The Recruiting Section is for NALP members who are responsible for, or who have an interest in, issues related to law school outreach, summer programs, and entry-level lawyer recruiting. 

Join Section Group on NALPconnect

2025-26 Section Co-Chairs: Annie Martin, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and Chaula Shukla, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Work Groups:

Annual Education Conference / Bulletin+ Article and Webinar Planning
Brainstorm with section members to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2026 Annual Education Conference, 2025 PDI, and topics for Bulletin+ articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Brainstorm current topics and suggest at least 2 educational webinars to be produced in a timely manner throughout the year.

Lateral Associate Hiring
Provide opportunities for those who specialize in lateral associate recruiting to communicate and network with one another through work group conference calls and NALPconnect. Continue to develop resources aimed at lateral associate recruitment, including programming at the Annual Education Conference, Bulletin+ articles, results of environmental scanning efforts, and other resources to be made available on NALPconnect and the NALP website. Continue to collaborate with the JD Career Advisors Section on issues regarding employment background checks in the private sector and assess and distribute the results of their surveying and outreach. Review and update the lateral recruitment guide to account for new recruiting technology.

Lateral Partner Hiring
Develop at least two lateral partner-focused proposals for the AEC and publish at least one Bulletin+ article.

OCI Forms
Annually review and update the various forms/communications used for the OCI process and housed on the NALP website including Student Professionalism During the Interview Season; Travel Reimbursement Form and Instructions; Employer’s Interview Outcome Form; and Student Evaluation of OCI Employer.

Small/Mid-Sized Firms
Provide opportunities for those who work for small/mid-sized firms to communicate and network with one another through work group conference calls and NALPconnect. Identify common challenges related to entry-level/OCI recruitment for small/mid-sized firms and work to provide resources for other NALP members in similar situations.

Wellbeing Champion
Identify specific well-being issues faced by the section and propose and institute well-being initiatives to address these issues. Participate as a member of the Well-Being Section.

DEI Liaison
The DEI Liaison will identify and address issues related to DEI that are specific to the section and work with the VP of DEI and the DEI Steering Committee to address these issues.

Recruiting Technology
This group will focus on applicant tracking systems, AI recruiting tools and other emerging technologies.

2024-25 Section Co-Chairs: Olivia Schmit, Sidley Austin LLP and Tanisia Charles, Jones Day

June 2024 Board Report (PDF)
November 2024 Board Report (PDF)
February 2025 Board Report (PDF)
March 2025 Board Report (PDF)

Work Groups:

Annual Education Conference / Bulletin+ Article and Webinar Planning
Brainstorm with section members to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2024 Annual Education Conference and topics for Bulletin+ articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Brainstorm current topics and suggest at least 2 educational webinars to be produced in a timely manner throughout the year.

Lateral Associate Hiring
Provide opportunities for those who specialize in lateral associate recruiting to communicate and network with one another through work group conference calls and NALPconnect. Continue to develop resources aimed at lateral associate recruitment, including programming at the Annual Education Conference, Bulletin+ articles, results of environmental scanning efforts, and other resources to be made available on NALPconnect and the NALP website. Continue to collaborate with the JD Career Advisors Section on issues regarding employment background checks in the private sector and assess and distribute the results of their surveying and outreach. Review and update the lateral recruitment guide to account for new recruiting technology.

Lateral Partner Hiring
Develop at least two lateral partner-focused proposals for the AEC and publish at least one Bulletin+ article.

OCI Forms
Annually review and update the various forms/communications used for the OCI process and housed on the NALP website including Student Professionalism During the Interview Season; Travel Reimbursement Form and Instructions; Employer’s Interview Outcome Form; and Student Evaluation of OCI Employer.

Small/Mid-Sized Firms
Provide opportunities for those who work for small/mid-sized firms to communicate and network with one another through work group conference calls and NALPconnect. Identify common challenges related to entry-level/OCI recruitment for small/mid-sized firms and work to provide resources for other NALP members in similar situations.

