Events
Volunteer
How You Can Get Involved
As the only law school in the city, St. Mary’s Law takes seriously the obligation to serve the city, the bench and bar, and acts as a legal resource for the greater legal community. If you want to get involved with assisting St. Mary’s Law students or the community, read about more ways in which you can help down below, or fill out a volunteer form.
Get Involved with the Office of Career Strategy
In partnership with Alumni Relations, the Office of Career Strategy has rolled out a number of initiatives to ensure our students receive enriching experiences year-round. You can play a role in transforming our students into the strong leaders and professionals for which St. Mary’s Law is known.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH OCS
1L MOCK INTERVIEW PROGRAM
Conduct a virtual mock interview as part of the annual 1L Mock Interview Program held each spring semester. In one hour, you can help two students improve their interviewing skills as they prepare for their summer job interviews. (You may even find some prospective hires for your office.)
CAREER PROGRAMS
Participate in OCS programs focused on a variety of practice areas and employment settings. These events foster casual conversation and meaningful connections with our students.
LAWYER LINK
Provide one-time advice to students on practice trends, geographic markets and other career-related topics via email, Zoom or a short phone conversation. It’s a minimal time commitment with a big impact. Complete the Lawyer Link form.
MEET THE EMPLOYER MONDAY: IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL OPTIONS
Connect with students through informal tabling in the Law Classroom Building or via Zoom. For the in-person option, feel free to bring a tablecloth, promotional materials, coffee or pre-packaged snacks. Virtual participants receive individual breakout rooms for student interactions.
MENTOR CIRCLES
Come together with law students in a confidential, small-group setting to discuss different practice areas and work settings, real-world ethical dilemmas, career strategies and other career-enhancing topics not typically addressed in the classroom.
TABLE TALK TUESDAY
Table Talk Tuesday is a recurring casual networking event where students connect with attorneys to learn about legal career paths in the featured practice area. During this hour-long gathering, students rotate freely among high tables, practicing professional conversations. Attorneys need only bring themselves and perhaps business cards to participate in this valuable relationship-building opportunity.
Get Involved with the Pro Bono Program
St. Mary’s Law offers a number of volunteer opportunities for alumni who wish to help our students and the greater San Antonio community. Here are a few ways you can get involved.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE PRO BONO PROGRAM
Lone Star Legal Aid
Lone Star Legal Aid, which covers Waco to Beaumont, including Houston, helps provide the rural community with access to legal assistance through our St. Mary’s attorneys and law students. Volunteers will prepare wills and medical directives for these clients, many of whom are veterans or elderly.
Support our Community Partners
The St. Mary’s University School of Law has partnered with the San Antonio Legal Services Association (SALSA) for a new initiative. The Tenants’ Rights Program is looking for volunteer attorneys who can help address the expected increase in evictions, displacement and homelessness in the aftermath of COVID-19. SALSA is also looking for attorneys who can participate in bi-weekly remote clinics at Audie Murphy VA Hospital.
Volunteer with the SALSA FEMA Appeals Project
Bexar County residents impacted by the February snowstorm have the right to appeal FEMA’s denial of their application for assistance or seek additional monetary assistance. The appeal must made in writing – not by email – within 60 days of the date on their FEMA decision letter. The average volunteer time commitment per appeal is 5 hours. SALSA will provide training resources, including training videos and appeal templates, and support from mentors, to assist lawyers who may not traditionally practice in this area.
Sign up here by March 15, 2021.
Host a reception for students attending Alternative Spring Break
Every year, students of St. Mary’s Law will travel across the state and country to spend their Spring Break serving the local community through pro bono work. During this week of service, area alumni are invited to a small reception to get to know our students.
Get Involved with the Advocacy Program
The St. Mary’s Law Advocacy Program hosts competitions throughout the academic year, the largest of which is the Lone Star Classic. Our students are always looking for volunteer judges to help make these competitions a success. Last year, St. Mary’s Law hosted guest schools such as Harvard Law, Loyola Law, Stetson Law and Emory Law.
Get Involved with Law Success
As part of the Law Success curriculum, all students are required to give a 15-minute presentation to a practicing attorney on a legal research topic. This project is meant to simulate the type of work a summer associate or new lawyer might do. Many of our students have never worked in a law office or had any experience communicating as a legal professional. You can help by volunteering your time for “supervisor meetings” to evaluate these student presentations.