2021 Recruitment Programs

New Dates Scheduled for January, 2021

We are pleased to announce the following dates for GW Law's Recruiting Programs:

New York Regional Interview Program: Monday, January 25, 2021

On-Campus Interviews (OCI): Thursday, January 28, 2021 - Saturday, January 30, 2021

These dates were selected to minimize class disruption and are in keeping with many other law schools who have also moved their recruiting programs to this timeframe. In addition, the Dean’s Office has advised us that second-year law students will have Fall semester grades in time to submit transcripts during the application process. GW Law students will be well-positioned to demonstrate their value to employers and we expect robust employer participation. 

Our recruiting programs provide students with the opportunity to interview for positions for the Summer of 2021. While the majority of employer participants are large law firms, others may include public sector and private industry employers.

We appreciate that January is a long way off but would like to encourage you to start your preparation this summer. Please take advantage of this time to research employers and polish your application materials. Career counselors are eager to work with you on this process. Resources include:

  • GW Law Career Center Practice Area Spotlight Series - Active Practice Areas in the Current Legal Market: The Career Center is conducting a series of live video presentations on practice areas that are active now in the time of COVID-19. In each of the presentations, which will be recorded, a counselor from the Career Center will interview a GW Law alum who is practicing in the field. Go to Events in CORE to register for upcoming programs. Recordings of past programs can be found in the CORE Resource Library.
  • What to Expect at OCI: The Career Center will offer several webcasts over the summer to provide tips on application preparation, virtual interviews, employer research, and logistics. Please be on alert for emails with dates and times. They will also be posted in CORE when scheduled.
  • Counseling Appointments: You may schedule a counseling appointment online or by calling our office at 202-994-7340. Counselors are available during the summer to review application materials, discuss interview strategy, and provide mock interviews.
  • CORE Resource Library: The Resource Library in CORE has practice area and practice setting information, interview tips, application material samples and guidelines, and recordings of Career Center programs and many other useful resources.

Recruitment Programs Overview

OCI Program: January 28 – 30, 2021 | Westin Georgetown Hotel

The On-Campus Interview (OCI) Program will run from January 28-30, 2021. Interviews will take place at the Westin Georgetown Hotel (2350 M Street, NW).  Students can expect to be involved in call-back interviews for the weeks following OCI in February.  Please keep these dates in mind:

  • Application Period Opens: December 16, 2020
  • Application Deadline: January 8, 2021
  • Students Notified of Status: January 21, 2021
  • Student Interview Scheduling Opens: January 21, 2021
  • Student Interview Scheduling Closes: January 22, 2021

In addition, some employers will conduct interviews either in their DC-area office, virtually, or at the GW Law Career Center in August and September.

New York Program: Monday, January 25, 2021 | The Benjamin Hotel

GW Law will host an exclusive Regional Recruitment Program in New York on Monday, January 25, 2021. This program is open only to GW Law students and are a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to working in New York. Students are responsible for their own travel/accommodations and can expect to be involved in call-back interviews for the weeks following the program.

  • Application Period Opens: December 16, 2020
  • Application Deadline: January 8, 2021
  • Students Notified of Status & Interview Times: January 20, 2021

All dates for TLC to be scheduled in January 2021.

GW Law is a member of The Law Consortium (“TLC”), a group of law schools that coordinates recruitment programs focused on the Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, and San Francisco markets. The TLC Recruitment Programs operate through a separate Symplicity site. Learn more »

  • Application Period Opens: TBD
  • Application Deadline: TBD
  • Student Interview Scheduling Opens: TBD
  • Student Interview Scheduling Closes: TBD

Some employers cannot commit to the dates and timelines of our formal interview programs, but still want to receive applications from GW Law students. These employers may post a Job Listing in CORE.  Employers will continue to post jobs throughout the recruitment season, so be sure to check back frequently.

