| 2022-2023 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.
2022-2023 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: Lisa Cunningham, Wildeboer Dellelce LLP and Karine Laframboise, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law (Common 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: Erika Fadel, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and Jenny Li, Baker Botts L.L.P.
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: Heather Spielmaker, University of Kansas School of Law and Mary Beth Walsh, Dykema Gossett PLLC
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 Co-Chairs: Natalie Bautista, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and Shujun Tian, Cooley LLP
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: Marti McCausland, Willamette University College of Law and TBD
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 Co-Chairs: Janet Siegel Brown, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and Todd Rogers, University of Colorado Law School
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 Chair: Alexander Piller, University of Illinois College of Law
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 Adrienne Jaroch, McDermott Will & Emery 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: Christopher Marohn, ASU Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law and Caitlin Treuting, Kelley Drye & Warren, 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 Chairs: Michelle Takagishi-Almeida, Southwestern Law School and Jana Matthews, Seattle University School of Law
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: Kara Barnachea, Venable LLP and Jessica Hoffer, Chapman and Cutler 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: Kim Underdown, St. Mary's University School of Law and Maria Comas, Duquesne 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: Akua Akyea, Cornell Law School and Sarah Beznoska, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Cleveland State University
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 Donatella Verrico, Lowenstein Sandler
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
Well-Being Interest Group
The Well-Being Interest Group is for NALP members who have an interest in or responsibility for the well-being of law students and lawyers. The well-being of our lawyers, law students and members continues to be of great importance and interest. The interest group will bring together those working in this space to facilitate collaboration and support and to share learning and best practices with one another and the rest of the NALP community.
2022-23 Well-Being Steering Committee Co-Chairs: Carrie English, Husch Blackwell LLP and Brittaney Schmidt, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
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.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Chair: Courtney Dredden Carter, Jenner & Block. Members: Carmia Caesar, George Washington University Law School; Doug Ebeling, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP; Kyle Elliot, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; Sarah Good, Farella Braun + Martel LLP; Courteney Harris, UNT Dallas College of Law; Nicole Netkins-Collins, University of Colorado Law School; Claudia Macias-Retson, University of Chicago Law School; Kia Scipio, Ropes & Gray LLP; Sherry-Ann Smith-Gomez, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University.
Executive Director Transition Advisory Group
Co-Chairs: Traci Mundy Jenkins, Venable LLP and Lois Casaleggi, University of Chicago Law School. Members: Georgia Emery Gray, Venable LLP; Lisa Blair, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP; Karen Britton, University of South Carolina School of Law; Jean Durling, Fox Rothschild LLP; Bruce Elvin, Duke University School of Law; Mina Jones Jefferson, Graydon; Cybele Smith, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
Future of the Legal Workplace Advisory Group
Co-Chairs: Mike Ende, William & Mary Law School and Kay Nash, Wiley Rein LLP. Members:
Elisabeth Beal, University of South Carolina School of Law; Eric Bono, University of Denver Sturm College of Law; Jessica Buchsbaum, Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP; Craig Compton, University of California Davis School of Law; Keya Dasgupta, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP; Quaime Lee, Northeastern University School of Law; Swati Parikh, New York Law School; Natalie Quinn, Fox Rothschild; Anna Whitener, Perkins Coie LLP; Shannon Williams, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum.
Inclusion: Neurodiversity in the Legal Profession Task Force
Co-Chairs: Mary Beth Nielsen, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and Angela Sordi, Borden Ladner Gervais. Members: Melissa Berry, Lane Powell PC; Rachel Bosch, Fringe Professional Development; Nirvana Dove, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom; Joanna Craig, University of Pennsylvania Law School; Paul Johnson, The John Marshall Law School; Robin Thorner, St. Mary's University School of Law. Advisor: A.J. Link, National Disabled Law Students Association
Member Advancement & Pipeline Development Work Group
Co-Chairs: Heather DiFranco, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP and Amy Jones Mattock, Georgetown University Law Center. Members: Kim Bonnar, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP; Shannon DeGenarro, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, L.L.P.; Ray Alfred English, Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law; Janet Hutchinson, University of Richmond School of Law; Mieko Iyama, Sidley Austin; Michelle Jackson, Diversity Lab; Kourtney James, University of Houston Law Center; Cris Modesto, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.
