L-STAR
The Law Student Travel
and Accommodations Reimbursement Program (L-STAR) is a national
fundraising initiative that runs in conjunction with law school
on-campus interviewing (OCI) programs. If a law student stays with
family or friends instead of in a hotel during a callback interview,
the interviewing law firm(s) agrees to donate $215 to that student's
public interest funding organization. Many firms have also agreed to
donate $35 for students who are able to forego transportation to and
from the airport in the destination city.
The origins of
L-STAR lie in the Student Funded Fellowship's "Hotel Voucher Program,"
which raised more than $10,000 for public interest work in 2004. In
cooperation with The University of Virginia, The University of Chicago,
Northwestern University and Boston University, SFF has launched L-STAR
nationwide. L-STAR benefits both firms and students. By participating,
law firms enjoy recognition for supporting public interest law at law
schools across the country. Participating students can enjoy the fact
that they are making it possible for their classmates to provide legal
services to those most in need of the energy, dedication, and talent of
University of Michigan law students.
Click here to download the 2011 L-STAR
Form
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I participate
in L-STAR?
1)
The money raised makes it possible for your fellow students to provide
a variety of legal aid to non-profit and government agencies.
2) L-STAR gives law firms an opportunity to demonstrate support for
Michigan Law students and public interest law.
Who can participate in
L-STAR?
Any
student going on a callback interview (at a participating firm) whose
family or friends can provide a room for the night or a ride to and
from the airport in the destination city.
Where do I get L-STAR
forms?
Pick
up hard copies at the Office of Career Services (Room 210 HH), over the
student Pendaflexes, and at the SFF Basement Groups Board. You can also
download the L-Star form here, but please remember to print it
double-sided.
How do I find out if my
firm participates in L-STAR?
Review the list (Excel) on SFF's website or posted outside the Office
of Career Services (Room 210 Hutchins Hall).
What if I'm not
interviewing with an OCI firm?
Use
L-STAR anyway! Even if you're interviewing with a small firm or a firm
that doesn't come to campus - any firm that's willing to put you up in
a hotel can participate in L-STAR. Just decline a hotel room and submit
the L-STAR form with your receipts. If the firm has any questions
direct them to our website or lstar@umich.edu. We'll do the rest.
Do I have to ask about
L-STAR when I schedule my interview?
Nope.
Just decline hotel accommodations and submit an L-STAR form with your
receipts for reimbursement. We'll do the rest. Feel free to bring
L-STAR up at any time though - we love the publicity.
But do I have to mention
L-STAR at the callback?
Not
if you don't want to. Just go to your callback well rested and relaxed
after spending the night with friends and family and submit the L-STAR
form when you submit all your other travel receipts.
Does using L-STAR have a
negative effect on my interview or prospects?
Not
at all! L-STAR has no effect on your interview or chance at landing a
job. Almost every firm participates in L-STAR - it gives firms a chance
to increase their commitment to public service. Firms that don't
participate just let SFF know that they can't make a commitment at this
time - there is no negative effect on the student interviewing.
Also
keep in mind that most hiring committees don't care (or even know!)
about your travel arrangements and that most students don't even submit
their receipts until after offers are made, so you have plenty of time
to wow the firm before submitting your L-STAR form.
When must I decide to
participate in L-STAR for a particular callback?
At
any point before you get that room key! Simply inform the firm that you
won't need accommodations during your visit. You can even cancel
arrangements you've already made (as long as you follow the hotel's
cancellation policy).
What's this I heard about
getting a friend to drop me off at the airport?
This
year L-STAR has a new initiative - we're asking firms to donate $35 for
any student who gets a ride to or from the airport from friends. The
process for using this program is the same as using L-STAR for hotels.
Simply get a friend to drop you off or pick you up and submit the
L-STAR form with your receipts. We'll do the rest.
What if I'm visiting more
than one firm during one callback trip?
Submit hotel vouchers to each firm you interview with during that trip.
The firms will take care of the rest.
After I return from my
callback, how do I complete the L-STAR process?
Fill
out the two-part L-STAR form, return one part to the firm with your
expense log and return the other part to the Office of Career Services.
If I participate in
L-STAR, does that mean I never get to stay in a hotel?
NO!!! You can decide on a firm-by-firm basis. We'd like everyone to
donate one night's stay.
I already made my
arrangements but now I want to use L-STAR!
Unlike
nonrefundable airfares, hotel rooms are usually fully refundable until
the day of your arrival. If your best friend moves or Great Aunt
Mildred offers you space in the spare room, just call the travel agent
back and cancel that hotel. Submit the L-STAR form with your receipts
and we'll follow up.
What if I want to support
SFF but don't have friends or family in a callback city?
No
problem! Donate and/or win something at our auction, donate a day's
pay, or just donate whatever you can. Most law firms match your
donations so be sure to let us know where you're working if you donate
- that way we can follow up with your firm and double your donation.
If
I have additional questions about the L-STAR process, whom do I
contact?
The L-STAR Coodinator, Kelsey Breck.
Click here to send
Kelsey an email.
Anne
talks about
working for
a tiny non-profit organization called Mil Mujeres in Washington, D.C.
Mil Mujeres is situated in Columbia Heights, a heavily Latin area of
the city. The organization assists (click for more ...)
Eric
Chisholm (3L summer starter) served on the Board as L-STAR Coordinator,
Firm Donations Coordinator, Auction Refreshments Coordinator, and
Auction Program Coordinator. He also coordinated local bar events.
