Office of Professionalism & Career Strategy
Our Mission
Our Mission
The Office of Professionalism & Career Strategy, directed by retired Illinois Appellate Court Justice Margaret O’Mara Frossard, strives to help students develop a sense of professionalism and engagement with their legal education. The office works to improve the delivery of student services while providing a foundation for professionalism and prepares students to become responsible, dignified members of the legal community. Deans, faculty, and staff are involved in fostering those efforts by modeling professional conduct for students. Members of the legal community, including judges, practitioners, and alumni, will also be involved in helping students achieve these goals.
Department Programs and Offerings
Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program
The Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program allows a mentor and a new-lawyer mentee to earn up to 6 hours of CLE professional responsibility credit free upon successful completion of the program. In 2011, we were the first law school in collaboration with the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism to launch the Illinois Supreme Court-approved Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program through the Office of Professionalism & Career Strategy.
Law School Survey of Student Engagement
UIC Law participates in a nationally recognized survey that examines trends related to professionalism and engagement. Data collected from law students is bench marked against data from other law schools. Our goal is to improve the delivery of services to UIC Law students while encouraging professionalism and engagement in students preparing to enter the competitive legal market.
Professionalism Student Advisory Board (PSAB)
Students who participate as members, plan and attend various professionalism programs offered by the Office of Professionalism & Career Strategy which strengthens their professional identity. The students are also actively involved in encouraging other students to respond to the Law School Survey of Student Engagement to help improve the delivery of services to UIC Law students.
Career Strategy Initiative
The Office of Professionalism & Career Strategy helps facilitate placement of students and graduates in externships, judicial clerkships, and law related jobs. Associate Dean Frossard, a former Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court, meets with leading professionals to explore and secure opportunities in the legal profession for students and graduates of UIC Law.
Bar Passage and Licensing Initiatives and Programs
The Office of Professionalism & Career Strategy assists students and graduates in the bar application and admission amendment process. In collaboration with members of the Academic Achievement Team, programs are offered to discuss the bar application and amendment process. Graduates who have successfully passed the bar serve as panelists to offer strategies to help students pass the bar exam.
Bridge to Practice Program
This program is offered to all 3L students. Each year, a total of approximately 300 students, attend this one-half day program during which they meet with practitioners from over 10 different practice areas in small group sessions. The goal of the program is to help students transition from law school to the workplace.
Professional Conduct Expectations & Requirements Program
This program is offered to all incoming 1L1 students and recognizes the strong connection between academic achievement and students who reflect a strong professional identity. Students are required to sign a written commitment to conduct themselves in a professional, respectful manner.