R A

M P

Cardozo Laws Resident

Associate Mentor
Program (RAMP)
Helping put recent graduates on the path
to meaningful employment.

Cardozo Law introduces the Resident Associate Mentor Program (RAMP)an innovative initiative providing
new graduates with opportunities to work as full-time associates at small- and medium-sized law firms and
corporate legal departments for one year post-graduation.
Firms and legal departments participating in RAMP hire graduates as Resident Associates, at a salary similar
to a fellowship. Participating employers commit to train and mentor their Resident Associates for one year.
In addition, the law school provides CLE and professional development training for participating employers
and graduates.

F O R EMPL OYERS, RAMP PROVIDES:

F OR RECEN T G R A D U AT ES, RAM P P R O V I D E S :

An opportunity for small- and medium- sized firms

and legal departments to employ new lawyers at an
affordable cost

Fellowship-style jobs, in which they perform the equivalent

of associate work for one year

A way to grow their firm or legal department by hiring

bright and motivated new lawyers, without taking on a
financial commitment beyond one year

A chance to build essential practice skills, and to work

directly with clients
An opportunity to be better positioned to make a lateral
move with experience, and a great way to launch a
permanent career

At the end of one year the legal residency ends, but employers can sign up for another year with a new Resident Associate, or if they
wish, they can hire their already-trained associate on terms that work for both parties.

E M P L O Y E R S A N D S T U D E N T S I N T E R E S T E D I N R A M P, P L E A S E C O N TA C T D E A N P AT R I C I A M O R R I S S Y, P AT R I C I A . M O R R I S S Y @ Y U . E D U

R A M P FACTS

Salary: $43,000 potential salary, consisting of a guaranteed

$38,000 salary with an optional $5,000 increase with bar
examination passage or bar admission.
The salary is competitive with a fellowship or residency program,
making it affordable for RAMP employers to hire new associates
when they otherwise would not have done so.

Candidates are interviewed and selected by the

firms and legal departments.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Training

A benefits package is not required as a condition to participate

in RAMP; however, we strongly urge employers to offer one.

Cardozo provides ongoing training for Resident Associates, and

requires their attendance at regular meetings to discuss their
experiences in the program. In addition, we provide free CLE
opportunities for the employer and Resident Associates, practical
skills programs through our new Center for Professional Development (CPD), and networking events designed to benefit both the
employers and Resident Associates beyond the resident year.

The Hiring Process: Tailored to Everyones Needs

Eligibility and Application Process

The Office of Career Services (OCS) works with each employer to

understand its culture and specific hiring criteria, and to create
an employer profile. We use that to advertise the position in our
Symplicity database and when conducting screening interviews.

All recent J.D. and LL.M. graduates are eligible to apply for RAMP.
Interview dates and locations will be determined by the employer.
Graduates may apply to as many RAMP employers as they like, as
long as they meet each employers particular hiring criteria.

Benefits: At the Employers Discretion

R I CK K OP STE I N

My employer, Leason Ellis, has provided

me with a great opportunity to learn about
my preferred legal field, get hands-on
experience in substantive legal tasks, and
receive constructive feedback on the work
I produce. Most importantly, theRAMP
program has given me a way to jump-start
my career in an otherwise difficult
legal market.
Jessica Blumert 13 is an associate for the Office for Legal Affairs at Diamonds
International. Elchonon Shagalov 10, General Counsel & VP for Legal Affairs at
Diamonds International, hired Blumert as part of the RAMP program.

JARRYD WERTS 13

We hope that you will consider the benefits of participating in Cardozos RAMP
program and hire our talented and ambitious new graduates. Our RAMP program
consultants are available to meet with you at any time.

E M P L O Y E R S A N D S T U D E N T S I N T E R E S T E D I N R A M P, P L E A S E C O N TA C T D E A N P AT R I C I A M O R R I S S Y, P AT R I C I A . M O R R I S S Y @ Y U . E D U