12th Annual Government Careers Forum

Washburn University School of Law’s Professional Development Office hosted the 12th annual Government Legal Careers forum on February 20. The forum brings representatives from area government agencies and Washburn Law students together to network and discuss what it’s like to have a career in governmental law.

“A lot of our students are very interested in pursuing a career in government,” said Tammy King, director of Professional Development. “Over the last several years, we have had 20 to 25 percent of graduating students accept jobs with government agencies.”

This year’s forum had the highest number of registered employers, with 30 agencies and 35 students in attendance. Students were able to speak with lawyers from federal, state, and local government agencies.

“Students who attend this event gain an appreciation and an understanding of the variety of careers that are available with different government agencies,” King said. “It gives students the opportunity to talk to many government lawyers at one time and compare and contrast the experiences they’ve had, and to figure out what they might want to pursue in the future.”

Employers can attend a continuing legal education (CLE) ethics seminar before the forum, in addition to being able seek out new talent for their agencies.

“The employers get the opportunity to engage with the next generation of lawyers, which many of them love to do,” King said.

A few of the agencies in attendance included the Kansas Department of Revenue, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement.