Keynote Speaker

Ruth McFarlane ’03 is the Chief Advancement Officer at the Ms. Foundation for Women, where she oversees fund development and communications. Ruth previously served as the Director of Development & Community Engagement at the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Director of Programs at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. Prior to working in the nonprofit sector, Ruth practiced as an international tax and corporate transactions attorney at Linklaters LLP and Norton Rose Fulbright.

Welcome Reception

Join members of OutLaw, participating attorneys, and members of the Cornell LGBTQIA+ community for refreshments and appetizers in the Gallery following the Keynote.

Coffee Hour

Stop by The Commons for a cup of coffee and a pastry to start the day.

Self Care in the Legal Profession

Participants will learn about how to take care of themselves as attorneys to ensure their well-being.

Panelists:
Amanda Jantzi, ’10 – Title IX Coordinator, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Jessica Lam, JD ’17 – Associate
Matt Nelson, JD ’23 – Deputy State Public Defender, Colorado State Public Defender

Big Law Panel

This panel will discuss life as a Big Law attorney, including dialogue about the status of LGBTQ+ big law attorneys.

Panelists:
Dave Marshall, ’21 – Associate, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Ben Bussmann, ’21 – Associate
Marisa O’Gara, ’21 – Associate, Elias Law Group
Chan Tov McNamarah, ’19 – Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, Cornell Law

Public Interest Law Panel

This panel will discuss public interest work, including how to find these opportunities and what kind of work public interest attorneys may do. This will also include dialogue about the status of LGBTQ+ public interest attorneys.

Panelists:
Ruth McFarlane, ’03 – Chief Advancement Officer, Ms. Foundation for Women
Jason L. Steuerwald, ’23 – Assistant Public Defender, Dutchess County Public Defenders Office – Family Unit
Bryan Carr Olert, – Assistant Corporation Counsel, New York City Law Department
Jensen Russell Rode, ’22 – Frank H. T. Rhodes Public Interest Law Fellow, New York Legal Assistance Group, LGBTQ Law Unit

Clerkships and Fellowships

This panel will discuss how to land a clerkship or fellowship and what those positions entail.

Panelists:
Grace Carson, – Skadden Fellow, Tribal Law and Policy Institute
Alyssa Ertel, ’22 – Law Clerk, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Nola Booth, ’22 – Skadden Fellow and Staff Attorney, Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY)
I. India Thusi – Visiting Professor of Law, Cornell Law

Break for Lunch

Interview Tips

This panel will discuss re-centering yourself and your motivations throughout your career and the potential of career paths in the law. Participants will also hear about how to ace a legal interview.

Panelists:
Dave Marshall – Associate, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Temidayo Aganga-Williams, ’11 – Partner, Selendy Gay PLLC
Matt Nelson, ’23 – Deputy State Public Defender, Colorado State Public Defender
Chan Tov McNamarah, ’19 – Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, Cornell Law

Mock Interviews

Students will participate in mock interviews with participating attorneys throughout the law school and virtually.

Unwritten Rules

A panel of esteemed Cornell Law School alumni will share the inside scoop on unwritten rules, and why recognizing and understanding them are essential for success.

Panelists:
Moderator: Jared Ham, AB ’15, JD ’19 – Associate, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Ben Bussmann, JD ’21 – Associate
Jessica Lam, JD ’17 – Associate
Antonio Haynes, JD ’12 – Director, Litigation, Investigations and Employment, Evercore

Closing Remarks

Ophelia Bonar, Vice-President of OutLaw, will deliver closing remarks.