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Student
Professional Development
We offer one-on-one personal counseling for interview techniques, job search strategy, resume & cover letter editing, and many other relevant topics to help prepare students and alumni for the job market.
Career Development Programming
The Office of Professional Development offers programming to enhance professional development by providing presentations, panel discussions, networking opportunities, mock interviews, mentoring, information fairs and much more.
Mock Interviews
The Office of Professional Development recognizes that interviewing is a skill that can be developed to assist students in reaching their professional goals. The Office of Professional Development invites practitioners twice a year to participate in our mock interview program. Additionally, the Office of Professional Development can set up mock interviews with a member of our staff any time of year or we can set up informational interviews with alumni in geographic areas where students may wish to practice law upon graduation.
What They’re Saying
Individualized Career Counseling
The Office of Professional Development offers programming to enhance professional development by providing presentations, panel discussions, networking opportunities, mock interviews, mentoring, information fairs and much more.
Pro Bono Recognition Program
The Office of Professional Development (OPD) understands the value of community service. In addition to helping individuals in need and underserved populations, pro bono work allows students to develop necessary and important legal and practical skills. It is a rewarding opportunity to simultaneously make a recognizable difference in individual lives and marketable legal skills. OPD is committed to providing students with opportunities to use their legal skills to help underserved communities and populations.
Students who participate in this program will be recognized for their work through the Office of Professional Development Pro Bono Recognition Program. Interested students should visit the OPD.
Take the Florida Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Challenge
Ave Maria School of Law Pro Bono Recognition Program Fact Sheet
Watch Pro Bono Superstar Peter Valone
Ave Maria School of Law has approved a Pro Bono Recognition Program honoring students who volunteer 50 or more hours of time to pro bono legal work. The Pro Bono Recognition Program includes:
A notation on the student’s transcript.
Recognition by the Dean.
A graduation cord to wear at graduation.
To all 3Ls
If you plan to or want to participate in the Pro Bono Recognition Program please make sure to submit the Commitment, and Evaluation Forms, plus the hours’ log confirming your 50 hours of pro bono work per project to OPD@avemarialaw.edu or coglesby@avemarialaw.edu by March 31st. If you do not have any pro bono hours to date, there is still time to work towards obtaining pro bono hours. Reminder: You should not work more than 20 hours per week at a pro bono site/case.
To all 1Ls & 2Ls
To begin earning Pro Bono hours from Ave Maria School of Law you will need to complete the following on Symplicity:
- The Pro Bono Student Commitment form via Symplicity only.
- Once you begin work, you should track your hours on the hours log sheet found in the pro bono guide.
- Make sure to have the attorney supervisor sign the Hours’ Log sheet, and then you can submit via Symplicity only.
- Once the project is completed, you should complete the final evaluation form via Symplicity only.
In addition, 1Ls may work up to 10 hours per week only during the school year.
What is considered Pro Bono work?
- Legal or law-related work that is consistent with Catholic teaching on faith and morals as set forth by the Magisterium under the supervision of a licensed attorney and for which a student is not compensated, either with pay or with academic credit, AND
- Provides legal assistance to individuals of limited means or to charitable, religious, civic, community, governmental, and educational organizations that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means; OR
- Provides legal assistance to individuals, groups, or organizations seeking to secure or protect civilrights, civil liberties, or public rights, particularly those closely linked to AMSL mission, OR
- Provides legal assistance to charitable, civic, community, governmental, or educational organizations in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes, where the payment of standard legal fees would significantly deplete the organization’s economic resources or would otherwise be inappropriate.
Why is Pro Bono work important?
In addition to helping individuals in need and underserved populations, Pro Bono work allows you to develop necessary and important legal and practical skills. It is a rewarding opportunity to make a recognizable difference in individual’s lives and grow your marketable legal skills at the same time. In addition, the ABA and many state Bar Associations are placing increased importance on Pro Bono work. For instance, the New York State Bar requires 50 hours of Pro Bono work before licensing new attorneys.
When can Pro Bono work be completed?
Now! And as long as you complete 50 hours of Pro Bono work and submit all paperwork by March 31st of the student’s 3L year, you will be eligible for the Pro Bono Recognition Program.
How do I sign up for the Program?
Whether you use a placement site recommended by AMSL or you find your own placement site, you must visit the Office of Professional Development (OPD) to register for the program and make arrangements to log your Pro Bono hours.
For more information, please see OPD or email OPD@avemarialaw.edu or coglesby@avemarialaw.edu.
Florida Pro Bono Law School Challenge
Calling all Ave Maria Law Students!
The state of Florida Bar is seeking all law students to participate in its Florida Pro Bono Law School Challenge. Consider partnering with an Ave Maria Law Alumni to take on a pro bono project and help our law school take first place. Our alumni helped the school win the challenge for the prior two years. This is a great opportunity for Ave Law students to receive mentorship while assisting with cases that help Florida residents in need. You may also receive pro bono hours to apply towards the AMSL Pro Bono Recognition Program.
How does the Florida Pro Bono Law School Challenge work?
- The Challenge website matches law students with lawyers to partner on pro bono cases from legal aid organizations around our state.
- Please consider taking on one project every semester!
- Law schools with the most students participating, most alumni participating, and most matches of their students to their own alumni will be awarded annually during The Florida Bar annual convention.
- The Challenge site now runs as a year-round model, with cases available for matching 24/7/365.
- At the end of every semester, the Challenge resets and purges current interest forms. We know that law students are busy with exams, graduations and more, and taking a case may not be a priority once the semester has ended. This reset ensures that the cases available to lawyers are from students who are still interested and available.
Take the Florida Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Challenge
Learn How to Participate in the Ave Law Pro Bono Recognition Program
Job Postings
The Office of Professional Development uses Symplicity, an online career service management tool, to provide new job opportunities, participate in and signup for The Office of Professional Development programming and events, review resources in the document library and apply for on-campus recruitment.
Find a Job through Symplicity
Employers
Employers can post an available position by completing the Job Posting Template.