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.
In the coming weeks, you will receive messages from the career offices at the Law School and access to the career database, Symplicity. Columbia Law has three dedicated career offices:
- Social Justice Initiatives, which focuses on students interested in public interest and government careers and manages our pro bono requirement
- Office of Judicial Clerkships, which assists students in preparing for judicial clerkships and careers in the judiciary
- Office of Career Services, 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.
Public Interest Careers and Judicial Clerkships
You will be eligible to participate in the Fall On Campus Interview program, which will include public interest and government employers for your class year. You will be able to submit your materials for Fall OCI through Symplicity and interviews will be hosted in mid-September.
For questions pertaining to public sector employment and resume and application materials, visit the Social Justice Initiatives' website.
Columbia Law School participates in the judicial clerk hiring plan. OJC hosts extensive programming in the Fall and Spring to prepare students to apply for judicial clerkships following the second semester of their 2L year. For questions pertaining to judicial clerkships, visit the OJC website.
Private Sector Careers
Early Interview Program (EIP)
Columbia’s primary recruitment program for private sector employers is known as the Early Interview Program (EIP). EIP, sponsored by the Office of Career Services and Professional Development, will take place virtually from July 28 through August 2. If you are intending to seek legal employment in a law firm for next summer, it is important that you participate in EIP.
- Bidding: Interviews are assigned through a lottery system, in which students have up to 40 bids to rank their preferred employers in order of preference. Columbia does not allow EIP employers to pre-screen applicants. All of this is done using Symplicity, our Career Services database. Transfer students are included in the bidding lottery with all the other students. Students will be assigned to an OCS counselor and given access to Symplicity to input their bids.
- Resume and Bid List Review: Transfer students can work with their OCS counselor regarding their resume and EIP bid list.
- Resources: Transfer students should work with their OCS counselor to best use and understand OCS resources and policies.
Important Dates:
- Practice Interview Program, July 20: To help you prepare for EIP, we arrange for attorneys from New York City law firms to provide virtual mock interviews. Transfer students are eligible for and encouraged to participate in this program.
- EIP Kickoff Event: Details to be confirmed.
Fall and Spring On-Campus Interview (OCI) Programs
In conjunction with Social Justice Initiatives, 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 in August, September and October in the Fall, and in February and March in the Spring.
*Transfer students are expected to inform their schools on the date they make their deposit at CLS that they are now students at CLS and therefore, such students are expected to participate only in CLS’ Interview Programs
Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Associate Dean of Student and Registration Services, leads both Student and Registration Services teams, spearheads Orientation, Graduation, and the Lawyers, Community, and Impact Series, and supports our students throughout their Law School experience.
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.
Lillian Ringel, Associate Director for Academic Counseling and Student Support, is the law school liaison for the Office of Disability Services, oversees the 1L Skills and Strategies sessions, and provides academic support.
Jordan Carr, Assistant Director for Academic Counseling, manages the Peer Mentor Program, student journals, wellness programming, international student advising, and community service projects.
Bernice Jusino, Senior Student Services Coordinator, is the contact for all student organization event listings on the Law School calendar and is the heart of the Student Services team.
Renee Dixon, Student Services Coordinator, oversees room assignments and provides administrative support for the Law School's student organizations, staff, and faculty.
Adrienne Leon, Housing and Student Life Manager, manages all aspects of on-campus housing and can help you explore the wide range of university housing options available, and oversees our marketing and digital communications.
Joel Kosman, Academic Advising and Wellness Coach, leads Student Services’ Health and Wellness efforts and supports our academic advising.
