Career Services Office at Case Western Reserve University School of Law

CSWU School of Law students and alumni rely on the CSO for a breadth of services, the most crucial being one-on-one career counseling. While the CSO upholds an open-door policy and welcomes walk-in visits, some issues require a scheduled appointment. However, students can meet with the CSO's attorney- counselors as frequently as necessary to create a job search strategy. Individualized meetings can also cover other aspects of career planning, such as application processes, resume and cover-letter development, practice area exploration, career options exploration, and interview preparation. Counselors can also provide students with information concerning the job market, as well as information on particular employers. Meetings can be arranged in person, online, through e-mail, or over the phone. The office is open every weekday from 8:30 in the morning until 5:00 in the evening.

The CSO also provides job search resources to the school's students and law school graduates, both through the Resource Room and online. The Resource Room boasts a significant collection of hard copy reference materials, including informational handouts, binders of fellowship and clerkship opportunities, salary and practice area reports, legal periodicals, and more. Additionally, CSO's Resource Room has a lending library with books that address legal practice options, interview preparation information, and general advice for job seekers. Students can also access the room's fax machine, computer, copier, and telephone for use in job search activities. Students can access further materials through CSOonline. The site offers news on approaching programs and job fairs as well as access to useful external resources.


More than 40 various CSO-run programs are offered every year. These programs cover a myriad of topics that include, but are not limited to, practice areas choices, career development, e-professionalism, interviewing, and resume and cover letter workshops. The programs specialize in providing ''insider information'' and draw from the knowledge and experience of practicing attorneys and others in the legal field.

The CSO brings jobs opportunities to its students and alumni through its job postings board at CSOonline as well as through its formal interview programs, which are offered twice every year. Job postings, which are offered through Symplicity are updated each and every weekday. Many employers choose to obtain a registered account for job posting and application retrieval purposes.

For those who wish to reach employers in a more direct manner, the CSO offers fall and spring interview programs, which provide on-campus interview options, as well as resume collect/direct opportunities. Additionally, the Fall Interview Program offers off-campus interview programs in New York City; Boston; Washington, DC; and Southern California. Employers pre-qualify and pre-select all potential hires before the interview sessions. The CSO will gather and send resumes to employers who cannot attend the formal interview sessions. The resume direct service allows employers to collect resumes straight from the students at the fall and spring interview programs. Information about positions with resume direct companies or firms will be announced by the CSO prior to the program dates.

To further serve the job development needs of students and alumni, reciprocity applications are available through the CSO, thus enabling students to use career services centers at other schools. This opportunity is best suited for those researching employment outside of the greater Cleveland area.

CWRU School of Law graduates may also use the Alumni database and the Case Connections Network database, to reach other alumni who may be able to provide information on a certain practice area or about a certain geographic location.

Just recently, the CSO introduced its short-term employment program, known as the CWRULawSTEP Program. The program caters to employers who many not have the budget or need to take on a full-time employee but have periodical project or short-term needs. This draws in additional work opportunities for students and alumni, while simultaneously serving the needs of the individual employer.