Job Searching Research Guide

This guide outlines library resources available at Georgetown University Law Library to investigate potential legal employers and prepare for an interview. It does not attempt to outline the myriad of web-based job search engines. It is important to remember that almost all law firms, government agencies and other legal employers maintain their own web sites that provide extensive background information.

JOB SEARCHING RESOURCES AT THE LIBRARY

NALP Directory of Legal Employers KF297.A1 D573
Also available on www.nalpdirectory.com
The National Association for Law Placement profiles law firms, government agencies, public interest entities and corporate legal departments in this resource. Profiles include detailed information on practice areas, demographics, salaries & benefits.

Leadership Library (Georgetown Law Community Only)
Formerly known as the Yellow Books, this electronic resource provides detailed directory information on government agencies, law firms, judicial entities, non-profits, news media and more in a searchable database. Biographies of judges, attorneys and corporate executives include their educational background, e-mail addresses, photos and publications, where available. The Leadership Networks function allows users to view each featured individual's network of affiliations, from colleges to boards to previous employment.

a) Law Firms


Martindale-Hubbell Directory of Law Firms KF190 .M45
Martindale-Hubbell contains biographical info on practicing attorneys and brief profiles of U.S. and international law firms. To conduct searches, complete the search template at the Martindale site. You can search by attorney or firm name, area of practice or law school, city, state or country, or any combination of these fields.

West Legal Directory - only available on Westlaw database name: WLD
West Publishing has created their own biographical & directory information for over 1 million law firms and attorneys. This database provides template searching, in addition to terms and connectors and natural language searching, allowing users to fill out the form provided with as much information as available to run a search.  For searches on fields not contained in the template, click on Term Search or Natural Language to reach the query editor box.
 
Leadership Library on the Internet - Law Firm Yellow Book
Once connected to the Leadership Library on the Internet, you can search for a specific law firm or using the browse command, browse through the Law Firm Yellow Book for a detailed description of law firms, including contact information, practice areas and chairs of law firm committees. E-mail addresses and phone numbers are provided when available.

Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers KF190 .C43
Searchable database online
This resource identifies lawyers practicing in specific areas of law, such as International Arbitration and Environmental Law.

Fee Fie Foe Firm: Law Firm Search Engine - This search engine focuses specifically on law firm websites throughout the world. You can search firm's profiles, media releases, legal news, client seminars, case notes and legal expert analysis.

AM LAW 100
Also available electronically with free registration.
Annually, the American Lawyer Magazine publishes listing of the Top 100 law firms based on revenues. Charts and analytical articles showcase the trends in the largest law firms.

The NLJ 250
The National Law Journal ranks law firms by size and looks at total partners vs. total associates, starting salary and a brief profile is provided for each featured firm.

 

b) Corporate Legal Departments

Directory of Corporate Counsel KF195.C6 D57
Also available on Westlaw.
This resource provides brief biographical entries on corporate attorneys.

Corporate Counsel K3 .O8595
Available online
Magazine focused on in-house legal departments.

Leadership Library on the Internet - Corporate Yellow Book
Once connected to the Leadership Library on the Internet, you can search for a specific corporation or using the Browse command, browse through the Corporate Yellow Book for a detailed description of entities, including contact information, a business description and key officers and management.. E-mail addresses and phone numbers are provided when available.

Martindale Hubbell Corporate Law Directory KF190 .M45
Brief profiles of company legal departments.

Standard & Poors NetAdvantage HG4515.95 .S73 (Electronic resource)
Corporate profiles offer insight into a company's strategy, financials & executives.

Almanac of American Employers HF 5549.5 .C67A5
This guide, which is updated annually, offers general information for job seekers and individual profiles for the largest U.S. employers, based on selected types of business and industry sectors.


c) Public Interest Entities

Beyond the Big Firm: Profiles of Lawyers Who Want Something More KF299.P8 M67
Read the stories of lawyers working in various capacities of public interest law - everything from children's rights advocates to immigration attorneys.

Encyclopedia of Associations HS17 .G335
Also available electronically
Comprehensive source of information on thousands of organizations throughout the United States. There are companion volumes on International Associations also.


