| 2021-2022 Sections and Interest Groups |
Committees and Work Groups |
Advisory Groups |
Event Planning Work Groups |
NALP thrives on member involvement, and one of the many benefits of NALP membership is the opportunity to actively participate in the NALP community. Sections are a great way to join colleagues with whom you share interests and work responsibilities, and also provide an ideal way to get involved in the work of NALP. Sections provide an opportunity for networking and for sharing information, ideas, and best practices. Sections also provide information and education to the rest of the NALP community on the Section members’ particular area of interest or expertise.
Work Groups will address specific tasks; they will work on the specified project, and will disband when the target task is completed. Several Work Groups fall under the auspices of a Section, while others are stand-alone. Where already known, Work Group projects are listed below within each Section description (follow the "learn more" link). Section members are encouraged to identify additional issues and projects of interest to the group.
All Sections have open membership, and many Work Groups need volunteers. NALP members are invited to contact Section Chairs to learn more about Section activities and involvement. Section membership is based on individual membership with NALP. Click on the "learn more" link for each section to find out about the work of that section and how you can get involved.
2021-2022 Sections and Interest Groups
Canadian Section
The Canadian Section is for NALP members with a particular interest in Canadian legal education, Canadian law school career services, and issues surrounding legal employment and admission to the bar in Canada.
Section Co-Chairs: Katrina Henn, Weirfoulds LLP and Sophie Roy-Lafleur, McGill University Faculty of Law
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Section
NALP has a longstanding commitment to be an advocate for diversity in
the legal profession and in our membership. The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Section is for NALP members with a particular interest in or responsibility for advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in legal education and legal employment. This section will serve as a resource for all NALP members on matters of diversity and inclusion.
Section Co-Chairs: Justine Lewis, Dykema Gossett PLLC and Traci Sharpe, University of San Francisco School of Law
Experienced Professionals Section
The section includes NALP members who self-identify as “experienced” in the legal recruitment and professional development industry and seek to collaborate with similarly situated colleagues for purposes of networking and professional development. The section will contribute to activities, services, and educational programs to benefit NALP. Section members can be characterized by years of NALP membership, years in the industry, and/or levels of leadership or engagement within their organizations or with NALP. (It is suggested that members have at least eight years of experience in a lead role and have actively participated in NALP.)
Section Co-Chairs: Natalie Quinn, Fox Rothschild LLP and Heather Spielmaker, University of Kansas School of Law
International and Advanced Degree Advising and Recruiting Section
The International and Advanced Degree Advising and Recruiting section is for law school professionals who support and advise domestic and international LL.M. students as well as students and alumni seeking international opportunities. This section is also for employer members who hire graduates with LL.M. degrees, who are involved in international recruiting, and who evaluate international experience for both international and domestic positions.
Section Chair: Shujun Tian, Georgetown University Law Center
JD Career Advisors Section
The JD Career Advisors Section is for NALP members who have an interest in or responsibility for the career development of law students and alumni. The section will include work groups on developing resources and conference programming on career development. The section will also serve as the home for the CSO Employer Outreach Work Group, and for those interested in JD advantage careers and alumni career services.
Section Co-Chairs: Valerie Castelo, University of California, Berkeley School of Law and George Podolin, William & Mary Law School
Judicial Clerkship Section
The Judicial Clerkship Section is for NALP members who have responsibility for preparing law students for judicial clerkships or for managing the departure and return from employer organizations of associates who pursue judicial clerkships. This Section will be a clearinghouse for information on judicial clerkships at all levels.
Section Chair: Laura Woodson, University of Georgia School of Law
Law Student Professional Development Section
The Law Student Professional Development Section is for NALP members
with an interest in or responsibility for educating law students about professional standards of behavior required for the practice of law.
Section Co-Chairs: Freda Coleman-Jackson, Washington & Lee University School of Law and Shar Poormosleh, Southwestern Law School
Lawyer Professional Development Section
The Lawyer Professional Development Section is for NALP members with an interest in or responsibility for a law firm or other legal employer’s professional development programming.
Section Co-Chairs: Shannon Burke, Chapman and Cutler LLP and Sandra Minea, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Legal Employer Alumni Relations/Programs Section
The Legal Employer Alumni Relations/Programs Section is intended to include NALP members who have an interest in or responsibility for alumni related issues within law firms or other legal employers.
Section Co-Chairs: Jennifer Gewertz, Arnold & Porter and Paul Lazdowski, Nixon Peabody LLP
Newer Professionals Section
The Newer Professionals Section is for NALP members who have been in the profession for four years or less.
