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ABAS
Reaching Out
The purpose of this gathering was to reinforce to law students that ABAS is committed to their success both in law school and in their employment objectives. This was also an opportunity for ABAS President Russell Hom to convey not only the message that ABAS is committed to their success but more importantly how the organization can serve as a valuable resource to assist them in their professional endeavors. Students were invited to attend the Diversity Career Forum, the Unity Bar Dinner and the quarterly ABAS mixers. ABAS Law School Liaison Chair Julie Weng-Gutierrez outlined the mentor program and other upcoming events. The students expressed enthusiasm over the ABAS Mentor Program and the various ABAS-sponsored scholarship opportunities that are available over the next year. ABAS has also instituted a mock interview program where students can experience the job interview process and then be critiqued by the interviewer. Enthusiasm was shared by ABAS members many of whom considered this to be one of the most rewarding events of the year. A similar event followed for McGeorge and Lincoln Law School students. The Unity Bar Association held the Second Annual Diversity Career Forum on September 20, 2001. Sacramento area law students and attorneys looking for possible career changes met with numerous government employers and many major area law firms to explore employment prospects. This year's forum was held at the U.S. Federal Courthouse. Following the forum, attendees and employers mingled at a reception held in the courthouse rotunda. The reception was hosted by the Unity Bar Associations: ABAS, La Raza, Wiley Manuel, SacLegal and WLS. The forum provided a unique opportunity to explore different areas of legal practice. Many resumes exchanged hands and important employment contacts were developed. The effort that ABAS makes towards supporting our future lawyers is clearly appreciated by the students. More importantly, such efforts demonstrate to the students that the legal profession is not a one way street. We get out of the profession what we put into the profession and what we put back into our community. Many of the law students expressed their desire to start this process now. Although the forum's focus is on employment and fulfilling occupational dreams, it was rewarding to hear several of the students inquire about how they as students can become involved in community based projects. We lead by example. These students are clearly on the right track. |
As
a prelude to the 2002
Unity Bar Diversity Career Forum and to note the start of the
new school year, ABAS hosted a mixer for law students attending
King Hall at Fusions Asian Bistro in Davis. Attendees dined on
samosas, dumplings and Korean short ribs. The standing room only
event permitted law students to meet informally with ABAS members.
Attorneys fielded questions ranging from specifics about the actual
practice of law to the employment situation in the near future.