Associate Director for Career Services at Rutgers–Newark Law School Named Chair of NALP Public Service Section
NEWARK, NJ – Jessica Kitson, Associate Director for Career Services and Co-Director of the Eric R. Neisser Public Interest Program at Rutgers School of Law–Newark, has been named 2011-2012 chair of the Public Service Section of the National Association of Law Placement (NALP), the association for legal career professionals. As chair, Kitson oversees work groups dedicated to a range of activities from educational programming to employment data analysis.
“NALP plays a vital role in advancing public sector/public interest employment,” said Kitson, “and I’m delighted for the opportunity to help move forward some key efforts of its Public Service Section. I’m also pleased to be able to share with Rutgers–Newark students the creative thinking about law school public interest programs, job search resources, and career development that my association with NALP provides.”
Kitson’s appointment is further testament to the strong focus on public service at Rutgers School of Law–Newark. Dean John J. Farmer, Jr. is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, New Jersey Attorney General, and senior counsel to the 9/11 Commission. Vice Dean Ronald Chen was New Jersey Public Advocate and is the recipient of the Alumni Association’s Fannie Bear Besser Award for Public Service. Recognizing the strength of its Clinical Program, loan repayment assistance program, and public interest activities, prelaw Magazine recently ranked the school third among “Best Law Schools for Public Interest.”
The Eric Neisser Public Interest Program, under the shared direction of Kitson and Clinical Professor Laura Cohen, provides opportunities for students to explore public service through award-winning pro bono projects, fellowship programs and internships, and assists students interested in developing careers in public service. The Neisser Program also provides programming that promotes awareness of current legal and social issues throughout the law school community. Its latest initiative is the Pro Bono Student Board, which gives students leadership roles in promoting and coordinating pro bono opportunities for Rutgers–Newark law students.
Kitson received her J.D. from Rutgers School of Law–Newark, where she was a Wenk Fellow, editor-in-chief of the Women’s Rights Law Reporter, and a co-founder of the Domestic Violence Advocacy Project. She received her B.A., with honors, in history and women’s studies from Rutgers College. Prior to joining the law school in 2004, she worked at the law firm of Duane Morris LLP as public interest counsel.
“NALP plays a vital role in advancing public sector/public interest employment,” said Kitson, “and I’m delighted for the opportunity to help move forward some key efforts of its Public Service Section. I’m also pleased to be able to share with Rutgers–Newark students the creative thinking about law school public interest programs, job search resources, and career development that my association with NALP provides.”
Kitson’s appointment is further testament to the strong focus on public service at Rutgers School of Law–Newark. Dean John J. Farmer, Jr. is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, New Jersey Attorney General, and senior counsel to the 9/11 Commission. Vice Dean Ronald Chen was New Jersey Public Advocate and is the recipient of the Alumni Association’s Fannie Bear Besser Award for Public Service. Recognizing the strength of its Clinical Program, loan repayment assistance program, and public interest activities, prelaw Magazine recently ranked the school third among “Best Law Schools for Public Interest.”
The Eric Neisser Public Interest Program, under the shared direction of Kitson and Clinical Professor Laura Cohen, provides opportunities for students to explore public service through award-winning pro bono projects, fellowship programs and internships, and assists students interested in developing careers in public service. The Neisser Program also provides programming that promotes awareness of current legal and social issues throughout the law school community. Its latest initiative is the Pro Bono Student Board, which gives students leadership roles in promoting and coordinating pro bono opportunities for Rutgers–Newark law students.
Kitson received her J.D. from Rutgers School of Law–Newark, where she was a Wenk Fellow, editor-in-chief of the Women’s Rights Law Reporter, and a co-founder of the Domestic Violence Advocacy Project. She received her B.A., with honors, in history and women’s studies from Rutgers College. Prior to joining the law school in 2004, she worked at the law firm of Duane Morris LLP as public interest counsel.
Media Contact: Janet Donohue
973-353-5553
E-mail: jdonohue@andromeda.rutgers.edu