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American University Washington College of Law Lawyer Re-Entry Program
Reconnect, Refocus, and Reclaim Your Legal Career

The decision to re-enter the legal profession after an absence may feel daunting - but it needn't be so. The Washington College of Law Lawyer Re-Entry Program makes this transition a rewarding, exciting, and energizing process. This six-day program, with a two hour follow-up one-on-one coaching session, will prepare you to renew your legal career in a way that works for you, your life, and your family.

The faculty and career professionals who designed the program appreciate the work/life challenges many lawyers face. In the program, you will explore career options, update your knowledge, and refresh your job search skills. You will also work individually with a professional coach to help motivate and sustain your re-entry efforts. Washington College of Law's exceptional faculty, together with experts in the field of career and professional development, lead and facilitate this program.

The Program is co-sponsored by the Women's Bar Association of DC, the National Association of Women Lawyers, and the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project.

What you can expect:

• Instruction by Washington College of Law faculty
• Facilitation by leaders in the field of career and professional development
• Interactive and practical sessions
• One-on-one professional coaching
• Creation of an individual action plan for re-entry
• Opportunities to connect with peers who share similar backgrounds and work/life challenges

See the Washington Post Magazine story about the success of Amy Beckett, previous Lawyer Re-entry Program participant, and stories about the program in Washington Lawyer and in the Summer 2009 edition of The Advocate, the law school''s Alumni Magazine.

A Founder's Tradition

American University Washington College of Law has a unique history. Two pioneering women -Ellen Spencer Mussey and Emma Gillett-founded the school more than 100 years ago, at a time when women were generally excluded from the legal profession. The founders fostered a tradition of providing opportunities for women, and their extraordinary foresight and perseverance form the foundation of this law school.

To carry on our founders' mission and as a testament to their ideals and tenacity, Washington College of Law has developed a specialized program for lawyers who have temporarily put their careers on hold and now want to re-enter the legal profession. This program may particularly interest women lawyers-one-half of law school graduates-whose participation in the legal profession is vital. The program provides a gateway for women and men alike to reclaim their legal careers and contribute to the profession.

Participant Testimonials

"The Lawyer Reentry Program gave me the social connections to support me through the job search process. I really enjoyed meeting the participants and staff and appreciated the community with whom I could share my journey and then celebrate the success!"
     -- Kathleen Weber, Associate, Folks & O'Connor, PLLC, Phoenix, Arizona

"WCL's Lawyer Reentry Program and its great staff helped me refresh my legal research and writing skills, clarify my goals, update and revise my resume, and develop job vital search strategies. Equally important, the program fostered a warm atmosphere of connection, support, and possibility. No one can successfully reenter without help - both staff and my fellow participants have been invaluable sources of knowledge, advice, and encouragement."
     -- Debo West, re-entering attorney

"The program helped me focus - not just on searching for the sake of searching, but really focusing on what is important to me. The process really worked. I was recently selected for the position of Deputy Director, EEO for a federal agency. Equal Employment law is a first love of mine but I had not seriously considered returning to EEO law before joining this program."
     -- Carol Moulton, Director of the EEO Office for Veteran Affairs, Mid-Atlantic Region

"The Lawyer Re-Entry Program at American University gave me the tools I needed to feel comfortable with the practical realities of a job search. The resume review and interview skills portions of the program made the theoretical feel do-able. At the same time, meeting the other participants in the program reminded me that other intelligent, talented lawyers are grappling with similar circumstances. This was the catalyst I needed to re-cast my image of where I stand. I am not left behind on the "off-ramp" of some career highway. I am helping to blaze a new trail in the company of adept pioneers."
     -- Christine Newton, re-entering attorney

“WCL’s Lawyers’ Re-Entry Program provided the perfect blend of expert lectures, small-group exercises, opportunities for self-assessment, and follow-up one-on-one career counseling. Linda Mercurio’s skilled, energetic, sensitive leadership helped create an instant community of supportive allies. My stated goal last fall was to be one of the Program’s ‘success stories.’ Nine months later, I am pleased to report re-entry to a full-time associate position in downtown DC. I couldn’t have done it without the Program’s practical pointers, skills-building, and confidence boost.”
     --Amy Beckett, Associate, Passman & Kaplan, PC, Washington, DC

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