New JMPLHS Executive Board elected for 2012-2013

In keeping with the drafting of new by-laws for the John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society (JMPLHS) at F&M, elections were held on March 20th for the Executive Board positions of Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, Admissions Director, Events Director, and Public Relations Director. Members of JMPLHS had the chance to review statements of interest and to ask questions of the candidates before casting their votes and electing the following students:

Chair: Akbar Hossain '13
Secretary-Treasurer: Ian Cummings '14
Admissions Director: Amanda Duckworth '13
Events Director: Elizabeth Murray '13
Public Relations Director: Michelle Carroll '13

These students will work to enhance JMPLHS and the entire pre-law program at F&M during the upcoming academic year.

Legal Film Series concludes TONIGHT (3/21) with "To Kill a Mockingbird"

The Legal Film Series at F&M (sponsored by the Center for Liberal Arts & Society and the John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society) concludes TONIGHT, March 21, with "To Kill a Mockingbird." The film will start at 7:30pm and will be showing in the Ware College House Great Room. Click here for more information.

Considered by many to be the best legal movie ever made, this film is based on the Pullitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee. Gregory Peck won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Atticus Finch, a courageous small-town attorney who battles prejudice in the Depression-era south.

Greg Randall Lee, J.D., who teaches law at Widener University School of Law, will introduce the film and answer questions and talk to students.

Legal Film Series continues TONIGHT (3/2) with "The Paper Chase"

The Legal Film Series at F&M (sponsored by the Center for Liberal Arts & Societyand the John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society) continues TONIGHT, March 2, with "The Paper Chase." The film will start at 7:30pm and will be showing in the New College House. Click here for more information.

This film famously depicts the first-year law student experience and is a must-see for any potential law students. Food will be provided by New College House and a discussion of the film will follow. All are welcome to attend.

Legal Film Series continues TONIGHT (2/17) with "Philadelphia"

The Legal Film Series at F&M (sponsored by the Center for Liberal Arts & Societyand the John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society) continues TONIGHT, February 17, with "Philadelphia." The film will start at 7:30pm and will be showing in the Brooks College House Great Room. Click here for more information.

This screening is also part of the Multi-Faith Week of Meaning and Culture sponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life at F&M. Food will be provided and a discussion of the film will follow. All are welcome to attend.

The Clinton Global Initiative University

The Clinton Global Initiative University was established by President Bill Clinton in 2005 in hopes of gathering global leaders to ‘devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.’ The program accepts applications from individuals and student groups throughout the world, and every year, nearly 1,000 student leaders are chosen to attend a conference, where they make a ‘commitment to action’ for their ideas.

For those interested in making a difference, or impacting the lives of others through innovative ideas, this is a great opportunity. The main focus areas for the program include: education, environment and climate change, poverty alleviation, peace and human rights, and public health. Applicants propose a commitment that they are passionate about, and are selected based on focus area. Here’s a great video that summarizes the program really well.

This year’s conference will be taking place at the George Washington University, on March 30th-April 1st, in which Jon Stewart, Chelsea Clinton, and President Bill Clinton will be making guest appearances. Christian Hartranft '12 Akbar Hossain '13 of the John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society were selected as two of the participants for the Clinton Global Initiative 2012! They will be representing Franklin and Marshall College amongst hundreds of other student leaders and innovators from all over the world.

Government and Law Internship Panel TONIGHT at F&M

Trying to find a summer internship in government or law? Be sure to stop by this discussion tonight in Bonchek College House!

The Government Club and John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society at F&M will be co-hosting a panel for those interested in learning about legal and government orientated internship opportunities and how to go about getting them TONIGHT, February 8, at 6pm in Bonchek College House. The event will consist of a moderated panel of upperclassmen who have had a variety of internship experiences with a Q&A session, followed by an open forum to allow attendees to connect with individuals who might be able to help with their particular needs. Beth Throne, J.D., '95, Associate Vice President for Student and Post-Graduate Development, will also be there to answer any additional questions about institutional support for internship-seekers at F&M. More information can be found below.

Government and Law Internship Panel
Wednesday, February 8, 6:00pm (TONIGHT)
Bonchek College House Great Room

Franklin & Marshall College 

Moderator: Caitlin Krutsick '13

Panelists: Christian Hartranft '12 (interned for the U.S. House of Representatives and for the State of Delaware in the Office of the Public Defender), Laurie Barth '12 (interned in the White House in the Executive Office of the President and for NASA), Alexa Moser '12 (interned with the Republican National Committee), Amanda Duckworth '13 (participated in American University's Washington Semester program and interned in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia)

This event is only open to members of the Franklin & Marshall College community. Pizza and soda will be provided. Sign up to attend by visiting the Facebook Event.

