| 2023-2024 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.
2023-2024 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: Myriah Graves, Fogler, Rubinoff LLP and Christi McAuley, Thompson Rivers 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: Jennifer Mencarini, Fox Rothschild LLP and Aisha Joseph, New York Law School
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 Joe Christian, Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
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 Caroline Ruhle, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
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: Tom Lee, Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law and Elizabeth Bernstein, Southwestern 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 Co-Chairs: Jennifer Pollard, University of Maryland Carey School of Law and Amy Nixon, University of Chicago 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 Co-Chair: Elizabeth Carr, Mercer University School of Law and Diana Mercer, Loyola University New Orleans 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: Carole Deeter, Thompson Hine LLP and Chelsey Parrott-Shaffer, Saul Ewing 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: Adrienne Jaroch Kelly, McDermott Will & Emery LLP and Laura Higgins, Haynes and Boone, 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 Caruso, Hofstra University School of Law and Caitlin Treuting, Carlton Fields
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: Jana Matthews, Seattle University School of Law and Jasminder Deol, UC Irvine 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-Chairs: Caitlyn Ryan, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and Olivia Schmit, Sidley Austin 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 Leslie Becker Wilson, University of Massachusetts 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: Shawn Beem, Capital University Law School and Laurie Powers, Gonzaga 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: Donatella Verrico, Lowenstein Sandler PC and Tim Henderson, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP
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: Lois Casaleggi, University of Chicago Law School.
Vice Chairs: Sherry-Ann Smith-Gomez, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University; and Brad Sprayberry, Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A. The Nominating Committee will
cultivate nominations for and develop a slate of officers and board
members for the 2024-2025 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.
ABA Section 303 Professional Identity Guidance Task Force
Chair: Leanne Fuith, Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Members: Erika Pont, George Washington University Law School; Sarah Beznoska, CSU College of Law, Cleveland State University; Nikki Harris, UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law; Jen Henfey, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law; Robert Birrenkott, University of North Carolina School of Law; Chris Neal, Temple University Beasley School of Law; Kate Eklund, UCLA School of Law; Robin Thorner, St. Mary’s University School of Law.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering 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.
First Year Diversity Recruiting Task Force
Chair: Alison Ashe-Card, Wake Forest University School of Law. Members: Elisabeth Beal, William & Mary Law School; Marredia Crawford, Baker & McKenzie LLP; David Diamond, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; Gary Greener, UCLA School of Law; Donna Harris, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP; Benson Lee, Jenner & Block
Future of the Legal Workplace Team
Co-Chairs: Anna Whitener, Perkins Coie LLP and Deborah Snyder, Santa Clara University School of Law. Members: Lisa Blair, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP; Eric Bono, University of Denver Sturm College of Law; Tanisia Charles, Jones Day; Doug Ebeling, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP; Kay Nash, Wiley Rein LLP; Swati Parikh, New York Law School; Clara Solomon, New York University School of Law; Shannon Williams, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum.
Inclusion: Native and Indigenous Peoples in the Legal Profession Task Force
Chair: Lisa Del Col, York University - Osgoode Hall Law School. Members: Jennifer Mencarini, Fox Rothschild LLP; Eric Stern, University of California, Berkeley School of Law; Arturo Thompson, University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.
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; Joanna Craig, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School; Nirvana Dove, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom; Paul Johnson, The John Marshall Law School; Robin Thorner, St. Mary's University School of Law.
Member Enhancement Process Team
Team Members: Jessica Buchsbaum, Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP; Jen Henfey, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.
Membership Advancement & Pipeline Development Work Group
Co-Chairs: Rob Cacace, Georgetown University Law Center and Jennifer Riedy Clark, University of Missouri School of Law. Members: Shannon DeGennaro, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, L.L.P.; Ray English, Snell & Wilmer; Lisa Feden, Ballard Spahr LLP; Jennifer Gewertz, Arnold & Porter; Mieko Iyama, Sidley Austin LLP; Michelle Jackson, Diversity Lab; Kourtney James, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP; Michala Jewell, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP; Cris Modesto, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP; Michael Nguyen, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP; Cassandre Stump, New York University School of Law.
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
Co-Chairs: Angelica Evans, The University of Texas School of Law and .Arturo Thompson, University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law NALP Members: Eric Bono, University of Denver Sturm College of Law; Courtney Jones, Florida A&M University College of Law; Moon Kim, New York University School of Law; Heather Spielmaker, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law; Diane Quick, University of Miami School of Law; Kimberly Underdown, St. Mary’s University School 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
Ethics and Standards Advisory Group
Chair: Amy Jones Mattock, Georgetown University Law Center. Members: Neil Dennis, Blaney McMurtry LLP; Jean Durling, Fox Rothschild LLP; Bruce Elvin, Duke University School of Law; Sheryl Roberts, Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP; Artavia Warthen, Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP.
Knowledge Management and Resource Implementation Work Group
Co-Chairs: Andy Hales, Venable LLP and David Cho, George Mason University School of Law.
NDLE/NDLS Advisory Group
Members: Liz Jones, University of Richmond School of Law; Samantha Kasmarek, Bousquet Holstein PLLC; Melissa Leger, Stanford Law School; Lauren Marsh, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Gretchen Rollins, Vinson & Elkins LLP.
PDQ Advisory Group
Members: Heather DiFranco, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP; Stephanie Felder, Groom Law Group, Chartered; Stacey Kielbasa, Chapman and Cutler LLP; Kay Nash, Wiley Rein LLP; Michelle Nash, Hogan Lovells US LLP; Alex Pillar, University of Illinois College of Law; Reva Pollack, Ice Miller LLP; Shar Poormosleh, Akin Gump; Sheri Zachary, Saul, Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP.
PSJD Advisory Group
Chair: Steve Grumm, Legal Aid of Western Michigan. Members: Rena Cervoni, US Department of Justice; Michelle Grossfield, Boston College Law School; Glroy McLaughlin, University of Alabama School of Law; Carolina Van Der Mensbrugghe, New York University School of Law; Michelle Mohr Vodenik, Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology.
Research Advisory Group
Members: Jessica Sisco, Scale LLP; Jim Walsh, Temple University Beasley School of Law
Event Planning Work Groups
2024 Annual Education Conference Planning Work Group
The Annual Education Conference Planning Work Group will plan and present the 2024 Annual Education Conference in Boston.
Chair: Cybele Smith, Ice Miller LLP.
Vice-Chairs: Lynn Iding, Stewart McKelvey; Amy Perez, University of Miami School of Law; Courtney Harris, UNT Dallas School of Law. The elected Conference Planning Coordinators serve as members of the Annual Education Conference Planning team.
Legal Recruiting Summit Planning Work Group
The Legal Recruiting Summit Planning Work Group plans and presents the annual Legal Recruiting Summit.
Members: Frank Guebara, Snell & Wilmer; Lynn Herron, Crowell & Moring; Cliff Jarrett, Washington & Lee; Nadine Ott, Faegre Drinker; Natasha Patel, Emory University School of Law; Olivia Schmit, Sidley Austin.
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: Robin Apodaca, USC Gould School of Law; Miriam Benor, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP; Carole Deeter, Thompson Hine LLP; Jessica Jacobs, Fox Rothschild LLP; Mary Beth Walsh, Dykema Gossett PLLC; Rochelle Weiner, Blank Rome LLP.
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