In this series we peek behind the curtain at the NALP Board of Directors. This talented group of legal career professionals from various backgrounds seek to serve their organizations with distinction. As NALP volunteer leaders they also want to inspire others to get involved with NALP and build meaningful and powerful professional networks of their own.

Keya Dasgupta
Head of Inclusion, Learning & Organizational Development at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada

December 30, 2024

What achievement are you most proud of in your career?
I am most proud of the team I have established at the firm. We are a national group of Learning & Development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion professionals who are collaborative, committed to supporting our people, and connected to the bigger purpose of our work together.

How did you get involved with NALP?
When I first entered the PD space, my then boss (and now mentor, confidante, and friend), Michelle Gage, encouraged me to join NALP, attend conferences and find ways of becoming more involved as a member. She shared how crucial NALP's network was to her continued growth as a PD professional.

What is the most valuable part of being involved in NALP?
NALP has given me access to an amazing network of humans who are passionate about their work, knowledgeable in their respective fields, and serve as trusted sounding boards as I navigate challenges and opportunities as a PD professional in my organization.

If you have a mentor in the profession, how did that person help you achieve your career goals?
I have had the benefit of two amazing mentors in my PD career — Michelle Gage and Shanin Lott. They have both served as great examples of how to build a career in PD. Michelle helped me learn to trust my expertise as I navigated the transition of moving away from the practice of law into the world of PD. Shanin has always been someone who has pushed me to set ambitious goals for myself and to drive towards them.

What book or podcast would you recommend to others?
Marc Maron's podcast WTF is a favourite of mine. He brings curiosity, authenticity, and humour to his conversations with the broad range of people he interviews.

Is there an issue or development in the legal industry that you are focused on? I am currently focused on all things AI and the opportunities it presents in the L&D space.

How do you define professional success?
For me, professional success is the feeling that, whatever their role or tenure at my firm, people feel supported in their continuous development as practitioners, people managers, and leaders. It's also a feeling that I am doing the work to deepen my understanding of the challenges people face from a DEI perspective and doing what I can to effect organizational change and remove or lessen these obstacles over time.

What advice would you give to a new legal careers professional?
There is an abundance of opportunity in this space — seek knowledge, remain curious, and push yourself to continuously grow as a professional.

What does effective leadership mean to you?
Effective leadership is about having the humility to know that I don't always have the answers and to trust the talent and capabilities of my team as we navigate challenges together.

Tammy King
Assistant Dean for Professional Development at Washburn University School of Law

December 9, 2024

How did you get your start as a legal career professional?
As an associate at a firm in St. Louis, I realized that my favorite part of my job was working with law students through visiting local law schools for OCI (on campus interviewing) and supervising our summer associates. I figured out a way to make that my full-time job by joining the CSO (career services office) at Washington University School of Law! I then moved on to work with law students at Creighton University Law and now at Washburn University Law.

What achievement are you most proud of in your career?
While serving on the NALP Board has been a highlight of my career, I'm most proud of the relationships I've built with students. Seeing them succeed is incredible.

How did you get involved with NALP?
When I began working in career services, my boss, Tomea Mayer Mersmann, was serving on the NALP Board of Directors. I'll be forever grateful that she encouraged me to get involved in NALP very early in my career. Shortly after my first Annual Education Conference, I joined some section work groups. My first elected position was Midwest School Regional Representative on what is now the Regional Leadership Council.

What is the most valuable part of being involved in NALP?
Working in a small CSO, the most valuable part of being involved in NALP is the relationships I've built with other CSO professionals. Being able to gather and share information, ideas, and challenges is invaluable to me and the students I serve.

What NALP resource, event or program has been beneficial for you and why?
I've been going to the NALP Annual Education Conference for two decades. You'd think I'd have it all figured out by now, but I bring home new ideas to implement after every single conference. One of my favorite publications is NALP's Jobs & JDs. It is packed full of research, data, and entry-level salary information that helps me serve my students.

What book or podcast would you recommend to others?
Perennial NALP favorite Chris De Santis has a new book on generational differences that is terrific — Why I Find You Irritating: Navigating Generational Friction at Work.

Is there a favorite quote or motto that inspires you in your work?
"A goal without a plan is just a wish."
— Attribution is disputed

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Is there an issue in the legal industry that you are particularly focused on and, if so, why?
Living and working in a mostly rural state has me very concerned about legal deserts and access to justice in areas where lawyers are becoming increasingly few and far between. There are no easy answers, but it is something that we as a profession must address.

