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Reciprocity Guide

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Statement of Reciprocity

The Career Development and Alumni Services office understands that looking for a job can be stressful, particularly when the law student or graduate is seeking a job in an area outside the greater Washington metropolitan area. Reciprocity is one method in the job search process.

Reciprocity is a mutual exchange of privileges. Law schools use reciprocity to provide reasonable access to their career resources for law students and graduates from other law schools who agree to provide similar access and services.

It is important to remember, however, that reciprocity is only one method in the job search process. Individuals seeking jobs must explore other sources for finding employment in a different geographic area (such as employment listings/bulletins (particularly those from law schools in the geographic area in which the job is sought); classified advertisements; local, state and national bar associations; the Internet; reference publications; and networking opportunities).

Requests/Requirements For Reciprocity

It is important to understand that every law school has its own reciprocity requirements. Students and alumni should check with their own law school's career services office regarding the reciprocity policies of other schools.

• Most law schools require written requests for reciprocity from the requesting law school's career services office. This request should be sent several weeks in advance of the student's/graduate's scheduled visit.
• If reciprocity is granted, it is important for the student/graduate to read and honor the reciprocity policy of the host school.
• In some geographic areas having a number of law schools in close proximity, reciprocity services may be arranged only at one law school in that area. Accordingly, requests should be made to only one of these schools.

Reciprocity Services

Services vary among the law schools that offer reciprocity. Generally, these services may include access to:

• the host law school's career services facilities -- at some schools this is available on a fee basis only;
• legal publications, directories and handouts;
• job listings;
• employment bulletins--at some schools these may be available on subscription basis.

Services generally not available are:

• participation in recruitment programs and job fairs;
• counseling;
• resume review services.

The duration of reciprocity services also varies from school to school. Reciprocity services, when granted, are usually available for a limited time and for a limited number of visits.

In addition, most law schools have a "blackout" period during the time when law schools are preparing for and conducting their recruitment programs (usually from August until November).

Code of Conduct for Law Students

• Give your law school career services staff sufficient notice for them to initiate the reciprocity request.
• Read and honor the reciprocity policy of the host school. George Mason's policy is set forth below. Remember that the host law school's students and graduates have first priority at all times for the use of the career services staff and facilities.
• Call the career services office of the host school in advance of your visit.
• Bring identification and all correspondence from the host school.
• If you respond to job postings from the host school, mention this fact in your cover letter to employers.
• Give feedback to George Mason's Career Development and Alumni Services Office about resources you found helpful.

George Mason University School of Law Reciprocity

The Career Development and Alumni Services Office offers access to students and alumni of other ABA-accredited law schools on a one-to-one basis. Due to the volume of requests each month, we must restrict use of our facilities based on the following guidelines:

1. Requests for reciprocity must be made in writing by a career counseling official of the requesting law school. The requesting law school must receive written notification that reciprocity has been granted before the student/alumnus enters the office. It will be the responsibility of the requesting school to notify its students or alumni of the grant or denial of reciprocity.
   
   
2. Reciprocity visitors must bring a copy of the grant letter with them when they use the office. Each time they visit the office, they must sign in and inform the receptionist that they have reciprocity.
   
   
3. Reciprocity visitors are permitted to use the office for one month beginning on the day of their first visit to the office. Repeat requests are rarely granted. The first visit must take place within three months of the date of the grant letter.
   
   
4. Reciprocity visitors may review job openings listed with the Office of Career Services. Visitors do not have access to on-campus interviews, special resume collections, job fairs or the job listings database.
   
   
5. Requests for reciprocity may be made to only one DC area law school (Georgetown, Catholic, George Washington, University of the District of Columbia, Howard and American).
   
   
6. Reciprocity visitors do not have access to the Law School's Lexis/Westlaw network.
   
   
7. Reciprocity shall not be granted during Recruiting Programs.

For our students, the following rule applies:

Reciprocity is not available with other DC area schools listed above.