The Lawyer Professional Development Section is for NALP members who are interested in or have a responsibility for law firm professional development programming.
Join Section Group on NALPconnect
2020-21 Section Chair: Carrie English, Husch Blackwell LLP
February 2021 Board Report (PDF)
November 2020 Board Report (PDF)
July 2020 Board Report (PDF)
Work Groups:
Education Work Group: Annual Education Conference / PDI / Bulletin Article Planning
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2021 Annual Education Conference, for the 2020 and 2021 Professional Development Institute, topics for NALP Bulletin articles, and other topical presentations for Section members. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both.
Lawyer/Law Student Professional Development Collaboration
Collaborate with the Law Student Professional Development Section to develop and deliver programming on legal career development strategies for law students and lawyers from recruitment through retirement and assess the effectiveness of professional development courses/programs from a student's perspective/associate's perspective. Evaluate best practices in virtual programming given physical distancing and the need to provide remote education.
Best Practices in Lawyer PD/PD For the PD Professional
Expand best practices resources on the NALP website and on NALPconnect. Host webinars on PD best practices topics as well as member support programs (providing effective virtual programming in a world of physical distancing, mentoring those new to the profession, sharing resources etc).
Member Relations & Membership/Development
Continue to strategize about ways of increasing membership in the Section and increasing collaboration with PDC. Reach out to new and/or continuing members on a periodic basis to welcome them to the section and educate them about ways to get involved.
Professional Identity Formation
Collaborate with the Law Student Professional Development Section and law school faculty to assist in the study of professional identity formation. Support the efforts of the Holloran Center at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, especially in environmental scanning of the PD programs of law schools and law firms.
Knowledge Management
Collaborate with the KM Advisory Group in helping to identify, review, and classify NALP information relevant to Lawyer Professional Development to assist in more effective data searches.
2019-20 Section Chair: Tamesha Keel, Thompson & Knight LLP, tamesha.keel@tklaw.com
April 2020 Board Report (PDF)
February 2020 Board Report (PDF)
November 2019 Board Report (PDF)
July 2019 Board Report (PDF)
Work Groups:
Strategic Planning
Collect feedback and prepare a memorandum to the Board of Directors highlighting strategic goals for the Section and its subject matter and/or area of interest.
Education Work Group: Annual Education Conference / PDI / Bulletin Article Planning
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2020 Annual Education Conference, for the 2019 Professional Development Institute, topics for NALP Bulletin articles, and other topical presentations for Section members. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both.
Lawyer/Law Student Professional Development Collaboration
Collaborate with the Law Student Professional Development Section to develop and deliver programming on legal career development strategies for law students and lawyers from recruitment through retirement and assess the effectiveness of professional development courses/programs from a student's perspective/associate's perspective.
Best Practices in Lawyer PD/PD For the PD Professional
Expand best practices resources on the NALP website and on NALPconnect. Host webinars on PD best practices topics as well as member support programs (mentoring those new to the profession, sharing resources etc).
Membership/Development
Continue to strategize about ways of increasing membership in the Section and increasing collaboration with PDC.
Professional Identity Formation
Collaborate with the Law Student Professional Development Section and law school faculty to assist in the study of professional identity formation. Support the efforts of the Holloran Center at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, especially in environmental scanning of the PD programs of law schools and law firms.
2018-19 Section Chair: Jeanette Forgey, Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, P.C., jeanette.forgey@wolfgreenfield.com
April 2019 Board Report (PDF)
February 2019 Board Report (PDF)
July 2018 Board Report (PDF)
November 2018 Board Report (PDF)
Work Groups:
Education Work Group: Annual Education Conference / PDI / Bulletin Article Planning
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2019 Annual Education Conference, for the 2018 Professional Development Institute, topics for NALP Bulletin articles, and other topical presentations for Section members. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both.
Lawyer/Law Student Professional Development Collaboration
Collaborate with the Law Student Professional Development Section to develop and deliver programming on legal career development strategies for law students and lawyers from recruitment through retirement and assess the effectiveness of professional development courses/programs from a student's perspective/associate's perspective.