Legal Film Series kicks off TONIGHT (1/29) at F&M

The Legal Film Series at F&M (sponsored by the Center for Liberal Arts & Society and the John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society) kicks off TONIGHT, January 29, with "A Civil Action." The film will start at 7:30pm and will be showing in the Bonchek College House Great Room. Click here for more information.

John Capowski, J.D., who teaches civil procedure, evidence, and litigation at Widener University School of Law, will introduce the film and stick around to answer questions and talk to students. See you there!

Internship Panel at F&M on February 8

The Government Club and John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society at F&M will be co-hosting a panel for those interested in learning about legal and government orientated internship opportunities and how to go about getting them. The event will consist of a moderated panel of upperclassmen who have had a variety of internship experiences with a Q&A session, followed by an open forum to allow attendees to connect with individuals who might be able to help with their particular needs. Beth Throne, J.D., '95, Associate Vice President for Student and Post-Graduate Development, will also be there to answer any additional questions about institutional support for internship-seekers at F&M. More information can be found below.

Government and Law Internship Panel
Wednesday, February 8, 6:00pm
Bonchek College House Great Room

Franklin & Marshall College 

Moderator: Caitlin Krutsick '13

Panelists: Christian Hartranft '12 (interned for the U.S. House of Representatives and for the State of Delaware in the Office of the Public Defender), Laurie Barth '12 (interned in the White House in the Executive Office of the President and for NASA), Alexa Moser '12 (interned with the Republican National Committee), Amanda Duckworth '13 (participated in American University's Washington Semester program and interned in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia)

This event is only open to members of the Franklin & Marshall College community. Pizza and soda will be provided. Sign up to attend by visiting the Facebook Event.

Legal Film Series at F&M during the Spring 2012 semester

A series of legal films will be shown at Franklin & Marshall College during the Spring 2012 semester. Each film will be shown in one of the College Houses (unless otherwise noted) and the screenings will be open to the public. The series is sponsored by F&M's Center for Liberal Arts & Society, John Marshall Pre-Law Honor Society, and College House system. The schedule and description of the films are below. You can also visit the series' website here for more information.

"A Civil Action" (1998)
Sunday, January 29, 7:30pm
Bonchek College House Great Room

A real-life legal thriller based on the book by Jonathan Harr, John Travolta stars as a small-time tort lawyer who risks everything in his lawsuit against two of the country’s largest corporations. Did the companies’ toxic waste cause the deaths of several children in the community? F&M alumni (hydrogeologists) were involved in the actual case, which presented complex issues of scientific proof and legal causation.

"Philadelphia" (1993)

Friday, February 17, 7:30pm
Brooks College House Great Room
A lawyer becomes a client after being fired from his law firm because he has AIDS. Homophobia is on trial in this powerful film directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Tom Hanks (who won the Academy Award for Best Actor) and Denzel Washington. Bruce Springsteen also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the title score, "Streets of Philadelphia."

"GATTACA" (1997)

Wednesday, February 22, 7:30pm
Lisa Bonchek Adams Auditorium, Kaufman Hall
What if your options in life were limited by your genes? In this futuristic film starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law, the legal system serves society’s interests in protecting “superior DNA,” and not the rights of the individual. Come see why film critic Roger Ebert considered GATTACA “one of the smartest and most provocative of science fiction films, a thriller with ideas.”

"The Paper Chase" (1973)

Friday, March 2, 7:30pm
New College House Seminar Room
The experience of being a first-year law student is immortalized in this film starring John Houseman as an intimidating professor of contract law. “You come in here with a skull full of mush,” says Charles W. Kingsfield, Jr., on the first day of class, “and you leave thinking like a lawyer.” Woe to anyone who comes unprepared to Professor Kingsfield’s class!

"To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962)

Wednesday, March 21, 7:30pm
Ware College House Great Room
Considered by many to be the best legal movie ever made, this film is based on the Pulitzer Prize- winning novel by Harper Lee. Gregory Peck won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Atticus Finch, a courageous small-town attorney who battles prejudice in the Depression-era south. This film also reminds us that the best lawyers are also great teachers.