Principles of Professional Conduct are standards developed to reflect the professionalism expectations of employers and the legal community. 

The professional conduct of each Rutgers law student has an impact on all Rutgers law students and alumni and as well as the value of a Rutgers law degree.  You are the beneficiaries of the ethical conduct of previous classes. 

Because adherence to the Principles of Professional Conduct has a positive effect on all Rutgers law students and alumni, your agreement to abide by these principles is therefore required.  Conduct that is in direct violation of these principles may result in Law School imposed penalties, including, but not limited to a letter placed in your permanent school file, which may be considered by the Law School in the process of certifying you for fitness for state bar membership, and a referral to the Dean for further sanctions.  Non-compliance may also result in exclusion from participation in any and all Center for Career Development programs, including on campus recruiting programs.

I.   Professional Conduct.  Throughout the employment search process, students are expected act ethically and with integrity and to adhere to the following tenets: 

  1. Students will accept responsibility for their job search as well as their career and professional development.
  2. Students will recognize that the most effective job search is one in which they are proactive and engaged.
  3. Students will stay informed about deadlines, new developments, opportunities and events offered by the Center for Career Development by checking their Symplicity account and Rutgers email account regularly and carefully reading emails from the Center for Career Development.
  4. Students will represent qualifications and interests completely and accurately to employers and the Center for Career Development representatives.  The Center for Career Development may correct any misstatements or misleading information provided to any representative of the Center for Career Development or to any employers.
  5. Students will submit applications to, and interview with, only those employers in whom they have a genuine interest.
  6. Students will honor all scheduling commitments with prospective employers. 
    • Cancellations should occur only for good cause and, except as provided in the On Campus Interview Program General Information Packet addressing the cancellation of interviews during OCI, should be communicated as soon as possible via telephone or e-mail to both the employer and the Center for Career Development, preferably at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment.  If an interview is missed without notice or cancelled less than 48 hours prior to the appointment, the student must immediately e-mail a letter of apology to the employer, with a copy to the Center for Career Development.  Invitations for in-office interviews should be acknowledged within one (1) business day and accepted only if the student has a genuine interest in the employer.
    • Employer-hosted events are considered to be part of the employment search process and should be treated with the same level of professionalism. Students should sign-up only for employer events they genuinely intend to attend. Cancellations should occur only for good cause and should be communicated as soon as possible via telephone or e-mail to both the employer and the Center for Career Development, preferably at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled event.  If an employer event is missed without notice or cancelled less than 48 hours prior to the event, the student must immediately e-mail a letter of apology to the employer, with a copy to the Center for Career Development.
  1. Students will honor all employment commitments. Upon acceptance of an offer of employment, students must cease pursuing additional employment opportunities.  Students will, upon acceptance of an offer of employment, immediately notify the Center for Career Development and all other employers who consider them to be active candidates that they have accepted a position. 

II.    NALP Principles and Standards for Law Placement and Recruiting

Rutgers Law School is a member school of The National Association for Law Placement (NALP).  Therefore, every student must abide by NALP Principles and Standards for Law Placement and Recruiting Activities in their entirety, which is available at https://www.nalp.org/fulltextofnalpprinciplesandstandards.

III.       Reporting Employment Results.

Students must respond to all Center for Career Development requests to gather employment information promptly and accurately in order for Rutgers Law School to comply with institutional, American Bar Association, and National Association for Legal Professionals reporting requirements.