Friday, March 7, and Saturday, March 8, 2025

The Black Law Student Association (BLSA), Latin American Law Student Association (LALSA), and Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) are pleased to host the 14th 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.

Please check back for more information soon!

Friday, March 7

Attire: Business Formal

6:00 – 9:00 PM
Cornell University Statler Hotel

Welcome Reception

BLSA, LALSA, and NALSA student leaders will welcome attorneys and students with a reception.

Saturday, March 8

Attire: Business Formal

9:00-10:00 AM
The Gallery
Myron Taylor Hall

Check-in and Breakfast

BLSA, LALSA, and NALSA will welcome students and attorneys to the day’s programming.

10:00-10:20 AM
Landis Auditorium,
184 Myron Taylor Hall

Keynote Speaker

Remarks from Derril Jordan (JD ’87)

10:30-11:45 AM
Panel Session 1 Concurrent Sessions

New York City Big Law + Unwritten Rules of Big Law

Attorneys at law firms with an array of practices will present on their experiences and career trajectories in the New York City market. Big Law attorneys discuss some of the unwritten best practices for managing life within a law firm and will present on their personal experiences.

Katarina Delgado (Litigation Associate, Gibson Dunn, JD ‘22)

Dan Rosales (Senior Associate IP, Mayer Brown, JD ‘15)

Federico Giustini (Asset Management Associate, Ropes & Gray, JD ‘21)

Marie Cain (Simpson Thacher, JD ‘23)

Public Interest

Attorneys in public interest jobs with a wide array of practice will present on their experiences and career trajectories.

Keisha Hudson (Defender Association of Philadelphia, JD ‘02 )

Victoria Inojosa (N Distr. TX Public Defender, JD ‘19)

Fabien Smallwood (Kings County DA, JD ‘18)

Krsna Avila (Path2Papers, JD, ‘17)

Alternative Markets in Big Law + Unwritten Rules of Big Law

Attorneys at law firms with a wide array of practice outside the New York City Market will present on their experiences and career trajectories. Big Law attorneys discuss some of the unwritten best practices for managing life within a law firm and will present on their personal experiences.

Andrew Maury (Americas Energy, Infrastructure, Project, and Asset Finance Practice Associate, White & Case, Miami, JD ‘18)

Don Izekor (Capital Markets Assoicate, Latham & Watkins, Austin, JD ‘23)

Vincent Johnson (M&A and Private Equity Associate, Fried Frank, DC)

Amber Pirson (Litigation and Dispute Resolution Associate, Clifford Chance, DC, JD ‘23)

12:00-1:15 PM
Panel Session 2 Concurrent Sessions

Clerkships

Former and current judicial clerks, including Cornell’s Director of Judicial Clerkships, will present on their experiences and the values of clerkships.

Seantyel Hardy (US Court of Appeals Philadelphia, JD ‘18)

West Overstreet (Supreme Court of New York, JD ‘20)

Rafi Stern (Director of Clerkships, JD ’17)

Emily Rivera (US District Court DC, JD ‘23)

Alternative Careers

Attorneys who have found successful careers outside of the Big Law will present on their experiences and career trajectory.

Emily Harwell (Litigation Associate, Lieff Cabraser, JD ‘22)

Pradine Saint-Fort (Pro Bono Counsel, Paul Weiss, JD ’10)

Emmanuel Hiram Arnaud (Professor at Cardozo Law, JD ’16)

Andrew Lacy (Owner, Employment Law Firm, JD ’15)

1:15-2:15 PM The Gallery Myron Taylor Hall

Lunch

2:15-3:30 PM Panel Session 3

What Recruiters Are Looking For

Legal Recruiters in multiple law firms will discuss what they look for in candidates and what will help students stand out in 2L recruiting.

Donna Harris (Cleary Gottlieb)

Leslie Richards-Yellen (Sidley Austin, JD ’84)

3:45-4:45 PM
Held throughout Cornell Law School

Mock interviews

Attorney volunteers will conduct one-on-one mock interviews and provide feedback to participating students

4:50-5:00 pm
Landis Auditorium, 184 Myron Taylor Hall

Closing remarks

BLSA, LALSA, and NALSA student leaders will deliver closing remarks.

5:30-7:30 pm
Northstar Public House,
202 E Falls St, Ithaca, NY 14850

Reception at Northstar Public House (off-campus)

Socialize and network with students and attorneys as we conclude Bootcamp. Transportation to Northstar Public House will be provided by Swarthout Coaches.

Guest Information

Getting around Ithaca. Many hotels offer shuttles from the airport, including the Statler Hotel from 7:00 AM to 11:30 PM daily. Check with the front desk of your hotel to arrange transportation. TCAT now has a Google Trip planner to assist with getting from the airport or downtown to campus. Uber and Lyft are also available throughout Ithaca.

Parking at the Statler. Valet parking and self-parking are available at or near the Statler Hotel.

Parking at the Law School. Parking is available in several lots directly behind the Law School and no permit is required after 5 PM on Friday. If you are planning to visit the Law School during the day on Friday, you can pay to park utilizing Park Mobile spaces on-campus or park at the nearby municipal lot in Collegetown.

Sponsors

Email cls_studentactivites@cornell.edu to learn how to sponsor our Student Career Days today!