Section Co-Chairs: Elizabeth Crane, University of South Carolina School of Law and Ginny Mueller, Husch Blackwell LLP
Public Service Section
The Public Service Section is for NALP members who share an interest in or responsibility for law students and graduates whose career paths lead to public sector, public interest, and pro bono work during law school and after graduation. The section supports NALP’s role as one of the leading providers of information and education about public service opportunities for law students and lawyers. NALP’s public sector and nonprofit employer members and those responsible for implementing or marketing law school or law firm pro bono programs also participate in this section.
Section Co-Chairs: Sharon Buckingham, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and Claire Cusella, Equal Justice Works
Recruiting Section
The Recruiting Section is for NALP members who have an interest in or are responsible for law school outreach, summer programs, lateral hiring, and lawyer recruiting.
Section Co-Chair: Alexandra (Alex) Gharghoury, Linklaters LLP and Melissa Meyer, Venable LLP
Small and Solo Career Services Office Section
This Section is for NALP members in career services offices of three or fewer total staff. Members of this group have long been a strong support for one another and have been an excellent source of programming and resources for all career services offices that manage with limited resources.
Section Co-Chairs: Tanya Lundberg, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and Maria Comas, Duquesne University School of Law
Well-Being Section
The well-being of our lawyers, law students and members continues to be of great importance and interest. The Well-Being section is for NALP members who have an interest in or responsibility for the well-being of law students and lawyers.
Section Co-Chairs: Terrene Burke, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, LLP and Marta Ricardo, Columbia University School of Law
Law School Career Chief Officers Interest Group
This interest group is open to any NALP member who holds the top role of any sort (i.e., Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Director, Chief of Staff), broadly defined, in a career office at a law school and is meant to facilitate information sharing and best practices among its members, and to provide leadership and guidance to the Association and its members about issues around industry change and evolution.
Interest Group Co-Chairs: Alicia Currin-Moore, University of Oklahoma College of Law and Mary Beth Moore, Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Legal Employer Chief Officers Interest Group
This interest group is open to any NALP member who holds a chief role of any sort, broadly defined, with any legal employer, and is meant to facilitate information sharing and best practices among its members, and to provide leadership and guidance to the Association and its members about issues around industry change and evolution.
Interest Group Co-Chairs: Amy Ross, Ropes & Gray LLP and Carrie Weintraub, Holland & Knight LLP
Legal Master’s Programs Interest Group
The Legal Master's Programs Interest Group is for NALP members working in this space to facilitate collaboration and support for one another and to share learning and best practices with one another and the rest of the NALP community.
Interest Group Chair: Jaclyn Howell, University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law
NALP Committees and Task Forces are either elected by
the membership or appointed by the President to complete a specific
task or project.
Nominating Committee
Chair: Neil Dennis, University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
Vice Chair: Lynn Herron, Hogan Lovells US LLP. The Nominating Committee will
cultivate nominations for and develop a slate of officers and board
members for the 2022-2023 NALP year. The Committee will also oversee
the nomination and election process of regional representatives, conference planning coordinators, and
nominating committee members. NALP members elect regional
representatives to the Nominating Committee each year. For more
information and a list of committee members, see Board of Directors and Leaders.
Enhancing the Member Experience Work Group
Co-Chairs: Heather DiFranco, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP and Janet Hutchinson, University of Richmond School of Law. Members: Kim Bonnar, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP; Rob Cacace, Georgetown University Law Center; Diane Downs, Morrison & Foerster LLP; Michelle Jackson, Diversity Lab; Cris Modesto, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP; Nikki Wright Smith, Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Driving Inclusion in the Legal Industry Task Force
Co-Chairs: Kristine McKinney, Fish & Richardson, P.C. and Melanie Priddy, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP. Members: Jeff Becherer, New York Law School; Kori Carew, Seyfarth Shaw LLP; Jennifer Leonard, University of Pennsylvania Law School; Jenny Li, Baker Botts L.L.P.; Alexia McCaskill, University of Colorado Law School; Clara Solomon, New York University School of Law.
Inclusion: Neurodiversity in the Legal Profession Task Force
Co-Chairs: Paul Johnson, The John Marshall Law School and Angela Sordi, Borden Ladner Gervais. Members: Melissa Berry, Lane Powell PC; Rachel Bosch, Fringe Professional Development; Mary Beth Nielsen, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law; Maureen Reilly, University of Pennsylvania Law School; Robin Thorner, St. Mary's University School of Law.
Knowledge Management and Resource Implementation Work Group
Chair: Andy Hales, Venable LLP and Elisabeth Beal, University of South Carolina School of Law. Members: Lisa Barash, UCLA School of Law; Gwen Ferrell, Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center; Cindy Hasson, Paul Hastings LLP; Michele Hoff, Georgetown University Law Center; Precillia Soares, Holland & Knight LLP.
