This year P.A.D hosted its annual boat cruise on September 27th, and except for a few minor sna­fus, the evening went off without a hitch. Fine, fine, the busses were a tad late and the line to get on the boat moved a bit slow, and a jacket seemed to disappear. Thankfully, the festive spirit in the air seemed to indicate that these small set­backs didn’t put a damper the evening.

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Every year Phi Delta Phi sponsors a pumpkin carving event, and for the past two years we have been at the Spring Valley Center on Calumet- one of our in-town homeless shelters. There were about 15 kids this year, and each got to pick their pumpkin and draw a face. For many of the children, this may be one of only a few limited oppor­tunities at Halloween fun, and fun they had. Some were content with watching the volunteers do all the “hard work,” and others insisted on doing it all them­selves.

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Members of the Mock Trial team are preparing to com­pete November 10, 11 and 12 in the annual intraschool competition. This year’s fact pattern centers on Sam Worker. Worker has been charged with embezzlement of a beer recipe and two computer crimes.

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What is professionalism? Well, truthfully, you’ll know it when you see it and you’ll know it if you expect it and it’s not there. I personally like Candice Solie’s definition:”Professionalism is not defined by the position held. It is defined by who you are (inner character), what you do (behavior exhibited) and how others perceive you (image projected).”

Evaluations, Inc. E-professionalism, then, is a natural extension of professionalism to all things electronic. In fact, according to Tracy Evans, Director of Career Services at Louisiana State University Law Center, and Amy Gerwitz, Associate Director, Alumni Counseling and Relations, at Pace University School of Law, “Electronic professionalism encompasses so many different areas it is almost overwhelming at first.”

In today’s economy, you need all the help you can get to land a legal position. Don’t let your lack of e- professionalism ruin your chances. You must be diligent in making sure your professionalism is evident in what you do, what you say, and who you are in person, in print and online. According to Ms. Evans and Ms. Gerwitz (along with a few tips from yours truly!) here’s how you can accomplish your e-professionalism due diligence:

1. Do a regular online search of your name. If necessary, consider hiring a company to “clean up” your online image.

itor what is being said or posted about you.

3. Do record a professional voicemail message at home and on your cell phone. This includes a professional sounding ringtone on your cell phone.

A simple “Dear Mr./Ms. [last name]” if it’s an employer, alumni or other professional or “Hello [name] ,” will suffice if it’s someone with whom you are more familiar!

5. Do use professional online networks such as LinkedIn as a way to market yourself professionally.

6. Do make sure personal web pages are cleaned up.

7. Do use the internet to research potential employers, professionals or alumni so that you know something about them before you meet them.

8. Do follow up on electronic communications. They are not always reliable.

9. Do check your e-mail and voicemail on a regular basis. Have your valpo.edu mail forwarded to your gmail, yahoo, or other account so that you can receive important information concerning the law school.

10. Do use your work computer for professional uses only.

YouTube, etc. Also, make sure friends/family/co-workers/fellow students are

not posting inappropriate content that includes your name or picture.

profile settings are private that employers and others may not see them.

3. Don’t assume that employers are not conducting electronic background checks on you – they are.

4. Don’t over blog – make sure content is professional and DON’T blog about your employer.

5. Don’t put inappropriate content in your home or business e-mail.

6. Don’t have an inappropriate e-mail address and don’t use the same e-mail for your resume that you use for your online presence unless your online presence is completely appropriate and positive. Also, don’t give documents inappropriate names, especially those you may be sending to employers.

7. Don’t click send on an e-mail without double-checking to make sure you’re sending it to the correct recipient and without reading the content, especially for the “reply all” messages.

8. Don’t use capital letters (it means you’re shouting) in e-mail correspondence and don’t send multi-colored e-mails.

9. Don’t include quotes in your e-mail signature box. Or, if you do, have separate signature lines depending on who’s receiving the e-mail. If you keep your signature line basic, with just your name, title, employer, address, phone, fax and e-mail address, you won’t inadvertantly offend potential employers!

10. Don’t wear a Bluetooth accessory in a meeting, at a lunch, or in other business settings. Also, don’t set your cell phone on a desk, table, etc. when you’re meeting with an employer, alumni or other professional.

11. Don’t text in the middle of meetings, lunches, etc.

12. Don’t wear your iPod while working.

Should you have any questions about these tips or general questions about e-professionalism, please visit the Career Planning Center (Room 125) or contact our staff to make an appointment at (219) 465-7814 or careerplaning.law@valpo.edu

ness about women’s issues with specific emphasis this year on breast cancer and domestic violence.

