The Black Law Student Association (BLSA), Latin American Law Student Association (LALSA), and Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) are pleased to host the 11th Annual Professional Development Bootcamp (“Bootcamp”) for their members. Bootcamp connects students with Cornell alumni in private practice and public interest practice throughout the United States to foster professional development skills, provide an opportunity for networking, and a venue for students to learn about a variety of practice areas and settings.
Dresscode:
Friday evening events: cocktail attire/semi-formal or business casual recommended.
Saturday daytime events: Business professional attire recommended.
Saturday evening Gala: formal or cocktail/semi-formal attire encouraged.
Friday, March 4
6:00 – 9:30 PM
Cornell University Statler Hotel
President’s Introduction, Welcome Reception, Dinner, and Affinity Group Roundtables
BLSA, LALSA, and NALSA President’s will welcome attorneys and students followed by a Welcome Reception. Dinner will be followed by Affinity Group Roundtables for BLSA, LALSA, and NALSA students and alums. This is an in-person only event.
Presidents
Monet Thomas, class of 2023, BLSA President
Emily Rivera, class of 2023, LALSA President
Katlin Bowers, class of 2023, NALSA President
Alumni Welcome
Professor Emmanuel Arnaud ’16, Cornell Law School
Dresscode: Cocktail attire/semi-formal or business casual recommended.
Saturday, March 5
8:00 – 10:00 AM
The Commons
Myron Taylor Hall
Welcome Coffee Hour
Coffee and pastries will be available in The Commons for Bootcamp participants.
8:45 – 8:55 AM
Landis Auditorium,
184 Myron Taylor Hall
9:00 – 9:40 AM
Landis Auditorium,
184 Myron Taylor Hall
Public Interest Panel
This panel will examine numerous areas of public interest, such as government and civil rights, and how students can direct their careers to pursue these areas. Participants will hear from a variety of panelists on their journey into this field and how they utilize the legal system to provide justice for others.
Panelists:
Cristina Quiñones-Betancourt ’14, Mobilization for Justice
Neil Corwin, U.S. Attorney’s Office
Ali Wright ’14, Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Gigi Modrich ’18, U.S. Department of the Interior
9:45 – 10:25 AM
Landis Auditorium,
184 Myron Taylor Hall
Clerkship Panel
“What do law clerks really do? Should I apply for a clerkship?” This panel will focus on the how, when, and why to apply to clerkships and how clerkships can be valuable to an attorney’s career. Participants will hear from past law clerks on their experiences working in chambers.
Panelist:
Emmanuel Arnaud ’16, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; US. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Marihug Cedeño ’13, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Carl Rizzi ’16, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Adebola (Bola) Olofin ’17, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
10:25 – 10:40 AM
Break
10:40 – 11:20 AM
Landis Auditorium,
184 Myron Taylor Hall
In-House Panel
“What is in-house and what does in-house counsel do?” This panel will provide insight on the exciting work of attorneys who are employed by a business to work in-house on its legal matters.
Panelists:
Christina McDonogh ’21, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Maria Fernandez ’92, Global Legal and Compliance Executive
Karen O’Neill Ocasio ’16, Government Affairs at T-Mobile
Nora Ali ’15, ZoomInfo
Adeola Oyelola, Amazon Web Services, Inc.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lunch
Bootcamp is pleased to feature Marihug Cedeño (JD’ 13), Trial Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice – Criminal Division, Fraud Section as our Keynote Speaker.
Grab and Go lunch will be available for participants in the Gallery.
12:30 – 1:10 PM
Landis Auditorium,
184 Myron Taylor Hall
Law Firm Panel
Whether you’re interested in litigation, transactional, intellectual property, or a new emerging area, this panel will provide a wealth of perspectives on working at a law firm and what this entails. Participants will hear from associates and partners who currently work at law firms on how they achieved their positions.
Panelists:
Michael Sliger ’08, Law Offices of Michael D. Sliger
Michael Eidel ’85, Partner, Fox Rothschild, LLP
Brittany Ruiz ’13, Partner, Latham & Watkins, LLP
Victor Flores ’21, Associate, Sidley Austin, LLP
1:20 – 2:00 PM
Landis Auditorium,
184 Myron Taylor Hall
Non-New York Market Panel
This panel will focus on the process of breaking into other legal markets outside of New York City.
Panelists:
Julia Giffin ’20, Washington, D.C.
Frank Sun ’17, Philadelphia, PA
Cristina Laramee’14, Miami, FL
Lizbeth Cordova ’19, Associate, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
2:30 – 3:40 PM
Hybrid: Virtually
and Myron Taylor Hall
Mock Interviews
Participants will participate in mock interviews with our volunteer attorneys and receive feedback in preparation for future job applications.
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Cornell University Statler Hotel
10th Anniversary Gala
Gather with BLSA, LALSA, and NALSA students, alums, and allies to celebrate Bootcamp, now in its 11th year (the 10th Anniversary Gala was not held last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Sponsors
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
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