Best Practices in Lawyer PD/PD For the PD Professional
Expand best practices resources on the NALP website and on NALPconnect.
Host webinars on PD best practices topics as well as member support programs (mentoring those new to the profession, sharing resources etc).
Membership/Development
Continue to strategize about ways of increasing membership in the Section and increasing collaboration with PDC.
Professional Identity Formation
Collaborate with the Law Student Professional Development Section and law school faculty to assist in the study of professional identity formation. Support the efforts of the Holloran Center at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, especially in environmental scanning of the PD programs of law schools and law firms.
2017-18 Section Chair: Jennifer Gallinson, Much Shelist PC, jgallinson@muchshelist.com
April 2018 Board Report (PDF)
February 2018 Board Report (PDF)
November 2017 Board Report (PDF)
July 2017 Board Report (PDF)
Work Groups:
Education Work Group: Annual Education Conference/PDI/Bulletin
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2017 Annual Education Conference, for the 2017 Professional Development Institute, topics for NALP Bulletin articles, and other topical presentations for Section members. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both.
Lawyer/Law Student Professional Development Collaboration
Collaborate with the Law Student Professional Development Section to develop and deliver programming on legal career development strategies for law students and lawyers from recruitment through retirement and assess the effectiveness of professional development courses/programs from a student's perspective/associate's perspective
Best Practices in Lawyer PD/PD For the PD Professional
Expand best practices resources on the NALP website and on NALPconnect.
Host webinars on PD best practices topics as well as member support programs (mentoring those new to the profession, sharing resources etc).
Membership/Development
Continue to strategize about ways of increasing membership in the Section. Consider greater collaboration with PDC.
Secondment Work Group
Consider the impact of secondments on lawyer PD. Develop best practices for managing secondments.
2016-17 Section Chair: Jennifer Gallinson, Much Shelist PC
April 2017 Board Report (PDF)
February 2017 Board Report (PDF)
November 2016 Board Report (PDF)
July 2016 Board Report (PDF)
2015-16 Section Chair: Kara Dodson, Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP
February 2016 Board Report (PDF)
November 2015 Board Report (PDF)
July 2015 Board Report (PDF)
2014-15 Section Chair: Maria Minor, Neal Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
November 2014 Board Report (PDF)
July 2014 Board Report (PDF)
2013-14 Section Chair: Molly Peckman, Dechert LLP
April 2014 Board Report (PDF)
February 2014 Board Report (PDF)
November 2013 Board Report (PDF)
July 2013 Board Report (PDF)
2012-2013 Section Chair: Molly Peckman, Dechert LLP
April 2013 Board Report (PDF)
February 2013 Board Report (PDF)
November 2012 Board Report (PDF)
July 2012 Board Report (PDF)
2011-2012 Section Chair: Kris Butler, Holland & Knight LLP
April 2012 Board Report (PDF)
February 2012 Board Report (PDF)
November 2011 Board Report (PDF)
July 2011 Board Report (PDF)
2010-2011 Section Chair: Gillian Murray, Bryan Cave LLP
April 2011 Board Report (PDF)
February 2011 Board Report (PDF)
November 2010 Board Report (PDF)
July 2010 Board Report (PDF)
2009-2010 Section Chair: Michele Bendekovic, Steptoe & Johnson LLP
April 2010 Board Report (PDF)
February 2010 Board Report (PDF)
November 2009 Board Report (PDF)
July 2009 Board Report (PDF)
2008-09 Section Chair: Kay Nash, Wiley Rein LLP
March 2009 Board Report - PDF
March 2009 Work Group Summary - PDF
February 2009 Board Report - PDF
July 2008 Board Report - PDF
2007-08 Section Chair: Cindy Lindsley, Thompson & Knight LLP
July 2007 Board Report - PDF
November 2007 Board Report - PDF
February 2008 Board Report - PDF
April 2008 Board Report - PDF