Encyclopedia of Governmental Advisory Organizations JK468.C7 E52
Organized by subject, this resource includes directory information on many public interest entities.

Leadership Library on the Internet - Associations Yellow Book
Once connected to the Leadership Library on the Internet, you can search for a specific association or using the Browse command, browse through the Association Yellow Book for a detailed description of organizations, including contact information, a business description and key personnel. Publications, foundations e-mail addresses and phone numbers are provided when available.


Research Centers Directory AS25 .D52
Provides information on many think tanks and public policy organizations.

Serving the Public: A Job Search Guide KF299.P8 P42
In addition to directory information of public interest and government entities, this resource offers sample resumes & cover letters, as well as general guidance for those seeking employment in the public arena.

d) Other Possibilities

Fifty Unique Legal Paths KF297 .F87 2008
This book identifies career options for those looking to use their legal education for a less conventional position.

How to be a Law Professor Guide : From Getting That First Job to Retirement KF297 .E33 2008
This overview of the law teaching profession offers insight into how to obtain your first job, work towards tenure and achieve a satisfying a career as a law professor.

Nonlegal Careers for Lawyers KF297 .M863
This ABA publication not only defines nonlegal careers, but offers guidance to law students and lawyers looking to pursue a career outside of the traditional legal marketplace.

CAREER GUIDANCE, INTERVIEWING & ETIQUETTE

Ask the Careeer Counselors: Answers for Lawyers on their Lives and Life's Work KF297.Z9 M674
The ABA Career Resource Center offers tips on resume writing, interview tactics & general career planning.

Best Resumes for Attorneys KF297 .F66
Sample resumes and cover letters, as well as specialized guidance by practice area. Critiques inferior resumes and offers suggestions for improvement.

Careers for Legal Eagles & Other Law-And-Order Types KF297.Z9 C358
only available electronically

The Essential Guide to Business Etiquette HF5389 .C468
This guide allows you to prepare for all forms of international communication, including interviews, applications and cover letters.


Excellence in the Workplace: Legal and Life Skills KF297 .K28
The final section of this nutshell is on practical tools for career planning, such as mentoring, networking, and deciding whether or not a job is even right for you.



How to Start and Build a Law Practice KF300.Z9 F66
For the entrepreneurial lawyer, this ABA guide discusses the process of setting up your own law practice.

The Global Manager's Guide to Living and Working Abroad HF5382.55 .G56 2009
Tips for moving to a foreign country and details for living and relocating to Western Europe and the Americas.

Jobs and J.D.'s: Employment and Salaries of New Law Graduates KF301 .E77
New editions published annually.

The Law School Rules KF283.L49
While this book primarily offers tips to survive law school, helpful hints for networking, suits and jobs are provided.

The Legal Career Guide: From Law Student to Lawyer KF297 .M862 2008
Designed as a hands-on manual, this guide walks the law student through the decision making processes associated with the entering the legal profession.

The Legal Job Interview KF297 .E56
This resource offers steps to take before, during and after a job interview for a successful outcome. Emphasis is on preparation and conduct.

Maximize Your Lawyer Potential KF319 .M37
The subtitle of this book, "Professionalism and Business Etiquette for Law Students and Lawyers" says it all. Chapters include a primer on business etiquette, legal interview savvy and your first legal job.

Nonlegal Careers for Lawyers KF297 .M863
Guidance for the alternative career seeker.

The Official Guide to Legal Specialities KF297 .A758
Ever wonder what life is like as a municipal finance lawyer? This guide looks at 30 legal specialities and provides insight into each one.

Prentice-Hall Complete Business Etiquette Handbook HF5389 .P33
Learn how to best present yourself in an interview with this guide.

Resumes for Law Careers KF297.Z9 R47 2008
The elements of an effective resume and sample cover letters make this a valuable resource for those entering the legal job market.

Safari Books Online
This resource includes many titles with interviewing techniques, sample interview questions and other beneficial resources for the job search. Once connected to the database, simply search for "interview" or Interviewing" to read the books online.