Recruiting Foundations
Review and revise the Recruiting Foundations workbook used at the Newer Professionals’ Forum, with a focus on updating the content to reflect current recruitment practices and landscape.

Wellbeing Champion
Identify specific well-being issues faced by the section and propose and institute well-being initiatives to address these issues. Participate as a member of the Well-Being Steering Committee.

DEI Liaison
The DEI Liaison will identify and address issues related to DEI that are specific to the section and work with the VP of DEI and the DEI Steering Committee to address these issues.

Recruiting Technology
This group will focus on applicant tracking systems, AI recruiting tools and other emerging technologies.

2023-24 Section Co-Chairs: Caitlyn Ryan, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and Olivia Schmit, Sidley Austin LLP

February 2024 Board Report (PDF)
November 2023 Board Report (PDF)
July 2023 Board Report (PDF)

2022-23 Section Co-Chairs: Kara Barnachea, Venable LLP and Jessica Hoffer, Chapman and Cutler LLP

April 2023 Board Report (PDF)
February 2023 Board Report (PDF)
November 2022 Board Report (PDF)

2021-22 Section Co-Chairs: Alexandra (Alex) Gharghoury, Brown Rudnick LLP and Melissa Meyer, Venable LLP

April 2022 Board Report (PDF)
February 2021 Board Report (PDF)
November 2021 Board Report (PDF)
July 2021 Board Report (PDF)

2020-21 Section Chair: Lindsae Badgerow, Fox Rothschild LLP

April 2021 Board Report (PDF)
February 2021 Board Report (PDF)
November 2020 Board Report (PDF)
July 2020 Board Report (PDF)

2019-20 Section Chair: Michelle Le Biavant, Perkins Coie LLP

April 2020 Board Report (PDF)
February 2020 Board Report (PDF)
November 2019 Board Report (PDF)
July 2019 Board Report (PDF)

2018-19 Section Chair: Jenny Li, Arnold & Porter

April 2019 Board Report (PDF)
February 2019 Board Report (PDF)
July 2018 Board Report (PDF)
November 2018 Board Report (PDF)

2017-18 Section Chair: Jacki Herzog, Clark Hill PLC

April 2018 Board Report (PDF)
February 2018 Board Report (PDF)
November 2017 Board Report (PDF)
July 2017 Board Report (PDF)

2016-17 Section Chair: Nicole Oddo Smith, Dechert LLP

April 2017 Board Report (PDF)
February 2017 Board Report (PDF)
November 2016 Board Report (PDF)
July 2016 Board Report (PDF)

2015-16 Section Chair: Lynn Herron, Hogan Lovells US LLP

April 2016 Board Report (PDF)
February 2016 Board Report (PDF)
November 2015 Board Report (PDF)
July 2015 Board Report (PDF)

2014-15 Section Chair: Lauren Marsh, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

February 2015 Board Report (PDF)

November 2014 Board Report (PDF)

July 2014 Board Report (PDF)

2013-14 Section Chair: Dyana Pinkerton Barninger, K&L Gates 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: Kristina Gajewicz, Baker McKenzie 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: Melanie Priddy, Bingham McCutchen LLP

April 2012 Board Report (PDF)

February 2012 Board Report (PDF)

July 2011 Board Report (PDF)

2010-2011 Section Chair: Erin Springer, Alston + Bird 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: Christina Fox, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

April 2010 Board Report (PDF)

February 2010 Board Report (PDF)

November 2009 Board Report (PDF)

July 2009 Board Report (PDF)

2008-09 Lateral Recruiting Section Chair: Beth Fuson, Howrey LLP

July 2008 Board Report - PDF

November 2008 Board Report - PDF

2008-09 Law Student Recruiting Section Chair: Cristin Bolsinger, Kirkland & Ellis LLP

February 2009 Board Report - PDF

July 2008 Board Report - PDF

November 2008 Board Report - PDF