How do you define professional success?
I define professional success by having the trust of my colleagues. I want them to know that I want us all to succeed.

What does effective leadership mean to you?
Communication.

Craig Compton
Assistant Dean of Career Services at UC Davis School of Law

November 11, 2024

How did you get your start as a legal career professional?
I transitioned from being a Hiring Partner for Fish & Richardson's Silicon Valley Office to running the Career Services Office at UC Davis School of law in 2011. The economy was tough and the learning curve was steep. Just a couple of months after starting at UC Davis, I went to my first NALP Annual Education Conference in Palm Springs, which was an invaluable experience and sped up my learning curve.

How did you get involved with NALP?
After being a sponge for my first five years in NALP, attending, reading and listening, I was elected to the Nominating Committee. After reviewing the materials for all of the great candidates for leadership positions, I was inspired to get more involved. This led to service on several committees and eventually a position on the Board, although it took a few tries. :)

What is the most valuable part of being involved in NALP?
The people! If you have a question about anything concerning our industry there are experts in NALP that can help find a solution or help you take on any challenge.

Is there a favorite quote or motto that inspires you in your work?
I've got two:
"If you ain't first, you are last."
— Ricky Bobby, Talladega Nights

"When you are asked if you can do a job tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it."
— Theodore Roosevelt

Is there an issue in the legal industry that you are particularly focused on and, if so, why?
The change in the larger law firm recruiting cycle and how it is affecting the well-being of students, career counselors and legal recruiters. Additionally, I want to make sure that we are providing the information and resources to our students that put them in a position to succeed.

How do you define professional success?
Four things: 1. Trusted by those that work for you. 2. Trusted by those that you work for. 3. Trusted by those that you serve. 4. You enjoy what you are doing.

What does effective leadership mean to you?
Inspiring others on your team to do their best. Making sure all relevant constituencies feel heard and demonstrating this to your team through your communication style and work ethic.

Shannon Burke
Director of Talent Development and Diversity at Chapman and Cutler LLP

October 21, 2024

What achievement are you most proud of in your career?
I am very proud and honored to be part of the NALP Board and I am grateful for the presentation and leadership skills I have developed during my tenure with NALP. I am most proud of the amazing, talented, hard-working, and inspiring team members with whom I work at Chapman. Our Firm's partners continue to trust our team with amazing responsibilities, and our team supports, cheers on, and champions each other. I am constantly amazed by my fellow team members, and I am proud of the team we have built together.

How did you get involved with NALP?
When I was an Associate Director at the American Bar Association, I joined NALP to learn more about the professional development resources that NALP has to offer. The more people I met through NALP, the more inspiring stories I heard about people's career paths and the innovative programs they are bringing to their law firms and law schools. I was hooked!

What NALP resource, event or program has been beneficial for you and why?
I find the sections to be incredibly helpful to me in my role at Chapman. My fellow section members are so generous with their time and their willingness to share their ideas, resources, and speaker recommendations. If I ever need inspiration or advice — no matter how specific or niche the question — I have no doubt, there is a NALP member who is ready and willing to lend support!

How do you define professional success?
For me, professional success means finding or creating a space where you make a positive impact on your organization and those around you and that provides you with financial stability as you define it.

What advice would you give to a new legal careers professional?
Invest the time to grow your network — meet people, learn about their career paths, and listen to what has and has not worked for them at their firms or schools. NALP members are a wealth of knowledge, and you can learn something from everyone!

Alisa Benedict O'Brien
Assistant Dean, Career Services, Strategic Initiatives, and External Affairs at the University of Akron School of Law

September 30, 2024

How did you get your start as a legal career professional?
As a law student, I worked part-time in my admissions office and loved the work. While I wanted to practice law initially after law school, I kept feeling pulled back to law school administration and eventually decided to make the transition to law school career services about 14 years ago. I love this field and have not looked back.

How did you get involved with NALP?
When I began my role in law school career services, my boss at the time was very supportive of me joining and engaging with NALP. She had been a member for many years and spoke so highly of the organization and the Annual Education Conference. Over the years, I got more involved, especially during periods of time when I was a solo office. NALP members became my "co-workers" and my support system. My first engagement was with the Small and Solo CSO Section.

