Recent News

March 24, 2006

Last chance for summer office help

As summer approaches, many law firms face staffing shortages as employees embark on long-awaited vacations or reduced hours due to summer flex schedules. The Columbus Bar has an easy fix for potential summer staffing woes, and it's called the Summer Leadership Intern Program (SLIP).

Sponsored by the Columbus Bar and Columbus Public Schools, SLIP is preparing to begin its thirteenth year providing seniors-to-be an exciting and intense employment and education program related to the law. Participants work eight weeks for pay in law firms and government agencies and also complete an academic program that involves readings; writing assignments; on-site visits to the federal courthouse, the Supreme Court of Ohio, and Ohio Court of Claims; and preparing for a mock legislative committee hearing and mock trial.

The program has several goals, including to provide summer employment to youths who might not otherwise get jobs; to expose the students to the legal profession and to the work routine of the business world; and to help keep them on a track toward college and a professional career.

SLIP students are well trained prior to setting foot in the workplace, as they are required to attend weekend classes beginning in April to learn about communication, problem solving, professional dress and the special confidentiality issues that go along with working in a law firm. SLIP has a detailed code of conduct and requires both students and parents agree to all rules and regulations before being accepted into the program.

SLIP is coordinated by a small group of dedicated volunteers: Hon. James E. Green, Franklin County Municipal Court; Janetta Bell, teacher for Columbus Public Schools; and Vicki Jenkins, legal counsel for the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

However, the real success of the program comes from the commitment of the employers. So far, SLIP employers for the 2006 summer include: Baker & Hostetler; Bloomfield & Kempf; Bricker & Eckler; Chester Willcox & Saxbe ; Frost Brown Todd; Office of the Ohio Attorney General; Porter Wright Morris & Arthur; Thompson Hine; Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease; Ward Kaps Bainbridge Maurer & Melvin; and Wiles Boyle Burkholder & Bringardner.

There is still time to join the participating firms and hire a SLIP student for the summer! Employers are asked to commit to hire a student at an hourly wage of $5.75 - $7.75 for a period of eight weeks. If you would like more information, please contact Donna Sweet at 614/340.2062.