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.
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.
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.
The timeline for 2L summer private sector employment across the legal industry has shifted earlier, and now occurs largely prior to the transfer admissions cycle. Hiring may continue subject to employer hiring needs. Because hiring after the transfer admissions cycle is limited, we strongly encourage transfer students to participate in their current law school’s 2L summer recruiting program. Incoming transfer students may work with OPSC counselors to utilize the Law School’s connections to the private sector and large alumni network.
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.
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.
Christine Drasba, Student Services Advisor, provides academic advising to students and supports the Student Services team with events and programming.
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!
