'Double 'Hoos' Return to UVA Law as Directors of Career Services

University of Virginia School of Law graduates Lauren Ventre and Marit Spekman are the new directors of career services at the Law School.

Ventre, a 2012 graduate, began with Career Services last year as associate director, having previously managed the On-Grounds Interviewing program for the University's undergraduate Career Services — a role that involved coordinating the logistics of more than 6,500 interviews annually for more than 3,000 students and recruiters. She also worked with a team that was responsible for maintaining and developing relationships with employers interested in recruiting University students.

Spekman, a 2009 graduate, comes from the New York office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, where she was an associate for six years and served as a member of the firm's Professional Personnel/Legal Recruiting and Professional Development committees.

Both are "Double 'Hoos," having earned law and bachelor's degrees from UVA.

"I am a huge fan of UVA," Ventre said. "I had a wonderful experience as a student, both as an undergraduate and in law school. I think having been a student I understand the culture and what a friendly place the Law School is, but I've also been under the same pressures. So I think for the students having someone who has been through the same experiences can be great as a sounding board."

Spekman and Ventre advise students and alumni on private-sector positions, helping them evaluate practice areas, firms and legal markets and develop strategies to compete effectively for the positions they target. They assist students as they create resumes and cover letters and work with them to prepare effectively for interviews. They also are working on a range of office initiatives, including developing online resources and programming for students and assisting with employer relations.

Spekman has had the unique perspective of participating in On-Grounds Interviews as a student, an employer and, now, in an advisory role. She said she looks forward to building relationships with students and helping them achieve their career goals.

"We were at the 1L open house chatting with people on day two of their classes," Spekman said. "We'll be there from the beginning for them, and it's exciting to think about where the next three years will take them."

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