Eager to start making connections? As you begin your transition to Columbia Law School, you will be paired with a 3L transfer mentor—courtesy of the Transfer and Visiting Student Organization (TVSO)—who can help you navigate upcoming deadlines and the rest of your 2L year. You will also be able to meet fellow transfers at informal events hosted by TVSO, the first of which will directly follow orientation. Finally, you can also connect with one of the Law School's academic advisers.
Columbia Law has three dedicated career offices:
- Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers (PI/PS Office), which focuses on students interested in public interest, human rights, and government opportunities and careers, and manages our pro bono requirement
- Office of Judicial Careers (OJC), which assists students in preparing for postgraduate judicial clerkships, summer judicial internships, and careers in the judiciary
- Office of Private Sector Careers, which prepares students for careers in the private sector, including global law firms, corporate legal departments, and investment banking and consulting firms
You are welcome to participate in drop-in hours for any career office during Transfer Orientation or to make an individual appointment with a counselor via Symplicity.
Public Interest Careers
You will be eligible to participate in the Fall Virtual On-Campus Interview Program (OCI), which will include public interest and government employers for your class year. Over the summer, you will be able to submit your materials for Fall OCI through Symplicity. Interviews will start in late August and will take place online.
For questions pertaining to public sector employment and resume and application materials, visit the Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers' website.
Judicial Clerkships
Columbia Law School participates in the Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan, and the Office of Judicial Careers works closely with 2Ls, 3Ls, and alumni to prepare and submit strong judicial clerkship applications. In addition to holding judicial speaker events and programming on the nuts and bolts of applying, OJC’s counselors offer hundreds of 1:1 advising sessions each year. . For substantive resources pertaining to judicial clerkships, please email [email protected] to be added to our Courseworks page.
Private Sector Careers
Summer Interview Program (SIP)
The Office of Private Sector Careers’ (OPSC) Summer Interview Program (SIP), the lottery portion of the Summer Recruiting Program, will be held virtually from Tuesday, June 24-Thursday, June 26. To participate fully in SIP along with the rising 2L class, transfer students must be admitted to the Law School and also submit their deposit to the Office of Admissions one week prior to the start of SIP. However, we will make every effort to accommodate students admitted prior to June 20.
Interviews for SIP are assigned through a lottery system, in which students have up to 40 bids to rank their preferred employers. Students will be paired with an OPSC counselor, who will be available to help students with their job search and bidding strategy, understand OPSC resources and policies, update their resume and other application materials, and provide interview guidance.
Spring On-Campus Interview (OCI) Programs
In conjunction with the Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers, Columbia’s public sector advising office, our Fall and Spring OCI Programs provide 2L and 3L students with an opportunity to interview with law firms, corporations, government, and public interest organizations for summer and postgraduate positions. Interviews are held virtually from August through October in the fall, and in January through March in the spring.
*Transfer students are expected to inform their schools that they are now CLS students on the date they make their deposit, and therefore, such students are expected to participate only in CLS’ Interview Program.
Andrea Saavedra, Associate Dean for Registration and Student Services, manages both Registration and Student Services. From orientation to graduation, Andrea leads her teams in supporting students in all aspects from managing student organizations to helping guide you through course selection.
Jessica Valdes Jimenez, ‘04 Executive Director of Student Services, provides academic support and counseling, plans student-facing programming, and serves on various Law School Committees.
Jeffrey Bagares, Director of Operations, leads Student Services' business and finance operations, oversees event planning and contracts, provides guidance and oversight for the Law School's student organizations, and manages the course records system with Registration Services.
Jordan Carr, Associate Director for Academic Counseling, manages the Peer Mentor Program, student journals, and dual-degree advising (exclusive of our JD/MBAs, who will be supported by our colleague Jill Casal from Admissions).
Lauren Levy, Associate Director of Academic Counseling and Student Support, counsels students, oversees disability accommodations, and provides academic advising.
Bernice Jusino, Assistant Director of Student Services, is the contact for all student organization event listings and works closely with Associate Dean Saavedra to develop, establish, and maintain operational standards of the office to improve student experience and reduce inefficiencies.
Luke Christie, Assistant Director of Student Services, manages all aspects of on-campus housing and can help you explore the wide range of university housing options available, wellness programming, and supports student organizations and Student Services initiatives.
Mario Porras, Student Services Coordinator, processes invoices and requests from student organizations as well as student reimbursements, and supports Student Services programming.
Sarah Myrick-Pettersen, Student Services Coordinator, processes invoices for student organizations, oversees mail distribution for student organizations, and supports Student Services programming. With Mario, they also ensure that students are always welcomed to our suite with a smile and some snacks!
