At Fielding Law, we believe investing in the future of the legal profession starts with investing in people. That is why our team recently attended On-Campus Interviews, also known as OCIs, at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law.
Ryan Cooper, a Chapman alum and attorney at Fielding Law, attended alongside Siera Garcia from our People & Culture team. The two had the opportunity to meet law students, learn about their experiences, and connect with future attorneys who are beginning to shape their careers.
It was a fun and meaningful experience for our team. For Ryan, returning to Chapman as an alum made the day even more special.
What Are On-Campus Interviews?
On-Campus Interviews are an important part of the law school recruiting process. They give employers and law students an opportunity to connect through interviews hosted directly on campus.
Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law offers an on-campus recruiting program that connects employers with students for potential internships, clerkships and employment opportunities.
For law students, OCIs can be an important step toward building their professional careers. They provide an opportunity to meet employers, ask questions, and learn more about different areas of the legal profession.
For law firms, these events provide something equally valuable: the chance to meet the people behind the resumes.
At Fielding Law, that personal connection matters.
Why Fielding Law Participates
Finding the right people to join a law firm is about more than reviewing a resume.
Our attorneys and team members work closely together to help clients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. That takes legal knowledge, but it also takes empathy, communication, professionalism and a genuine desire to help others.
Events like OCIs give us an opportunity to look for those qualities.
A resume can tell us where someone went to school and what experiences they have had. A conversation can tell us much more. We can learn what motivates someone, what areas of law interest them and what they hope to accomplish in their career.
It also gives students an opportunity to learn about Fielding Law.
We can share what it is like to work at a boutique plaintiff personal injury law firm and explain the type of work our attorneys handle. Students can ask questions and get a better understanding of what a career in personal injury law can look like.
That exchange is valuable for everyone involved.
A Full-Circle Moment for Ryan
For Ryan Cooper, attending the Chapman OCI event had an added layer of meaning.
Ryan is a Chapman University Fowler School of Law alum. He once walked the halls as a law student preparing for his own career. This time, he returned to campus as a practicing attorney and representative of Fielding Law.
That perspective gives Ryan a unique understanding of what students may be experiencing.
Law school is filled with important decisions. Students are thinking about their practice areas, career goals, and what they want their professional lives to look like after graduation.
Having the opportunity to speak with an attorney who has already made that transition can provide a valuable perspective.
Ryan knows firsthand what it is like to be on the other side of the interview process. Now, he has an opportunity to connect with students who are preparing to take their own next steps.
Returning to Chapman was a full-circle moment and a great opportunity to give back to the law school community.
People and Culture Matters
Siera Garcia from People and Culture joined Ryan at the event, bringing another important perspective to the conversations.
At Fielding Law, recruiting is not simply about finding people with strong academic backgrounds. It is about finding people who can contribute to our team and share our commitment to our clients.
Culture plays an important role in that process.
Our team works together every day, so communication and collaboration matter. We want people who are willing to learn, contribute, and support those around them.
Meeting students in person helps us learn more about who they are beyond their resumes. It also gives students the chance to learn about our people and what makes Fielding Law different.
The right fit should work both ways.
Building Connections with Future Attorneys
One of the most valuable parts of attending events like Chapman’s OCI is the opportunity to build connections before a student ever joins a law firm.
Not every conversation has to lead directly to a job.
Sometimes, it is about helping a student learn more about personal injury law. Sometimes, it is about sharing a different perspective on practicing law. Sometimes, it is simply about giving a future attorney an opportunity to talk with someone who has already taken the path they are preparing to take.
Those conversations can make a difference.
At Fielding Law, we believe being involved in the legal community means more than practicing law. It also means supporting the people who will carry the profession forward.
OCIs give us a chance to do exactly that.
Supporting The Next Generation of Attorneys
The next generation of attorneys will bring new ideas, experiences, and perspectives to the legal profession.
They will become advocates for clients, colleagues, leaders and mentors. Some will build careers in areas of law they have not even discovered yet.
We believe law firms can play a role in helping students explore those possibilities.
That support can take many forms, including mentorship, internships, clerkships, networking and career conversations. Participating in events like OCIs is one way Fielding Law can connect with future attorneys and support them as they begin their careers.
We are proud to be part of that process.
More Than an Interview
An On-Campus Interview may be a short conversation, but the connection can last much longer.
For students, it is an opportunity to meet potential employers and learn about different paths in the legal profession. For attorneys, it is a chance to connect with future colleagues and give back to the law school community.
For Ryan, returning to Chapman as an alum made the experience especially meaningful. He was once a student preparing for his own career in law. Now, he has the opportunity to help the next generation take that same step.
Looking Ahead
At Fielding Law, we are proud to support law students and the future of the legal profession. Events like Chapman’s OCIs allow us to meet talented students, share our experience, and build relationships within the legal community.
We had a great time connecting with the Chapman Fowler School of Law community and look forward to continuing to support future attorneys along their journey.
Interested in joining the Fielding Law team? Keep an eye on our Careers page for future opportunities.
