Reciprocity
WCL 3Ls and Alumni Seeking Reciprocity with Other Schools
Reciprocity allows WCL third year students and alumni to use resources from other law schools’ Career Services Offices/ Offices of Career & Professional Development. Third year students and alumni may receive reciprocity with law schools outside the Washington, DC metropolitan area and can do so at a rate of one school per three month period. Although each school has its own reciprocity policy, which typically involves a one-for-one exchange, requests for reciprocity must be initiated by WCL’s Office of Career and Professional Development.
Individual schools’ reciprocity policies can be found on this page of the NALP website: http://nalp.org/reciprocitypolicies?s=reciprocity. It is recommended that WCL students review the policies of the other school before requesting reciprocity, due to the fact that once students are granted reciprocity at one school WCL cannot make another request on the student’s behalf for a three month period.
To begin the reciprocity process by having the Office of Career and Professional Development contact a law school on your behalf, please utilize this link: Reciprocity Form
2Ls, 3Ls, and Alumni from Other Schools Seeking Reciprocity with WCL
The American University Washington College of Law Office of Career & Professional Development (OCPD) will provide use of its services to second and third year students or graduates of law schools outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area on the following terms:
- Services are available only to those law schools that allow American University Washington College of Law (AU/WCL) students and/or graduates similar services. Because of the popularity of the Washington, DC area, OCPD has been forced to adopt a restrictive approach to reciprocity. Generally, OCPD adheres to a "one for one" policy in granting use of its services to outside alumni. Exceptions, however, have been made in the case of graduates in certain geographic areas.
- Services are available to third year students or graduates for three months, beginning on the date of the first visit. Those offered reciprocal privileges at OCPD must sign in at the front desk of OCPD at the time of their visit(s). Reciprocal privileges should be used within three months to allow others from your school to take advantage of the same services.
- Requests for services must be made in writing, preferably via email, by an Office of Career & Professional Development official from your current or former law school at least seven days in advance of the visit. "Walk-in" requests will not be honored. Please email Lisa Yochelson in OCPD with these requests: yochelson@wcl.american.edu.
- Information about current job openings is available to a student and/or graduate of another law school only if that law school allows similar access to information for AU/WCL graduates and/or students. Students and alumni from schools that allow AU/WCL students similar access may utilize our online job database while in the OCPD resources library in suite 122.
- When visiting OCPD for the first time for reciprocity purposes, please bring a copy of the letter sent from your school to WC as well as a valid photo ID.
- Reciprocity will be offered throughout the year except during Fall On-Campus Recruitment season, July 15-November 15.
If you have any questions about the reciprocity process, please email Lisa Yochelson in OCPD at yochelson@wcl.american.edu.
Office of Career & Professional Development • American University Washington College of Law
4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 122 Washington, DC 20016 • 202-274-4090 F: 202-274-4096