Student Loan Repayment Awareness Week Has Arrived!  The Office of Public Interest is working with the Public Interest Student Coalition and Progressive People of Color Caucus to spread the word about the new federal Income-Based Repayment option, the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and WCL's Public Interest Loan Repayment Assistance Program (PILRAP).  Regardless of whether you are seeking private sector or public sector employment, these programs are likely to  impact how you repay your student loans.  Learn more at one of our programs, or stop by the table in the lobby.  The week concludes with a happy hour on Friday. (continued)

On Thursday, March 18, representatives from the Office of the Solicitor at the US Department of Labor will present a program on USAJobs (recent changes and tips for successfully using the system) and the federal job application process.  The attorney representatives will then give an overview of the Honors Program and internship opportunities and how to apply for jobs in the Solicitor’s Office.  They will also be able to answer your questions.  Registration is available on CareerLink.  Pizza will be provided to those who register.

On Tuesday, March 16, WCL will host DC Attorney General, Peter Nickles, for an information session about the DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG).  Students interested in learning about legal employment opportunities with OAG are invited to attend.  More information about Attorney General Nickles and OAG is available online.  Lunch will be provided to those who RSVP on Career Link.

On Tuesday, March 9 from 12-1:30pm EST, Equal Justice Works is hosting a webinar titled, “Getting Your Student Loans Forgiven: How government and nonprofit employees can earn public service loan forgiveness.”  A must attend for anyone with high student debt working for the government or a nonprofit, this free webinar explains how you can benefit from the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the most significant law affecting public service in a generation.  The webinar will be presented by Heather Jarvis, a national expert on student loan debt relief. (continued)

Washington College of Law Professor Steve Wermiel was recently quoted in a National Law Journal article about the potential for two U.S. Supreme Court vacancies this summer and the ensuing partisan gridlock.  Read Professor Wermiel's comments and the entire article here.

The Office of Public Interest is sponsoring a community service activity with SOME (So Others Might Eat) on Friday, February 5 from 6:45am-1:30pm.  Volunteers will spend time preparing and serving breakfast and lunch and interacting with the guests.  WCL has been a supporter of SOME during the annual In My Back Yard (IMBY) Public Service Day, and we are happy to return this winter to lend further assistance.  Learn more about SOME at http://www.some.org/. (continued)

Learn how you can get real client experience as a student attorney in the Clinical Program.  There will be a general information session Feb. 8 at 4 p.m. in Room 603 (all interested students welcome) as well as evening student sessions on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. in Room 415.  The Clinic’s online application period for Academic Year 2010-2011 runs February 8 – March 5.  Please see www.wcl.american.edu/clinical for more information about the Clinical Program.