Small & Midsize Firm Open House

Geared specifically towards firms with 50 or fewer attorneys, the Small & Midsize Firm Open House (Open House) invites local legal employers to campus to speak to University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) students and recent graduates about their practice, area of law, and any available law clerk, summer associate, and attorney positions.

This event provides employers the opportunity to meet informally with students and recent graduates, collect resumes for upcoming positions, and introduce their organization to a large number of potential candidates.  Additionally, the event is an opportunity to expose UHLC students to the varied opportunities available in the small and midsized firm arena. 

UHLC hosts two Open House sessions per academic year to provide students and employers greater access to each other.  Open House Session I took place on Friday, September 13, 2019. Open House Session II (“Spring Open House”) will occur on Friday, February 21, 2020.

A list of participating Small & Midsize Firm Open House employers will be available in the Symplicity Recruiting module. Keep in mind that you should check Symplicity frequently after January 6, 2020 as employers will continue to be added as they register. 

The Open House Employer List will include each employer's name, firm description, and website, as well as the following information:

• Desired Class Level of Applicants - 1L, 2L, 3L, LL.M. or recent graduate
• Positions Available -  Law Clerk (Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Post-Bar), Attorney, or Resume Collect for Future Opportunities;
• Application Material(s) Typically Requested – Resume, Cover Letter, Transcript, Writing Sample;
• Any Additional Comments or Information for Applicants;
• Firm Primary Practice Area; and
• Firm Representative Attendee List, where applicable.

Application instructions are provided on the Open House employer list. Applicants should bring the requested materials for each individual law firm to the Open House and present them to the employer representative. (Resumes and cover letters should be on resume paper/heavy card stock. All other documents may be printed on regular printer paper. Application packets should be assembled with a paper clip only. No folders are needed.) For more information about the Open House, UHLC students and recent graduates should contact their UHLC career counselor.

Who Can Participate in Small & Midsize Firm Open House?
The Spring Open House is open to all current UHLC JD and LL.M students as well as recent graduates.  Employers participating in the Open House will be looking to share knowledge with students about their practice or, if opportunities are available, hire law clerks for spring, summer and/or the post-bar period.  Employers may also be looking for current 3Ls, LL.Ms and recent graduates to fill permanent attorney positions. 

What Important Information Do I Need for Small & Midsize Firm Open House? 
Culminating after a series of career panels discussing the advantages and challenges of practicing at small, midsize and growing firms, the Open House takes place in a common area, where employers are able to share information about their organization and opportunities for the upcoming summer and beyond.

UHLC will host two Open House sessions per academic year to provide students and employers greater access to each other.  Open House Session I took place on Friday, September 13, 2019, during the fall semester. The Spring Open House will occur on Friday, February 21, 2020.

Below are the pertinent details for Spring Open House:

• What: Small & Midsize Firm Spring Open House
• When: Friday, February 21, 2020
• Time:  12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
• Where: UH Law Center Commons
• Who: All enrolled students and recent graduates
• Format: Students/graduates come to the fair dressed in business attire and equipped with requested application materials. Employer representatives are placed at tables designated by the firm’s name and students/graduates may freely move among tables speaking with the representatives about their firms and practice areas.

After the Open House, employers may follow up with students/graduates regarding specific positions. 

In addition to possibly securing employment, the Open House is a great opportunity for UHLC students/graduates to network with a variety of local members of the bar and begin cultivating their professional network. There is no student fee, registration, or bidding process for this event. 

We look forward to having you join us to network with attorneys and to learn about the opportunities available in small and midsize law firms during the Spring Open House.