 

JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS

a) Print Resources

Almanac of the Federal Judiciary KF8778.A6 A5
Also available on Westlaw
Provides profiles for every federal trial and appellate judge in the United States, including important bankruptcy judges and magistrate judges. Profiles include judge's academic and professional background, experience on the bench, noteworthy rulings, and media coverage. Profiles are provided by lawyers who have tried cases before their respective federal judges.


American Bench KF8700.A19 A47
Directory of comprehensive biographical information on over 18,000 judges at all levels of federal, state and local courts with jurisdictional, structural and geographical facts on the courts they serve.



Behind the Bench : The Guide to Judicial Clerkships KF8771 .S85
General information about clerkships including what they are, what kind of work clerks do, how to find and apply for a clerkship, and how to give a clerkship interview.

Chambers Handbook for Judges’ Law Clerks and Secretaries KF8771 .C49
Also available online
Federal Judicial Center publicatiion providing an overview of chambers operations and the work of the federal courts including: conduct, ethics, and protocol; basic analysis of litigation; court governance and administration; chambers; case management; relations with other court; justice system personnel; and legal research and writing.

Directory of State and Federal Courts, Judges, and Clerks KF8700.A19 K56
Published by BNA, this provides contact names, telephone, fax, TDD/TTY numbers, and street addresses for judges and judicial officials in each state court plus the 92 U.S. District Courts, 14 U.S. Courts of Appeals, U.S. Tax Court, Bankruptcy Courts, U.S. Sentencing Commission, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Judicial Staff Directory KF8700.A19 J83
Also available online
Basic directory information for all federal, circuit, district and bankruptcy courts. Also includes the U.S. Supreme Court, Court of Federal Claims, Court of International Trade, and U.S. Tax Court. Staff listings include clerks, deputy clerks, administrators, probation officers, pretrial services officers, public defenders, U.S. marshals and U.S. attorneys.

b) Electronic Resources

Biographical Directory of Federal Judges
Provides biographical information on all federal judges from the U.S. District Courts, U.S. Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Federal Law Clerk Information System
Searchable national database of federal law clerk vacancies and available applicants. User can search by court and federal circuit.

Georgetown Law Center Judicial Clerkship Database
Provided by the Law Center's Office of Career Services and Faculty Clerkship Committee. This web site is designed to assist in identifying clerkship opportunities for Georgetown Law Center students.

JudicialClerkships.com
Online discussion board for students applying for judicial clerkships.

Leadership Library on the Internet - Judicial Yellow Book
Once connected to the Leadership Library on the Internet, you can search for a specific court or judge, or using the Browse command, browse through the Judicial Yellow Book for a detailed description of each court's jurisdiction, contact information, biographical information on each judge and key court personnel. Photos, e-mail addresses and phone numbers are provided when available.

OSCAR - Online System for Clerkship Application and Review
Actual portal to apply for clerkships in U.S. Courts.

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL RESOURCES

Almanac of American Politics JK271 .B343
Also available electronically (click on Almanac in left hand column)
In-depth biographies and profiles of governors, members of Congress, and other politicians from state and congressional districts.




Almanac of the Executive Branch JK6 .A65
Contains profiles of important appointees and senior staff in the current executive administration, with current contact information, recent initiatives, political experience, education, responsibilities and professional history.



Almanac of the Unelected JK1083 .A45
Provides biographical information and in-depth personal profiles of selected House and Senate committee staff.

Leadership Library CT210 .L4
Formerly known as the Yellow Books, this electronic resource provides detailed directory information on government agencies, law firms, judicial entities, non-profits, news media and more in a searchable database. Biographies of judges, attorneys and corporate executives include their educational background, e-mail addresses, photos and publications, where available. The Leadership Networks function allows users to view each featured individual's network of affiliations, from colleges to boards to previous employment.

Who’s Who in American Law KF190 .W56
Provides personal biographical information on approximately 15,000 American legal professionals including top judges, lawyers, educators, legal theorists, legal writers and editors.

Who's Who in America E176 .W642
Broader in coverage, though still useful resource for biographical information on over 100,000 prominent Americans.

Updated 07/09 (MK)

Page last saved 12-Nov-2009