Career Services' Policies
The University of Tennessee College of Law is a member of the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) and subscribes to its "Principles and Standards for Law Placement and Recruitment Activities" regarding law schools, candidates and employers. Policies for students include: preparing thoroughly for the job search process; representing qualifications and interests fully and accurately; conducting oneself in a professional manner; notifying employers and career services staff of the acceptance or rejection of offers by the earliest possible time, and no later than the time established by rule, custom or agreement; honoring employment commitments; reporting any misrepresentation, discrimination or other abuse by employers in the employment process; and adhering to the same standards of conduct as lawyers. Students using the services of this office must agree to comply with these policies. (A detailed copy of these "Principles and Standards" is posted in Career Services.)
The University of Tennessee College of Law also participates in NALP's annual survey to obtain employment status and starting salary data for law graduates nationwide; the federal government as well requires the collection of certain employment information. Students are requested to provide this information when they accept post-graduate employment and to complete an employment survey at that time.
Students are required to honor all interview appointments for which they are chosen by employers to whom they have submitted resumes through either on-campus interviewing (OCI) or off-campus consortia, unless they have accepted another position by the time the interview is scheduled. Emergencies are the only exceptions and must be cleared with the Director. If a student misses a scheduled interview, s/he must send a letter to the employer explaining the circumstances, and a copy of the letter must be filed with Career Services. If this procedure is not followed, the student may face sanctions which could include loss of interviewing privileges through CS.
The maintenance and release of resumes and other student information is in keeping with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (the Buckley Amendment).
The Director will ask the Records Office to verify the accuracy of academic information included on resumes submitted to employers through Career Services. The Director also will seek verification of the accuracy of academic information upon request by employers who have received resumes directly from students. If there are discrepancies, the employer will be provided accurate information. To ensure the accuracy of all academic information, including GPA and statement of class rank, students are encouraged to submit a draft resume to Career Services for verification BEFORE submitting final versions to employers. Providing false academic information on a resume is a violation of the code of academic conduct of the College of Law.
Students not in good academic standing with the College of Law must disclose this status to potential employers.
Any student who has been subject to disciplinary action by The University of Tennessee Office of Student Judicial Affairs or who has committed academic dishonesty for which a penalty has been imposed is required to initiate a discussion of that action with the Director, which will center on the best way to present such information to potential employers. Participation in the activities and use of the resources provided by Career Services will not be available to disciplined students who refuse to participate in such a discussion, or who refuse to consent to the disclosure of such information to employers with whom they have contact.
The University of Tennessee College of Law is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) and subscribes to its policy against discrimination in employment based on age, gender, race, religion, marital or parental status, handicap, sexual orientation, veteran status, or national origin. Employers using the services of this office must agree to comply with this non-discrimination policy. Students who believe an interviewer using this office has not complied should notify the Career Services Director immediately.
Special Policy Regarding Adjunct Professors: Students should not enroll in a law school class taught by a representative of a legal employer with which the student has been employed, has interviewed with for employment, or plans to seek employment. If such a conflict cannot be avoided, the student should consult with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs immediately upon recognition of the conflict.
Career Services Links
- Alumni
- Current Students
- Employers
- Internet Resources
- Meet the Staff
- Prospective Students