Career Resources

Getting a first job or changing positions after receiving the LLM degree is a goal of students. Indeed, achieving a relatively better position than others seeking real estate careers is the main motivation of our students. While the Center advises students about career-related decisions and job-search strategies, students are encouraged to get acquainted with the resources and databases maintained by John Marshall's Career Services Office (CSO) and to talk to CSO staff about job searches and career advancement concerns. Among the many services available from the CSO are mock interviews and résumé review, which are especially helpful for those who begin the LLM program immediately after earning their JD degrees.

Networks and relationships help get jobs. Who you know or who knows of you can make a difference. Thus we advise students to identify and reconnect with the relationships and networks that they developed while undergraduates, while earning their JDs or while working. Networks and relationships are an important resource.  Additionally, bar associations and industry associations offer our students opportunities to meet real estate professionals and graduate business students.  Lambda Alpha International, CoreNet and the Eisenberg Foundation are among the organizations which have reached out to our students.

Certain Center students will also participate in the Real Estate Legal Practicum.  Through the Real Estate Legal Practicum, Center students have worked at offices such as Freeborn & Peters, Ticor Title, Motorola, Hinshaw & Culbertson, and Holland & Knight.  The Real Estate Legal Practicum gives full-time students an opportunity to complete an externship in a law firm, corporate law department, non-profit organization or government agency under the supervision of experienced commercial real estate practitioners.

The Center for Real Estate Law regularly partners with the CSO to present programs intended to help students better understand the career options open to real estate attorneys and learn about skills that will help advance their careers. Alumni of the LLM program and members of the adjunct faculty are often asked to speak at these popular programs.

In academic year 2008-2009, the Center started a series of networking programs with Networking 101:  Practical Tips for Converting a Cocktail Party into a Long-Term Network.  This hour-long session provided students with key tips on networking followed by a simulated cocktail party for students to practice these skills.  Dubbed the “Mocktail”, alumni and Advisory Board Members gave students productive feedback while getting to know the Center’s student body.

This series of networking programs continued in academic year 2009 – 2010 with two events: Networking 102:  Coffee Talk – The Informational Interview and Mastering the Meal:  How to Make the Most out of Networking Luncheons and Dinners.  These programs gave pointers on informational interviewing skills and tips for networking in an industry luncheon, respectively.  Both events were followed with interactive sessions where students were able to meet with alumni, Advisory Board Members, and real estate attorneys to practice networking skills.

Additionally, the Center has also held such events as Networking: The Foundation for a Successful Job Search, 7 Steps To Find Your Perfect Career by Dr. Margot Weinstein and a numerous programs on what real estate attorneys in different specialties do in the practice. 

For more information about the Center for Real Estate Law, please contact us or request information.