What NALP resource, event, or program has been beneficial for you and why?
The Annual Education Conference (AEC) by far has been my most valued resource as a NALP member. As the head of a small CSO office, I look forward to the AEC to get market and industry updates, learn about new resources and best practices, and come back with ideas I can immediately implement. Also, the networking opportunities at the AEC are unmatched in my opinion.

If you had a mentor in the profession, how did that person help you achieve your career goals?
My mentor is my friend and colleague, Barbara DiGiacomo. She was my first boss in this industry and truly showed me the ropes of law school career services. She always encouraged me to advance in my career and seek out leadership roles with local bar associations and NALP.

Is there a favorite quote that inspires you in your work?
"If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."
—African Proverb - Martha Goedert

What does effective leadership mean to you?
Effective leadership means trust, direct communication, and listening to hear, not to respond.

Myriah Graves, NALP Board Member
Director of Professional Development at Fogler, Rubinoff LLP

September 9, 2024

What achievement are you most proud of in your career?
I take great pride in the relationships I have built and maintained with members of my firm over the past 24 years.

How did you get involved with NALP?
Upon attending my first NALP conference, I found myself amongst unfamiliar faces. Determined to forge connections and expand my knowledge base, I proactively volunteered for numerous NALP working groups. It was such a positive experience that I have continued to expand my involvement with NALP each year.

What NALP resource, event, or program has been beneficial for you and why?
The Annual Education Conference offers invaluable resources, equipping attendees with tools and innovative ideas to elevate their roles. Additionally, the NALP Bulletin+ and newsletters serve as excellent repositories of information, further enriching professional knowledge and development.

If you have a mentor in the profession, how did that person help you achieve your career goals?
By sharing their own career trajectory and experiences, my mentor has helped me chart a clear path for my own career. They have advised me on setting realistic and ambitious career goals, and provided strategies to achieve them, whether it's aiming for partnership or, in my case, transitioning to a role within my firm.

Is there an issue or development in the legal industry that you are particularly focused on and, if so, why?
One issue in the legal industry that I am particularly focused on is the integration and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on legal practices. AI is revolutionizing the legal field, and its implications are profound and multifaceted. Focusing on AI in the legal industry is essential because it represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Embracing AI can lead to significant advancements in how legal services are delivered, but it also requires careful management to ensure ethical use and equitable access. By staying informed and proactive about AI developments, we can harness its potential to enhance our practice while addressing the associated risks and challenges responsibly.

What does effective leadership mean to you?
Effective leadership, to me, means inspiring and guiding a team towards achieving common goals while fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, and growth. It is also about balancing the drive for results with a genuine care for people, ensuring that the team thrives both individually and collectively.

Sylvia James, Vice-President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Winston & Strawn LLP

August 19, 2024

How did you get your start as a legal career professional?
After I graduated from law school, I spent 10 years as a Labor and Employment lawyer. The last five years of my law practice was in the Corporate Diversity Counseling Group at Holland & Knight, the only such practice group in the country at that time. I then went on to Baker Botts to serve as the firm's Diversity Counsel. I joined Winston & Strawn in 2017, after 11 years at Baker Botts.

How did you get involved with NALP?
I became involved in NALP in 2006. I served on several planning teams for the NALP/ALFDP Diversity & Inclusion Summit. I attended and spoke at several NALP conferences and events over the years but became a formal NALP member when I joined Winston.

What NALP resource, event, or program has been beneficial for you and why?
By far, NALP's annual Report on Diversity is one of my go-to resources, always within reach on my desk. I've always used it to benchmark our performance compared to industry averages. I also like attending the Annual Education Conference because of the rich DEI programming and the opportunity to learn from my colleagues in talent functions.

If you have a mentor in the profession, how did that person help you achieve your career goals?
My mentor in my personal and professional life is my sister Rose James. She is the Global Senior Director, Intellectual Property at Expedia Group. She is my best friend, cheerleader, mentor, coach and partner in crime. Everything good I've accomplished in life has her stamp on it.

What book or podcast would you recommend to others?
I'm a huge Malcolm Gladwell fan, so I recommend his podcasts and all of his books. I feel like Blink and Outliers changed my life. They had a huge positive influence on my career. In my personal life, I recommend The Five Love Languages and The Four Agreements.

Is there a favorite quote that inspires you in your work?
Feel the fear and do it anyway. I have fears like everyone else, but I acknowledge the fear and push forward.

