Test Drive -- Learn about the Program

Test Drive proved to be an attractive option for legal employers for the last three years, and the program has been extended for employers and our 2013 graduates.

Our May 2010 and 2011 graduates were able to begin this program after sitting for the July (or February) bar exam. Graduates have secured Test Drive employment in law firms, corporations and government, and not only in Texas, but also in California, New York, Kansas and Missouri. A recent article about the success of Test Drive is here.

We invite you to learn more about this pioneering program and thank you for your support of our graduates and SMU Dedman School of Law.

SMU DEDMAN SCHOOL OF LAW
TEST DRIVE
CLASS OF 2013 LAW PRACTICE INITIATIVE

INVESTING IN OUR GRADUATES . . .
YOUR FIRM
. . . AND TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE OF OUR LEGAL COMMUNITY

Test Drive --

A pioneering concept enabling Class of 2013 graduates from SMU Dedman School of Law to target legal employers with whom there is potential employment and to work for that employer full-time, on a provisional basis, toward the goal of securing long-term employment.  Test Drive is an opportunity for Class of 2013 graduates to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, work ethic, and professionalism to legal employers with whom they desire to work.

Employers:

The Law School will fund a graduate’s salary of $3,500 for a one month Test Drive -- a “no strings attached” opportunity to allow a legal employer the ability to evaluate a Class of 2013 graduate on a trial basis.

By applying to participate in Test Drive the employer indicates an identified need to hire a new associate for full-time, long term employment.

• If at the conclusion of the one month Test Drive the graduate has demonstrated the knowledge and skills needed to perform the functions of the job, the employer and graduate would like to continue the relationship toward long-term, full-time employment, and there is a likelihood that this candidate will receive an offer of employment, the employer can petition the Law School to consider funding one, additional month of employment for $3,500.
• If, however, the employer or graduate determines after one month not to pursue long-term employment, the employer, the graduate and the Law School have no further obligation

To post a Test Drive position

Complete the job posting form at https://www.law.smu.edu/testdrivejobposting

To register for Test Drive once a graduate has been identified

Submit the Employer Registration:

MONTH ONE

To register for a one month Test Drive the employer submits the Test Drive Employer Registration. The Employer Registration may be completed and submitted online at http://www.law.smu.edu/Forms/CareerServices/Test-Drive-Employer-Registration.aspx.

To initiate funding for Test Drive employment, the Law School must receive the Employer Registration prior to the date employment commences.    Upon receipt of the Employer Registration and approval of the Test Drive, the Law School will disburse to the employer $3,500 within approximately 21 days of receiving a Form W-9 from the employer. The graduate is an employee of the employer. The employer is responsible for paying the graduate-employee $3,500 less applicable federal and state withholding taxes and other deductions.

MONTH TWO

To continue Test Drive for a second month leading to full-time employment, the employer must complete and submit for approval the Test Drive – Petition before commencing the second month of Test Drive employment.

Upon receipt of the Test Drive Petition and approval of the second month of Test Drive employment, the Law School will disburse funds within 21 days of the date of the approval. The Test Drive Petition is attached and may be faxed to the Office of Career Services at 214-768-4390.

We are grateful for the continued support the legal community has shown for our law school and thank you for considering Test Drive.