Current Students
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Job Postings
Career Connect is Detroit Mercy Law's online employment opportunity board for students, recent graduates, and alumni. Employers contact the CSO directly to post legal career opportunities. The CSO also posts opportunities directed to the office from various sources. Incoming 1Ls will receive access to job posting resources via Career Connect in October. The CSO recommends browsing Career Connect and then connecting with your career counselor to discuss your interests and expanding your search from there.
One Click: Job Postings for Students available here.
Login: Career Connect - Use your Titan Pass ID and password to login.
For help with your Titan Pass ID and password, contact the Help Desk at 313-993-1500 between 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (M-F). You may also reset your Titan Pass password here.
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Application Templates for Students
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Document Review Process
Understanding and following the document review process is key. After you have reviewed the CSO resources on preparing documents such as resumes and cover letters, and utilized the Detroit Mercy Law templates, follow these steps:
- Finalize your documents: Read them from top to bottom to ensure there are no errors or inconsistencies. Consider using the document checklist also provided in Career Connect.
- Save your document as a professional document name (your last name and the document type are usually sufficient)
- Upload your document to Career Connect at least one week before any deadline you are seeking to meet. Note that you can upload your materials to the system as Word documents because the system should automatically convert them to PDFs.
- When uploading, check that you have properly and professionally labeled your document (employers may see the label and file name), and that you have selected the correct document type in Career Connect.
- Check your documents after uploading them to ensure you selected the correct document and that there were no errors during the upload (for example, occasionally, a blank page is created at the end due to formatting. Check for this and other issues after you upload and adjust as necessary).
- Monitor Career Connect and your email after uploading your documents. Notifications of approval and/or feedback are usually sent via email by the system, though these may be sorted to a junk mail folder, and you may also check the status of your documents and for feedback directly in Career Connect under the My Documents section by clicking on the document and scrolling to see any comments.
- If you receive feedback, you can incorporate that feedback. Be sure to check your revised document from top to bottom again after making any changes to ensure there are no errors or inconsistencies (you should check your documents when you draft them, any time you make any changes or additions, and when you finalize them).
- Save your revised document.
- Re-upload your revised document to Career Connect for further review/approval. Note that you can either upload it as a new document or replace the prior version. If the prior version was approved, you can upload your new version as a new document to allow you to continue using the previously approved version while awaiting review/approval on the new version, but be careful to use the correct version of your documents when applying.
- Repeat if necessary.
Important: the CSO monitors the Career Connect document queue for newly uploaded documents. Documents uploaded to Career Connect are reviewed during the CSO's business hours, typically within two business days of the upload, but this may be longer such as when a high number of documents have been uploaded by users. Multiple rounds of review may be necessary, so account for the review process when planning your application timeframe and plan additional time in case delays/technological issues arise. Making any changes to your documents, including changing the label, may necessitate review/re-approval. Note that only approved materials can be used to apply through the Career Connect system. However, if you plan to apply to an opportunity outside of Career Connect, you can still upload your documents for review via the system.
Remember you are solely responsible for your documents, including accuracy, proofreading, and ensuring there are no errors. You are responsible for clearly and promptly communicating with the CSO. Plan ahead, give yourself ample time for the document review and application processes and do not wait until the last day/minute.
If you have not heard back regarding your documents or need assistance including with documents or Career Connect in general, reach out the CSO promptly.
Note: if you have received specific instructions concerning documents such as for the CLSSC course or OCIs, you should follow those directions for those purposes.
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Build your resume with writing competitions
iCompeteWriting is a sortable listing of more than 100 student legal writing competitions, including names, deadlines, award amounts, and other details.
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Additional Resources
Additional resources are available in Career Connect under the Document Library including videos, templates, and guides regarding your application materials, interviewing, and more. The CSO encourages students to regularly explore these resources.
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Judicial Clerkships
Only apply to and interview for judicial internships/externships/clerkships that you are prepared to accept on the spot. Asking for time to consider an offer from a judge is generally unacceptable and not recommended. Employment offers may be made by judges during an interview or thereafter.
If your interest has changed when you are contacted for an interview, communicate appreciation and decline the interview. If your interest changes after an interview, promptly communicate appreciation for the interview along with your need to withdraw from consideration.
Michigan Court of Appeals - On-Campus Interviews:
The Michigan Court of Appeals conducts on-campus interviews in the fall semester with 3Ls for post-graduation research attorney positions that begin after graduation.OSCAR:
Learn more about post-graduation federal clerkships on OSCAR. -
CSO Student Policies
Students are expected to be honest and accurate in all the information they provide to employers. Misrepresentations or distortions of information, orally or in writing, on a resume, writing sample, transcript, references, or other application materials or during an interview, whether or not the material passes through the CSO, may be the basis for a charge under the Detroit Mercy Law Honor Code. An Honor Code violation may also be reported to the State Board of Law Examiners in whatever state the student may sit for the bar exam.