Is there an issue or development in the legal industry that you are focused on and, if so, why?
I'm particularly focused on the pushback against DEI initiatives happening in the courts, legislature, and court of public opinion because it directly impacts my work. I'm encouraged and hopeful about the future because my firm and many others have remained committed to advancing DEI.

Michael Ende, Vice-President for Finance
Associate Dean for Career Services, William & Mary Law School

July 29, 2024

What achievement are you most proud of in your career?
Over 17 years in law school career services, I've had the opportunity to work with thousands of students, and I am most proud of the personal and professional success they've achieved. The best reward is to work with a student from the day they arrive in law school and to watch them evolve and grow over time into exceptional people and professionals.

Second on the list is being voted by our students as the recipient of William & Mary's John Marshall Award for outstanding service to the law school community and for fidelity to the qualities of character, leadership, and selfless service.

Third, I'm very proud of the extent to which members of my team have become actively involved with NALP and taken on leadership roles within the association.

How did you get involved with NALP?
I owe my NALP involvement to Melissa Lennon. I was a member of the Judicial Clerkship Section, and the section was seeking a volunteer to work on the state court judicial clerkship guide. As someone who was still relatively junior in this profession, I volunteered with some reluctance, but Melissa encouraged and supported me and spurred my interest in becoming more involved. Then, through a series of fortunate occurrences, I was asked to serve as a member of the planning team for the 2014 PDI, and the rest is history.

If you have a mentor in the profession, how did that person help you achieve your career goals?
I know I'll forget someone but here goes. Diane Costigan was part of the search committee that hired me into my first job in law school career services, and without her initial support, I don't think I'd be where I am today. Melissa Lennon pushed me to get more involved with the Judicial Clerkship Section and has been a regular source of support. Molly Peckman and I served on two conference planning teams, and she became my champion when I thought about seeking leadership positions within NALP. And Lynn Herron and Jen Henfey both saw things in me that I didn't necessarily see in myself, and they became tremendous supporters as I sought out board positions.

Is there a favorite quote or motto that inspires you in your work?
"Be curious, not judgmental." —Ted Lasso

I have this quote posted on my office door, and I've tried to incorporate it into my career advising with students. I want them to be curious about the profession they are about to enter and the different paths they can take that will lead them to happiness and success. And I want them to avoid being judgmental about others and about opportunities — I want them to approach everything — their classmates, their faculty, the profession, the job search with an open mind.

Is there an issue or development in the legal industry that you are particularly focused on and, if so, why?
I am fascinated by AI and ChatGPT, and I am constantly exploring ways to incorporate AI into my daily routine and the work of my office to support our students.

How do you define professional success?
I tend to define professional success based on the success of my colleagues. I'm very proud of the extent to which members of my team — both at William & Mary and at my prior law school — have become actively involved as leaders within NALP. Watching their professional development and growth — and encouraging and enabling that development and growth — is incredibly rewarding.

Jessica Buchsbaum, NALP’s Vice-President for Member Services and Education
Chief Legal Talent Officer, Bilzin Sumberg LLP

July 8, 2024

How did you get involved with NALP?
My first conference was Chicago in 2005, and I was so overwhelmed! I connected with some newer professionals in my region, and I had an experienced professional as a mentor who encouraged me to become involved in NALP. I started by writing articles and joining sections and then I was on the conference planning team for the Puerto Rico conference in 2010.

If you have a mentor in the profession, how did that person help you achieve your career goals?
My professional mentor was Esther Rodriguez from Holland & Knight. She was always encouraging me to get involved as a way to gain knowledge and broaden my network to add value at my firm.

What book or podcast would you recommend to others?
Other than NALP Talk?!? I'm a big fan of Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History podcast — in particular, the episode "Project Dillard" examining the US News & World Report rankings and how their criteria impact HBCU rankings. It would be fascinating for our members and would be fun for them to hear the genesis of the idea to have the Dillard Choir perform at our DEI reception in New Orleans.

Is there a favorite quote or motto that inspires you in your work?
If you're too big to do the small stuff, you're too small to do the big stuff.

Is there an issue or development in the legal industry that you are particularly focused on and, if so, why?
Maintaining and broadening the pipeline of diverse attorneys into the profession. It's something I've been working on for over a decade through my involvement in bringing the NALP/Streetlaw Diversity Pipeline Program to Bilzin Sumberg and running the program for the past 12 years.

What does effective leadership mean to you?
Building consensus, organizational altruism, and developing the next generation of leaders.