Revenue Streams Diversification Advisory Group
Co-Chairs:Melissa Lennon, Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. and David Diamond, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. Members: Marcy Cox, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Diane Downs, Morrison & Foerster LLP; Donna Gerson, Drexel University School of Law; Lillian Evans, New York City Law Department; Andrew Hales, Venable LLP; Lynn Herron, Hogan Lovells US LLP; Melanie Priddy, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP; Cassandre Stump, New York University School of Law ; Kara Sutherland, Dentons.
Transition Task Force (TTF)
Co-Chairs: Jennifer Henfey, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and Karl Riehl, Epstein Becker Green, PC. Members: Alison Ashe-Card, Wake Forest University School of Law; Michael Gotham, Perkins Coie LLP; Lynn Iding, Stewart McKelvey; Elizabeth Moeller, UCLA School of Law; David Montoya, The University of Texas School of Law; LeaNora Ruffin, Widener University Delaware Law School.
Well-Being Steering Committee
Co-Chairs: Carrie English, Husch Blackwell LLP and Brittaney Schmidt, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP. Members: Well-Being Champions from each Section and interested members.
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: Eric Bono, University of Denver Sturm College of Law; Laura Clemens, Golden Gate University School of Law; Moon Kim, New York University School 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, and Danel Becker, 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; Sandy Minea, Greenberg Traurig, LLP; Beth Moeller, UCLA School of Law; Susan Reonegro, Day Pitney; Tiffany Tucker, University of Houston Law Center; Jim Walsh, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law; Mary Beth Walsh, Dykema Gossett PLLC.
Ethics and Standards Advisory Group
Chair: Chuck Curtis, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Members: Pascale Bishop, Ice Miller; Neil Dennis, University of Toronto Faculty of Law; Jean Durling, Fox Rothschild LLP; Amy Jones Mattock, Georgetown University Law Center; Jenny Zwagerman, Drake University Law School.
Knowledge Management and Resource Implementation Work Group
Co-Chairs: Andy Hales, Venable LLP and Elisabeth Beal, University of South Carolina School of Law.
NDLE/NDLS Advisory Group
Members: Samantha Kasmarek, Bousquet Holstein PLLC; Melissa Leger, Stanford Law School; Lauren Marsh, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; 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, Groom Law Group, Chartered; Stacey Kielbasa, Chapman and Cutler LLP; Kay Nash, Wiley Rein LLP; Michelle Nash, Hogan Lovells US LLP; Reva Pollack, Ice Miller LLP; Shar Poormosleh, Southwestern Law School; Sheri Zachary, Saul, Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP.
PSJD Advisory Group
Chair: Jim Tomaszewski, University of Cincinnati College of Law. Members:Rena Cervoni, US Department of Justice; Michelle Grossfield, Boston College Law School; Brent Page, Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI); Ruby Sheikh, Georgetown University Law Center; Andrew Whitcup, UCLA School of Law; Michelle Mohr Vodenik, Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology.
Research Advisory Group
Members: Dyana Barninger, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP; Kate Eklund, UCLA School of Law; Lisa Feden, Ballard Spahr LLP; Janell Mallard, Wiley Rein LLP; Shawn McKenna, UNC School of Law; 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
2023 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: Rebecca Calman, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.
Vice-Chairs: Rob Cacace, Georgetown University Law Center; Jennifer Lau, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP; Michael Molas, Queen’s University Faculty of Law. 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: Shannon Burke, Chapman and Cutler LLP; Lindsay Daniels, Steptoe & Johnson LLP; Yesenisa Gutierrez, University of Washington School of Law; Cindy Lindsley, Holland & Knight LLP; Kelly Ryan, Venable LLP; Debby Relkin, Seyfarth Shaw LLP.
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