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.
Join Section Group on NALPconnect
2023-24 Section Chair: Tom Lee, Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law and Elizabeth Bernstein, Southwestern Law School
February 2024 Board Report (PDF)
November 2023 Board Report (PDF)
July 2023 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.
CSO Employer Outreach
The group examines the various duties of those engaged in employer outreach and seeks to increase awareness and understanding among legal employers as to the role of employer relations staff in law schools, and to encourage a dialogue that promotes a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship.
JD Counseling
The goal of this group is to bring together colleagues who regularly counsel law students and alumni. It will identify current counseling “hot topics,” key resources and develop articles and programs to address them.
Charge: Develop specific guidance and/or best practices for counseling students through issues relating to pre-cruiting, for example, and without limitation, how to request additional time to respond to an early offer, considerations for responding to exploding offers, and when career services professionals should contact employers.
Continue to review the Developing the Professional Lawyer Student Tip Videos and evaluate if additional topics should be considered for future videos.
First Generation College Students
Collaborate with the VP of DEI and the DEI Steering Committee on additional ways to assist JD career advisors in supporting law students who are first generation college graduates.
An extension of the general charge above, a reminder to consider RFPs for the 2024 Annual Education Conference, ideas for the Diversity Summit or other diversity programs and Bulletin+ articles and/or potential webinars.
JD Advantage Careers
Conceptualize a model for regional career fairs (virtual and/or in person) for law schools to implement on their own.
Continue the collaboration with NALP and law school members to recreate an annual week focused on JD Advantage careers.
Continue the creation and distribution of a podcast series showcasing lawyer interviews for the career paths outlined in the JD Advantage Career Guide.
2022-23 Section Co-Chairs: Beth Maoui, UC Irvine School of Law
April 2023 Board Report (PDF)
February 2023 Board Report (PDF)
November 2022 Board Report (PDF)
July 2022 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 2023 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.
CSO Employer Outreach
The group examines the various duties of those engaged in employer outreach and seeks to increase awareness and understanding among legal employers as to the role of employer relations staff in law schools, and to encourage a dialogue that promotes a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship.
This group should continue its work on employer background checks by reviewing survey and outreach results and determine the best way to disseminate this analysis to the membership.
JD Counseling
The goal of this group is to bring together colleagues who regularly counsel law students and alumni. It will identify current counseling “hot topics”, key resources and develop articles and programs to address them.
Work with the NALP staff to create, produce and distribute the following additional Developing the Professional Lawyer student videos: on the use of honorifics (e.g. Mr. / Ms. /Mx.) in the profession, informational interviewing, and networking with attorneys.
Continue to review the Developing the Professional Lawyer Student Tip Videos and evaluate if additional topics should be considered for future videos.
First Generation College Students
Collaborate with the VP of DEI and the DEI Standing Committee on additional ways to assist JD career advisors in supporting law students who are first generation college graduates.
An extension of the general charge above, a reminder to consider RFPs for 2023 Annual Education Conference, ideas for the Diversity Summit or other diversity programs and Bulletin+ articles and/or potential webinars.
JD Advantage Careers
Conceptualize a model for regional career fairs (virtual and/or in person) for law schools to implement on their own.
Continue the collaboration with NALP and law school members to recreate an annual week focused on JD Advantage careers.
Continue the creation and distribution of a podcast series showcasing attorney interviews for the career paths outlined in the JD Advantage Career Guide.
Recruitment Tools Evaluation
Continue collaborating with the Recruiting and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sections using the responses to the spring Assessment Tools Survey (circulated through NALPconnect) and the assessment tools questions included in the Survey of Legal Employers on 2020-21 Recruiting are reviewed.
Develop and update an education guide about the use of assessment tools considering inclusion issues such as implicit bias, ADA, privacy concerns, and data ownership, and create a corresponding distribution plan.
UBE Score Portability
Update the “UBE Score Portability Cheat Sheet”.
Legal Internship Guide
Create a brief guide on the requirements and considerations for an effective legal internship program for employers new to hiring law students. If appropriate, create that brief guide in a template form that members could adapt to their own schools and markets and provide to potential internship employers.
Member Relations
Reach out to new members on a regular basis to welcome them to the section. Educate new and continuing members about ways to get involved. Consider contacting members from other sections and groups to encourage them to join.
Knowledge Management and Resource Implementation
Identify top resources relevant to the section and collaborate with the NALP staff to explore location options for the compilation to provide easy access.
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 Standing Committee to address these issues.
Well-Being 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.
