Entering the legal profession after law school can feel intimidating—but the Career Development Office (CDO) at Case Western Reserve University School of Law is committed to ensuring students succeed. We provide resources, knowledge, advice and encouragement both during law school and after you graduate.
Here, you’ll find a range of tools and programs designed to support every stage of your career planning and job search. From resume templates and interview prep to job postings and recruitment events, these resources are here to help you explore options, build connections and pursue your goals with confidence.
CDOonline (Symplicity)
CDOonline (Symplicity) is your one-stop resource for career help. You can schedule appointments with your career advisor, upload a resume and cover letter for review, check the latest job postings, find job search resources, apply for on-campus interviews, review event announcements and more. Log in to access the portal.
Individual Career Advising
A successful job search requires a strategy, especially in the legal industry where so many different career options are available. The CDO team is here to work closely with you to develop that strategy.
CDO advisors provide practice area exploration tools, customized resume and cover letter feedback, market and employer information, interview preparation, networking assistance, and professional development advice. Contact lawjobs@case.edu to inquire.
Resume Checklist and Templates
Looking for guidance on how to craft a compelling resume? You can log in to CDOonline to find our office’s resume checklist and sample legal resumes in the document library.
Job Postings
The CDO obtains and posts an average of 170 new legal job listings each month, ranging from 1L summer internships to experienced attorney positions. Log in to view the latest postings.
Job Search Resources
The CDO creates and compiles an extensive set of job search resources for students each year to stay on top of current and changing market trends. Beyond our own job posting database, we subscribe to external job posting lists and are constantly expanding our electronic library of reference materials, employer directories, fellowship and clerkship information, practice-area reports, salary statistics, interviewing resources and more.
First-Year Programming
Each year, we hold specialized programming for first-year students. This includes the 1L Resume Assignment, 1L Orientation Session, 1L Career Kick-Off, and 1L Group Advising, which introduce first-year students to the legal market, resume and cover letter preparation, job search resources, and the law school's online job posting portal and career development platform.
Recruitment Programs
In addition to year-round job postings, the CDO hosts multiple recruitment programs each year, including in the fall, spring, and summer. These programs provide on-campus interviews, virtual interviews, and resume collection options for employers.
We also hold an employer fair for students each winter that brings dozens of employers to campus, and we co-host a career fair for new graduates each fall, after summer bar exam results are released.
Panel Presentations
Each year, the CDO hosts over 25 programs covering a variety of topics, including professional development, practice area exploration, resume and cover letter preparation, interview skills, non-traditional career paths, judicial clerkships, networking and relationship building, and how to navigate current recruitment trends and succeed in the ever-changing legal job market.
These programs provide insights from practicing attorneys, opportunities to connect with employers and alumni, and valuable guidance. We advertise these programs in our weekly email newsletters and on display screens in the law school.
Reciprocity Policy and Request Form
As a law student or alum at CWRU, you can take advantage of our reciprocity policy—temporary access to career services from another law school outside the greater Cleveland area. Reciprocity is considered a valuable favor from another law school, and many schools will grant only a limited number of requests each year.
Please note reciprocity may be unavailable during certain times in the annual recruiting cycle. You are strongly encouraged to speak with a CDO advisor to develop the best strategy. To request reciprocity, please review our reciprocity policy and complete the request form.