Career Services > Employers > Overview > SMU Dedman School of Law Policies
SMU Dedman School of Law Policies
Non-Discrimination Policy
Every employer must observe Southern Methodist University’s principles of equal
opportunity, stated in the Non-Discrimination Policy , as a condition to obtaining any form of placement assistance from SMU
Dedman School of Law or use of the school’s facilities. A signed copy of this policy from each employer, will be kept on record in the Office of Career Services.
Student Privacy
It is the Law School's policy not to provide employers with demographic information about any of its
students, students campus address, telephone, or e-mail addresses.
However, if you want us to notify students on
your behalf, please contact Karen Sargent at kcsargent@smu.edu to discuss your needs.
Offers
All employers participating in On-Campus Interviewing
("OCI") are required to hold open offers extended to students until
the dates set forth in the NALP Standards for the Timing of Offers and
Decisions set forth below.
| 2L/3L Student Response Dates |
| 2L/3L
student not previously employed should have offer made open 45 days following date of offer or until December 30, whichever comes first. |
| 2L/3L
student with an offer made after December 15, offer should remain open for at least two weeks after the date of offer letter. |
| 2L/3L
student may request that an employer extend the deadline to accept until as late as April 1 if student is actively pursuing positions with public interest or government organizations. Students are only allowed to hold one offer open in such circumstances. |
| 2L/3L
student previously employed should have offer left open until at least November 15. |
Students should not hold open more than five offers of employment at any one time. For each offer received that places a student over the limit, the student should, within one week of receipt of the excess offer, release an offer.
Employers with 40 or fewer attorneys firm wide are exempted from these
rules. Offers made on or before December 15 should remain open for a minimum of three weeks. Offers made after December 15 should remain open for at least two weeks.
Grading Policy
Employers are free to ask students for information about
their grades and may request that students provide transcripts. Click here for more information on SMU's
grading system.
Interviewing & Callback Policies
Prescreening
Employers are permitted to prescreen candidates or ask for transcripts in advance of the
on-campus interview.
No Interviewing Outside of Assigned Interview Schedule
The Office of Career Services assigns on-campus interview
dates and arranges second- and third-year on-campus interview schedules for
employers. An employer participating in OCI may not schedule or conduct any
initial or callback interviews prior to the employer’s assigned on-campus
interview date(s) of students who will be 2Ls in the fall. This policy
does not apply to (a) students who will be 3Ls in the fall; (b) student-initiated
requests for informational interviews; or (c) interviews conducted in
accordance with organized job fairs.
Callbacks
Employers and students who make use of the facilities and
services of the Office of Career Services must limit interview to fly out week,
vacation periods, weekends, or other times that do not conflict with scheduled
classes.
Recruiting First-Year
Students
The Office of Career Services does not make services available
to first-year students prior to November 1 as set forth by the National Association
for Law Placement (NALP). In addition, prospective employers should not
communicate with first-year students before December 1 or arrange meetings with
first-year students during the fall recruitment season, even if the contact is
student initiated.