Documents submitted to Career Connect such as resumes, cover letters, and writing samples must conform generally to legal application standards and require CSO approval. Documents that are accurate, error free, and conform to legal industry expectations as reflected in the CSO’s templates are typically approved within two business days, depending on the volume of documents being uploaded to Career Connect. Documents that require edits will take longer for final approval, so it is recommended that you upload documents for review at least one week before any deadline.
Students participating in OCIs or resume collects must be in good academic standing. For more information, check out Career Connect.
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Employment Regulations for International Students
Detroit Mercy Law supports international students with student visas (required for enrollment) and practical training authorizations (required for gaining legal experience in the US). Please visit the school's International Students page for more information. -
Voice for Justice Fellowship
Detroit Mercy Law strives to teach students to be both skilled practitioners and compassionate professionals. The Public Interest Fellowship Program expands our long-standing tradition of service to the community and provides students the opportunity to succeed while making a difference in the community.
Students who receive Fellowships spend approximately eight weeks as summer interns for non-profit organizations that serve or advocate for the poor, disadvantaged, marginalized, or under-represented of society. Since 2003, the Voice for Justice Fellowship Program has funded more than 100 law students to serve locally and throughout the world.
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CSO Appointments
To request an appointment with Career Services, email cso@udmercy.edu with your class level and the reason you would like to meet (ex: a request for a mock interview).
Participating in OCIs is one path to securing summer and postgraduate paid legal employment.
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Overview
Employers interview students and recent graduates on campus throughout the year for various positions, including summer and postgraduate paid legal positions.
In addition to precruiting and direct applications, participating in summer OCIs as a rising 2L or the fall as a 2L is one route to get hired as a summer and first-year associate at law firms that do long-term employment projections (most large law firms and some small/mid-size firms).* Other legal employers, such as corporations, government, and public interest organizations, may also participate in OCIs and some may interview rising 3Ls or 3Ls for student or graduate positions.
If you do not secure a position through OCIs, connect with your career counselor, as there are many other opportunities made available throughout the year to secure positions. Most law students nationally and at Detroit Mercy Law secure employment outside of the OCI process. Regardless of your outcome, participating in OCIs is a valuable process. You may secure a position, and if not, you will build your network and be that much more prepared to secure the next opportunity.
*See the Precruiting & Direct Application Guide in Career Connect for more information on this important recruiting strategy.
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How will I learn about OCIs?
The CSO will inform students and recent graduates of OCI opportunities through the Detroit Mercy Law listservs, so please regularly check your udmercy email.
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What is the process?
Students should work with their career counselors to polish their application materials. Most employers will require a resume, writing sample, and unofficial law transcript. Cover letters and lists of references or letters of recommendation may also be requested by some employers.
Students can review participating employers in CareerConnect through the OCI tab and place a bid by submitting the required application materials to each employer of interest to them for which they meet all employer-set requirements. Employers review bids and inform the CSO of the students they select to interview.
The CSO will notify you if you are selected to interview and provide additional details as needed to help you sign up for a timeslot and prepare for the interview.
Interviews are typically 20 minutes and take place in person at Detroit Mercy Law. After OCIs, employers extend limited call-back interviews to select students. Call-back interviews are typically conducted at the employer’s office but may be conducted virtually. Following call-backs, employers extend offers or notify call-back candidates with rejections. Law firms typically evaluate a summer associate’s performance at the end of the summer and determine whether to extend them an offer to join the firm as an attorney thereafter.
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Deadlines, Expectations, and Requirements
Students and recent graduates participating in OCIs should honor the deadlines, expectations, and requirements listed below and as communicated by their career counselor though udmercy emails.
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General OCI Expectations
Please honor the following expectations for OCI participation. Your actions reflect on the entire Detroit Mercy Law community. Positive relationships with employers ensure our continued support of their recruitment needs.
- Students must be in good academic standing to participate.
- Be honest and accurate in all information provided to employers, including application materials and verbal representations during interviews.
- Read and respond to OCI emails within 24 business hours.
- Be available to interview on the designated OCI dates for the employers you apply to. If you are not available, please discuss this with your career counselor prior to placing a bid, as employers generally expect students to be available when they come to campus.
- Direct questions and communications for OCI employers to the CSO unless and until an employer contacts you directly. The CSO will provide guidance on thank you letters, as the advice is highly specific to each employer and interviewer.
- Notify the CSO immediately if you need to withdraw an application due to accepting another offer or other reasons.
- Prepare for, dress professionally, and attend all interviews you are offered, and notify the CSO of any extreme circumstances that would require you to miss an interview, defined as a positive diagnosis of a communicable disease, your own hospitalization, or death in your immediate family. The CSO will work with the employer to see if they are interested in permitting you to interview virtually, if possible, or rescheduling your interview.
