By Lisa Barnum, Career Services Recruiting Coordinator
Thomas Jefferson School of Law hosted the 1st Annual ACC In-House Counsel Day on Saturday, September 21. The event was co-sponsored by the Association of Corporate Counsel, Thomas Jefferson School of Law and California Western School of Law.
Adjunct Professor and Vice President, Programs at San Diego ACC, Randy Berholtz, opened the event by providing a welcoming address via Skype and encouraging future participation on behalf of the schools and the employers to make this an annual event.
Following Professor Berholtz, Janine Sarti, President at San Diego ACC and General Counsel of Palomar Health, spoke and encouraged employers to participate in legal internship programs at the schools and gave two examples of a student and a recent graduate who currently work with her and how both the company and the student benefitted. She also encouraged students to find their dream and apply for in-house counsel positions after graduation.
Professor Steve Semeraro welcomed everybody to Thomas Jefferson and stressed the importance of gaining experience through internships and the clinical programs. Following the introductions there were three panels which focused on in-school internships, summer jobs, and direct hiring into local companies. Local attorneys shared their individual and inspiring stories of the paths of their careers and how it led them to be in-house.
The highlight of the program was the keynote speaker, William Sailer, Senior Vice-President & Legal Counsel at Qualcomm. He spoke of his background and how that path brought him to Qualcomm. He also shared the benefits of working in-house and what it takes to be a successful attorney.
Approximately 90 students and 12 employers attended the three panel sessions, which were geared toward fostering relationships between the students and the employers.
The event successfully concluded with lunch and a networking reception on the 8th floor. Randy Reliford, Associate Director of Career Services, stated “It was encouraging to see such a great turnout from the students and in-house counsel employers. I think the students really grasped the importance of networking and understand how great an opportunity to intern in-house can be.”
