Read the full text of the Principles for a Fair and Ethical Recruitment Process

December 2018

Recognizing that NALP’s member organizations are diverse and their needs are varied, we have grown past “one size fits all” standards. However, we remain bound together by our common desire for diversity, access, and fairness. To that end, and after careful review, discussion, and debate, the NALP Board of Directors voted to make significant changes to NALP’s Principles and Standards for Law Placement and Recruitment Activities, which will now be known as the NALP Principles for a Fair and Ethical Recruitment Process (“Principles”). The new Principles move from uniformity to a standard of reasonableness that provides all members the flexibility necessary to innovate and thrive in an evolving marketplace.

The new Principles emphasize that all recruitment activities should be scheduled to minimize interference with students’ academic work, and that the legal profession should be accessible to all individuals on a non-discriminatory basis, free of harassment. They continue to promote good judgment from law schools, candidates, and employers. The Principles urge members to aspire to the highest ethical and professional standards, and to maintain policies and procedures that allow students to meaningfully choose between competing offers and allow employers to effectively manage their recruitment processes.

• Read the full text: Principles for a Fair and Ethical Recruitment Process
  Or download a PDF version of the new Principles
  
  
• All members should read the December 13, 2018 memo from the Board to NALP members that addresses what has changed, what remains the same, why the Board made the changes, and what's next.
  
  • December 13, 2018 Press release announcement (PDF)
  • January 23, 2019 Board communication
    
    
• NALP held a free member webinar on the changes on December 18, 2018. The recording and slides can be accessed here -- member login required.
  
  
• FAQs and additional member education opportunities will be forthcoming.
  
  
• Archived Principles & Standards (Rescinded) -- member login required

Member Resources

• View Member Institutional Recruiting Policies
• Submit your institutional policies by completing the short survey here
• School Members: First-Year Student Engagement — Five Things to Consider When Creating Your School’s Policy
• School Members: Second-Year Student Recruitment and OCI — Five Things to Consider When Creating Your School’s Policy
• Employer Members: First-Year Student Engagement — Five Things to Consider When Creating Your Institution’s Policy
• Employer Members: Second-Year Student Recruitment and OCI — Five Things to Consider When Creating Your Institution’s Policy