- Inform the CSO of any callback interview invitations, offers, and acceptances. Students should not hold open more than one offer, as that slows down hiring processes and prevents others from receiving offers. Upon receiving a second offer, students should release the least favorable offer. Students should notify the employer as soon as a decision is made, even if that decision is made in advance of the prevailing response date.
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Applications
Students and recent graduates should work with their career counselor to polish their application materials for the best chances of success. Students should place a bid by submitting the required application materials to each OCI employer of interest to them. Applications that are error-free, conform to legal industry standards as set forth in the sample materials on CareerConnect, and meet all employer-stated requirements will be provided to employers.
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Interview Preparation
Participants should review the videos linked below and should complete a mock interview before participating in OCIs.
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Law Firm Receptions
OCI candidates may be invited to attend law firm receptions before OCIs. These can be highly-rewarding networking events that help you learn more about the employer. Participating students should dress professionally as they would for an interview, unless otherwise specifically stated, and conduct themselves professionally, as impressions at networking events often impact future employment opportunities. The CSO will share information regarding receptions, usually via email. Students should also review the Law Reception Guide in Career Connect before attending any such event.
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2026 Timeline & Deadlines for Rising 2Ls
Students should adhere to the following timeline and deadlines for the best chances of securing employment through OCI.
ACTION REQUIRED: April 24
Attend Precruiting/OCI information session.Late April/Early May, Rolling
Participating employers will be added to CareerConnect (OCI > Summer/Fall 2026) on a rolling basis as registrations are received beginning in April. Details such as OCI dates, required and preferred qualifications, and required application materials will be included. Information is subject to change, should employers request adjustments. Information should be thoroughly reviewed by candidates.ACTION REQUIRED: April 24
Students who do not already have an approved draft in Career Connect must email draft application materials (resume, 5–10 page writing sample with cover page, and a general cover letter) to cso@udmercy.edu with the subject line “2026 OCI Drafts” by April 24. Feedback will be provided in the following weeks, and students are expected to revise materials promptly and work with their career counselor to finalize all documents. Students with approved drafts in Career Connect are not required to resubmit. Law transcripts may be uploaded directly to Career Connect.ACTION REQUIRED: May, Rolling
Update, proofread, and finalize your application materials then upload to Career Connect for final CSO review and approval at least one week before the bidding window closes for any employer(s) you would like to apply to. The CSO will review and approve final application materials that are error-free and conform to legal industry standards as set forth in the sample materials on Career Connect.May, Rolling
Bidding will open on May 11. Using approved documents, place bids by submitting the required application materials to each employer of interest to you during the employer’s bidding window, on or before the deadline listed for each employer. The exact deadlines for each employer will be listed in their OCI posting on Career Connect and cannot be extended. A separate bid must be submitted for each employer. There is no limit on the number of bids a student may submit. Applications that are error-free, conform to legal industry standards as set forth in the sample materials on Career Connect, and meet all employer-stated requirements will be provided to employers.June, Rolling
Summer OCIs are set to begin on June 1, June 2, June 4, and June 12, 2026. The CSO will inform you via your udmercy email if you are selected by an employer to interview. Students are typically notified of employer interview selections approximately 1 week before the OCI date. Students may be invited by employers for callback interviews after the initial on-campus interview. -
Research Employers
The following research steps can help you learn more about OCI employers.
- Review the employer’s website, especially the “summer associate/employment” information page, if they have one.
- Review the employer’s NALP profile (available for most large law firms). Pay particular attention to the recruitment and hiring tab.
- Search the employer and interviewer(s) on Google and look for recent news articles.
- Search the employer and interviewer(s) on LexisNexis and Westlaw and review recent results.
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Dress for Success
For the best chances of success, present as someone an employer would feel comfortable introducing to clients. You are encouraged to wear your interview attire for all interviews and networking events, including mock and virtual interviews.
Below are recommendations to help you present as mature, polished, and professional.
- Attire should fit properly and be wrinkle free. You may want to visit a tailor.
- Wear a conservative suit. Solid black, gray, or navy blue are good choices. Jackets and pants/skirts should match. Pants should be ankle length; skirts should be knee length and nylons are recommended.
- Wear a neutral-colored shirt or shell under your suit. White, cream or light blue are good choices. Ties should not be distracting.
- Clean and natural/neutral-colored nails are recommended.
- Cover tattoos and remove facial piercings.
- Keep any makeup natural/neutral-colored.
- Limit jewelry.
- Shoes should be polished/clean and conservative (neutral colors, low/no heel).
- Do not use cologne/perfume/strong-smelling lotion for the day, as OCI rooms are small.
- Do not chew gum or smell like smoke.
- Limit the number of items you take with you. Take a padfolio, a non-plastic pen, a breath mint, a legal pad, and multiple copies of your resume printed on resume paper.