When the 2021 OCI Recruitment Program is fully announced, the Job Listings section in CORE will include postings for summer 2021 positions, including summer associate positions at law firms and public sector opportunities.  Although these employers may not be available to participate in the GW Law recruitment program interview dates, many are still are committed to hiring on the traditional “OCI” timeline, which means they intend to review applications, interview, and make offers for summer 2021.  To view and apply to these employers, click on the “Job Listings” tab in CORE and search for “Summer” or “Post-Graduation,” and “Paid” positions using the filters available at the top of the job listings page.  For additional assistance, please contact the Career Center.

Students are encouraged to apply to additional employers by conducting a direct write application campaign. Submitting “direct writes” simply means that you independently research potential employers and submit application materials to them directly. This is particularly important for students interested in geographic market(s) that are not heavily represented through our formal recruitment programs.

Direct writes are typically applications to employers who are not participating in GW Law’s recruitment programs. Direct writes should be targeted to employers (typically large law firms) who still plan to interview and hire before the end of the Fall semester. Because a direct write campaign can be time consuming, it’s important to target geographic markets and employers strategically. The ideal timing for direct write applications is from September to January. Make an appointment with a counselor to develop your direct write strategy.

How to Participate in the 2021 Recruitment Programs 

 

Step 2: Research Employers

Before submitting any applications, students should research participating employers and spend time reflecting on their own geographic and practice area preferences.

 

Step 3: Develop Your Strategy

Counseling appointments can be conducted in-person or via phone throughout the summer. We will also be hosting a number of webinars to discuss the recruitment process and answer questions.

 

Step 5: Apply

Submit your applications to employers through the OCI, NY & TLC programs before their respective deadlines. In addition to these programs, review the Job Listings in CORE and consider submitting direct write applications.

 

Step 9: Continue Your Job Search

In addition to participating in the recruitment programs it is prudent to take a broad approach to your job search.  There will be postings in CORE for small/medium firms, government, corporations, and public interest organizations.  

 

Nondiscrimination Policy

GW Law is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion among all students, faculty, and staff. We believe that diversity is key to individual flourishing, educational excellence, and the advancement of knowledge and we maintain a deep commitment to fostering a diverse community in which all students, staff, and faculty learn and work in an atmosphere of inclusion and respect.

The George Washington University does not unlawfully discriminate against any person on any basis prohibited by federal law, the District of Columbia Human Rights Act, or other applicable law, including without limitation, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or familial status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and/or veteran status. This policy covers all programs, services, policies, and procedures of the university, including admission to education programs and employment.

Current government policy prohibiting members of the transgender community from serving in the military is antithetical to the Law School’s commitment to maintaining a diverse community free from discrimination. Federal law, more specifically, the Solomon Amendment, however, allows the federal government to terminate federal funding if military recruiters are not permitted to recruit on campuses of those institutions, like GW, which receive federal funds. In other words, not allowing military recruiters at GW Law interview programs would jeopardize all federal funds received by GW. While GW Law honors those in our community who have chosen or will choose to engage in military service, it condemns the government’s current prohibition on transgendered individuals serving in the military. Our decision to allow military recruiters at our interview programs is in no way an endorsement of this policy.

The GW Law School Career Center requires employers who post jobs or participate in any GW Law recruitment program to abide by the university's Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation Policy. In addition, consistent with the new NALP Principles for a Fair and Ethical Recruitment Process, employers who participate in GW Law's recruitment programs must ensure that recruiters and interviewers have training to avoid bias, discrimination, and harassment in the recruiting process.

GW Law strives to foster a recruitment environment free from discrimination and harassment. Students should report any violations of our recruiting policies or issues related to discrimination or harassment in the recruiting process to Katherine White, Director of Employer Outreach and Recruitment. Additional resources may be found in the university’s Sexual and Gender Based Harassment Policy. If you have any questions about this policy please direct them to the university’s Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, who also serves as the university’s Title IX Coordinator, at (202) 994-7440 or via email at [email protected]. 

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