Revenue Streams Diversification Advisory Group
Co-Chairs: Craig Compton, University of California Davis School of Law and Anna Whitener, Perkins Coie LLP. Members: Lisa Blair, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP; Marcy Cox, University of Miami School of Law; David Diamond, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; Alfred "Ray" English, Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law; Melissa Lennon, Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
Task Force on Supporting Gender Non-Binary Individuals in the Legal Profession
Chair: Nicole Netkin-Collins, University of Colorado Law School. Members: José Bahamonde-Gonzalez, Miles & Stockbridge P.C.; Courtney Dredden Carter, Jenner & Block LLP; Doug Ebeling, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP; Melanie Rowen, University of California, Berkeley School of Law; Molly Stafford, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. Advisor: Rafael Langer-Osuna, Squire Patton Boggs.
Advisory Groups
Advisory Groups support NALP staff on matters of policy, procedure, and content with our core products and services. Advisory Groups are appointed by the President on an annual basis. Although membership in Advisory Groups is appointed rather than open, all members are invited to share ideas with Group leaders and members.
ABA/NALP Employment Outcomes Reporting Advisory Group
Chair: Angelica Evans, The University of Texas School of Law. NALP Members: Betsy Armour, USC Gould School of Law; Eric Bono, University of Denver Sturm College of Law; Korey Henson, Stetson University College of Law; Heather Spielmaker, University of Kansas School of Law; Sandra Morriss, University of Washington School of Law.
Board Liaison: Arturo Thompson, University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. ABA Members: Stephanie Giggetts, ABA Section on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar; Molly Wilensky, ABA Section on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar; Kirsten Winek, ABA Section on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
Communications Advisory Group
Chair: Josie Mitchell, Seattle University School of Law. Members: Carrie Milliken, Thompson Hine LLP; Tiffany Tucker, University of Houston Law Center; Mary Beth Walsh, Dykema Gossett PLLC; Sandy Minea, Greenberg Traurig; Susan Reonegro, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP; Jim Walsh, Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Ethics and Standards Advisory Group
Chair: Chuck Curtis, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Members: Jean Durling, Fox Rothschild LLP; Mike Gotham, Perkins Coie LLP; Amy Mattock, Georgetown University Law Center.
NDLE/NDLS Advisory Group
Members: Samantha Kasmarek, Syracuse University College of Law; Diane Quick, University of Miami School of Law; Carolyn Quinn, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Gretchen Rollins, Vinson & Elkins LLP.
PDQ Advisory Group
Members: Michele Bendekovic, Bass, Berry & Sims LLP; Stephanie Felder, McGuireWoods LLP; Stacey Kielbasa, Chapman and Cutler LLP; Kay Nash, Wiley LLP; Michelle Nash, Hogan Lovells US LLP; Reva Pollack, Ice Miller LLP; Shar Poormosleh, Southwestern Law School; Scott Westfahl, Harvard Law School; Sheri Zachary, Saul, Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP
PSJD Advisory Group
Chair: Jim Tomaszewski, University of Cincinnati College of Law. Members:Katie Behan, University of Windsor; Rena Cervoni, US Department of Justice; Terry Galligan, University of California, Berkeley School of Law; Michelle Grossfield, Boston College Law School; Brent Page, Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI); Ruby Sheikh, Georgetown University Law Center; Brenda Sutton-Wills, UCLA School of Law; Michelle Mohr Vodenik, Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology.
Research Advisory Group
Members: Kate Eklund, UCLA School of Law; Lisa Feden, Ballard Spahr LLP; Janell Mallard, Wiley Rein LLP; Amy Nixon, University of Chicago Law School; Laurie Powers, Gonzaga University School of Law; Samantha Stern, Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
Event Planning Work Groups
2022 Annual Education Conference Planning Work Group
The Annual Education Conference Planning Work Group will plan and present the 2022 Annual Education Conference in New Orleans.
Chair: Jessica Buchsbaum, Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP.
Vice-Chairs: Eric Bono, University of Denver Sturm College of Law; Mieko Iyama, Sidley Austin LLP; Sherry-Ann Smith-Gomez, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. The elected Conference Planning Coordinators serve as members of the Annual Education Conference Planning team.
Professional Development Institute Planning Work Group
The Professional Development Institute Planning Work Group, in
partnership with ALI-ABA and the PDC, plans and presents the annual
Professional Development Institute.
Members — NALP Representatives: José Bahamonde-Gonzalez, Miles & Stockbridge P.C.; Dana Gray, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP; Jody Rosen Knower, Sidley Austin LLP; Beth Lee, SMU Dedman School of Law; Chelsey Parrott-Sheffer, Seyfarth Shaw LLP; Lavern Wilson, Ford & Harrison LLP.
Associate Salary Survey 2021
Jobs & J.D.'s: Employment and Salaries of New Law Graduates — Class of 2020