On September 20, WLSA participated in Valparaiso University & United Way’s Day of Caring. WLSA co-sponsored the event with the Equal Justice Alliance (EJA) and the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at The Caring Place. WLSA had a great turnout for their inaugural WLSA “Golf Outing” on Tuesday, September 30, 2008. The event was held locally at Creekside Golf Course and Training Center in Valparaiso. Local LPGA teaching professional, Nancy Bender, along with some golfers from the law school, helped teach to participants how to tee-off and drive at the driving range. Creekside Golf Course is located at 2355 Clifford Road in Valpo. For more information about Bender, visit her website at: www.nancybender.us

port of the fight against breast cancer.

Families and friends are welcome to attend as well. WLSA will meet at the law school and carpool to Merrillville.

In mid to late October, WLSA will be sponsoring a Trivia Night in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event will be held at The Franklin House with lots of free food. Last year’s Trivia Night saw great turnout, and with the switch to a bigger location, WLSA is expecting this year’s event to be even better The cost is $5 per person (or $25 per team, with a max 5 people per team). The proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Further information will be provided through email and at next month’s meeting.

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“Night with the Professors” Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner in November, “Adopt-A-Family” in December, “Night with the Professionals” in January, “Celebration of Women and Diversity” in February, which may be co-sponsored with other VUSL student organizations, “Dress for Success” in March, which is a new event for WLSA this year, aimed at promoting the advancement of women in the workplace in our area, and “Sexual Assault Awareness” in April.

If students are interested in becoming a member of WLSA, it’s not too late to join the club! Dues are $10 for every member which covers yearly dues and includes a t-shirt, and may be paid by cash or check, made payable to WLSA. Although WLSA focuses on issues affecting women, men are welcome at all of our meetings and events. The WLSA executive board members have worked really hard to play some great events and are really excited about this upcoming year for WLSA. If you have any questions about WLSA or its events, please email any member of the exec board at: valpo.wlsa@gmail.com

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On November 5, 2008 the Valparaiso University School of Law Moot Court Society will host the 20th annual Judge Luther M. Swygert Memorial Moot Court Competition. Every year members of the Moot Court Society delve into areas of First Amendment law in this competition. This year’s topic involves academic freedom for professors, which is timely and of great interest to many.

Smith and Katie Staab). The field will be narrowed to the top four competitors who will perform in the final round on November 5th.

Judge John Tinder of the 7th Circuit, Justice Elizabeth Lacy of the Virginia Supreme Court, and Justice Debra Todd of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Members of the Moot Court Society include:

Gilfillan, Kirsten Haalboom, Brandon Hall, Sean Hatfield, Allison Horton, Milo Johnson, Jesse Lanshe, Joanna Lekkas, Elizabeth Madlem, Anthony Mayerhofer, Kathryn McEnery, Ashley Mills, Brett Mock, Amy Molloy, Erika Nelson, Steve Olsen, Nicholas Poteres, Abigail Rom, Heather Schaefer, Sameer Siddiqui, Jeff Speights, Arriel Stevens, Moses Suarez, Jessica Warren

Dear Faculty, Staff, and of course Students,

Welcome back for another year within the halls of Valparaiso University School of Law. To begin, I would like to welcome our new faculty and staff who have joined us this summer. I am confident that they, as all of our faculty and staff do, will contribute greatly to strengthening our education and experience, along with promoting the open door policy.

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By: Matthew Skilling, Mock Trial Secretary and Alumni Relations Chairperson

More than ten new members joined the Mock Trial team for the 2008-2009 season. Tamara Bershok, chairperson, is excited about the team’s prospect. “This is a really strong team and I think we can get back to national competitions,” said Bershok. Joining the 9 returning 3Ls were 10 new 2Ls. Read the rest of this entry »

By Brianna Schroeder, Executive Editor of Student Writing

Welcome to another year of law school! The summer proved to be a very busy one for the members of the Valparaiso University Law Review.

Under the leadership of Editor in Chief Carrie Flores, the Law Review’s group of editors worked tirelessly over the past several months to admit a new class of Notewriters into the Law Review. We are very excited to announce the Notewriters for Volume 43 of the Valparaiso University Law Review.

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The Valpo Law Democrats (VLD) welcome in the class of 2011! Welcome to law school in what proves to be a very exciting political season. I hope everyone had a chance to watch the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The messages of hope, courage and promise resounded in our leaders as we look to this historic election. The VLD are here to help you hit the pavement, and work for the party of change. In Indiana that means we’ll be supporting the full Democratic slate of candidates including among others Obama & Biden for President and Vice-President, Jill Long Thompson for Governor, and Peter Visclosky for U.S. House of Representatives. Now is the time to make sure you have your information to vote in November, whether that be changing your registration to Indiana, or obtaining your absentee ballot. Read the rest of this entry »