Some thoughts on the fall recruiting season

(Posted by Nancy Rapoport)

For those of you who are 2Ls (or 3Ls, or 4Ls), the fall recruiting season has its highs and lows (as I vaguely remember from my own experiences, mostly lows), and I just wanted to pass along a few thoughts:

1. Most people, at most law schools, don't get their first jobs through OCI. OCI interviews screen for a very small group of people: those in a certain percentage of the class who are good at taking law school exams. Even for this small group of people, getting an interview doesn't meet getting the job--or even being successful at the job if hired. If you're not getting interviews through OCI, don't overstress. Regroup. Think of other ways to make connections with lawyers. Look for Boyd alumni who participated in the same activities that you did. Network like mad. (RELS is a great way to network.)

2. Don't link your self-esteem to your interviewing success (or lack thereof). Law school wreaks havoc on self-esteem anyway, so don't add to the problem by basing your sense of self-worth on whether you get many interviews with big firms. (The secret to success isn't getting the job that's right for someone else. The secret to success is finding the job that's right for you.) And, for many people, large law firm life isn't for them. Large law firms interview during fall OCI. Therefore, the secret for your success may well lie outside OCI.

3. Don't assume that, if you do get lots of interviews during OCI, you're somehow "better than" your peers. I still remember those people who were obnoxious during the Fall 1983 interview season. I didn't like them then, and I wouldn't go out of my way for them now. Considering how many of us have ended in good careers, with lots of opportunities for referrals to colleagues, the way that a person behaved in law school can have decades worth of career ramifications.

4. The factors that have the most effect on workplace success include the ability to communicate well, the ability to analyze well, hard work, the ability to integrate disparate ideas into a coherent plan, and the ability to use emotional intelligence to work well with a variety of people. What doesn't matter as much? Class rank; where one attended college or law school; or how many interviews one chalked up.

In short: treat your colleagues with the same care with which you'd want them to treat you. Years later, they'll still remember whether you were helpful, kind, and fair. Law school is stressful enough without adding destructive behavior to it.

The Gordon Silver Lecture Series Presents: Rory Reid

Do not miss close friend of the RELS, Rory Reid, addressing the Law School on Tuesday, September 30. Socializing will begin around 12:00 and Rory will begin his address a little after 12:30, 1L's will have plenty of time to make it after their 12:25 class. RELS members who attend the event are welcome to a free meal at Chipotle following Rory's remarks.
Rory was raised in Las Vegas and received his Juris Doctorate in 1988 from BYU. At 30 he became the senior vice president and general counsel of the Lady Luck Casino. After his tenure as corporate counsel, he became a shareholder at Lionel Sawyer & Collins. He served as the chairperson for the Nevada Democratic Committee and is currently serving as Clark County Commission Chairperson. Las Vegas Life magazine recently named Rory “Best Upcoming Politician in Southern Nevada.” A poll of 601 voters was recently conducted to determine who would likely be the next Governor. Rory was the clear favorite, beating likely candidates Jim Gibbons and Barbara Buckley by a fair margin. Currently the only contender that would give Rory a run for his money is the current Mayor of Las Vegas and RELS member Oscar Goodman. RELS members may recall that the first time Oscar publicly declared his desire for a possible 2010 gubernatorial run was to the RELS last spring. Do not miss this event.

On 9/30 all RELS members who attend the Gordon Silver Lecture Series featuring Rory Reid will eat at Chipotle for free. Be sure to get your name on the list and after the event visit Chipotle for a free meal. Offer is only valid on 9/30 at the Chipotle location across the street from the school. If you still need to pay your RELS dues ($10 for students, $20 for all others) do not despair, you can do it on Tuesday.

UNLV v. UNR

We hope you can all make it out to the UNLV v. UNR game this Saturday. The tailgate party is sponsored by PAD & SELA and will begin at 3:00. Students get one free ticket and a second on for $12. Food & drink is free if you are a PAD member and only $5 if you are not. The game kicks off at 7:00. Don't forget to wear your rebel red. See you when you get there. www.UNLVTickets.com

Obama Visits Sin City

Barack Obama visited our fair city last week and many students were able to attend. Follow the link to see Nathan Ring bash Soccer Moms, Communication majors, and Senior Citizens. The Wise Words of Nate Ring.

Mi Ruca's

The Hispanic National Bar Association, a 38,000-member nonprofit group, just named La Voz student organization of the year. The RELS congratulate La Voz for their tireless work and dedication. Hasta la Victoria! www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/sep/19/hispanic-law-students-help-others/"

The Night Students Have Not Been Forgotten

By popular demand, the RELS will have a membership drive for the night students on 9/23 from 6-6:15 in room 102. This is right before Professor Rapoport's contracts class and in the same room. We hope all interested night students will be there.

A Night At The Opera

Contracts made easy, compliments of the Marx Brothers.

Don't miss Gordon & Silver on Wednesday, September 17th from 12-1. Gerald M. Gordon and Jeffrey A. Silver, Founding Partners of Gordon & Silver will speak about their unique career paths which led to the establishment of one of Nevada's oldest and largest law firms. Helping to shape the legal landscape in Nevada for more than 40 years, the law office of Gordon Silver has been trusted by civic leaders, major financial institutions, hotel/casinos, and business enterprises to provide expert legal counsel, help overcome challenges and realize their goals. As one of Nevada’s oldest and largest law firms, Gordon Silver has continued to develop and grow much like the state itself. The firm’s roots run deep and its reputation is well known. Today, Gordon Silver is an accomplished and impressive full-service law firm that takes great pride in its ability to attract and retain top attorneys. Gordon Silver holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest “A-V” rating for ethical standards and legal ability – a significant accomplishment demonstrating the highest level of professional excellence. Gordon Silver attorneys are consistently recognized for their expertise and ability with a string of accolades that includes ongoing listings among Mountain State Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA.

Join Our Gang

The wait is over, the 08-09 season of the RELS will officially commence on 9/11 at 12:10 in room 110. Our membership drive meeting will offically kick off what will be the most ambitious RELS year ever. Yes, food will be served. No, it will not be provided by Sodexho. Door prizes will be given away, fortunes will be won and lost, secrets of the universe will unravel before your eyes, Heaven and Earth will collide, but would you expect anything less from the RELS?

The RELS Meet With Kim Sinatra

A small group of RELS met with General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Wynn Resorts, Kim Sinatra. Ms. Sinatra had previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (formerly Park Place Entertainment, Inc.). She has also served as General Counsel for The Griffin Group, Inc., Merv Griffin's investment management company, and as a partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Ms. Sinatra started her career as a real estate attorney and gave excellent advice regarding career paths. She also shared some interesting experiences that she has had as an attorney including doing deals with Donald Trump and helping her clients purchase and sell companies such as Gucci. Ms. Sinatra was extremely generous with her time and the RELS are fourtunate to have her as their newest friend. Look for a closer relationship between the RELS and Wynn Resorts in the near future.

Welcome to the OC (i)

Whats up with the cheap suits everywhere? It must be OCI, that wonderful time of the year when law students explain to potential employers what their greatest weakness is. Good luck to all of you who are participating. The correct answer is, either I work too hard, or I care too much. The wrong answer is, chocolate, Gucci, or The Back Street Boys.