Communications, Social Media & Marketing
Develop at least four (quarterly) social media posts to share with the NALP staff and conduct monthly member outreach on NALPconnect to update the membership about the work of the group.
2021-22 Section Co-Chairs: Valerie Castelo, University of California, Berkeley School of Law and George Podolin, William & Mary Law School
April 2022 Board Report (PDF)
February 2021 Board Report (PDF)
November 2021 Board Report (PDF)
July 2021 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 2022 Annual Education Conference and topics for Bulletin+ articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Consider the production of educational webinars throughout the year.
CSO Employer Outreach
The group examines the various duties of those engaged in employer outreach and seeks to increase awareness and understanding among legal employers as to the role of employer relations staff in law schools, and to encourage a dialogue that promotes a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship.
Collaborate with the Recruiting Section on issues regarding employment background checks in the private sector.
JD Counseling
The goal of this group is to bring together colleagues who regularly counsel law students and alumni. It will identify current counseling “hot topics”, key resources and develop articles and programs to address them.
Review the Developing the Professional Lawyer Student Tip Videos and evaluate if additional topics should be considered for future videos.
First Generation College Students
Collaborate with the DEI Section on additional ways to assist JD career advisors in supporting law students who are first generation college graduates.
Review recent law school survey about first-generation programming and finalize guide to assist JD counselors in supporting their law students.
An extension of the general charge above, a reminder to consider RFPs for 2022 Annual Education Conference, ideas for the Diversity Summit or other diversity programs and Bulletin+ articles and/or potential webinars.
JD Advantage Careers
Conceptualize a model for regional career fairs (virtual and/or in person) for law schools to implement on their own.
Collaborate with NALP and law school members to create a week focused on JD Advantage careers.
Create a podcast series showcasing attorney interviews for the career paths outlined in the JD Advantage Career Guide.
Recruitment Tools Evaluation
Continue collaborating with the Recruiting and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Sections after the responses to the spring Assessment Tools Survey (circulated through NALPconnect) and the assessment tools questions included in the Survey of Legal Employers on 2020-21 Recruiting are reviewed.
Develop an education guide about the use of assessment tools considering inclusion issues such as implicit bias, ADA, privacy concerns, and data ownership, and create a corresponding distribution plan.
Member Relations
Reach out to new members on a regular basis to welcome them to the section. Educate new and continuing members about ways to get involved. Consider contacting members from other sections and groups to encourage them to join.
Knowledge Management and Resource Implementation
Identify top resources relevant to the section and collaborate with the KM/RI Advisory Group to explore location options for the compilation to provide easy access. Ensure NALPconnect is used for section communications.
2020-21 Section Chair: Mary Beth Nielsen, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
April 2021 Board Report (PDF)
February 2021 Board Report (PDF)
November 2020 Board Report (PDF)
July 2020 Board Report (PDF)
Work Groups:
CSO Employer Outreach
The group examines the various duties of those engaged in employer outreach work and seeks to increase awareness and understanding among legal employers as to the role of employer relations staff in law schools, and to encourage a dialogue that promotes a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship.
JD Counseling
The goal of this group is to bring together colleagues who regularly counsel students and alumni to share information and develop resources to benefit NALP members. It will identify current counseling issues, and will discuss those challenges and responses in articles and programming. This group will finalize the resource for advisors helping students or recent graduates regarding negotiations on salary and other employment terms. It will also continue its work on helping advisors counsel students and graduates on issues surrounding employment background checks. Consider partnering with the Public Service Section on a checklist or other information delineating government employers' background checks.
Annual Education Conference / Bulletin Article and Webinar Planning
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2021 Annual Education Conference and topics for NALP Bulletin articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Consider the production of educational webinars throughout the year.
First Generation College Students
Brainstorm with Section on additional ways to help JD career advisors in supporting law students who are first generation college graduates, including finalizing a toolkit to assist law schools in offering First Gen programming. Consider RPFs for 2021 Annual Education Conference or ideas for Diversity Summit. Similarly consider relevant bulletin articles and/or potential webinars.
JD Advantage Careers
Continue NALP's work on the development of information about JD Advantage Careers. Finalize and publicize the new JD Advantage Career Guide. Continue its work of creating a guide of and/or model for creating regional JD Advantage Career Fairs that law schools can follow in setting up and holding their own events.
Recruitment Tools Evaluation
In collaboration with the Recruiting and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Sections, identify and review emerging recruiting tools (i.e. personality assessments, psychometrics, Thine, Pymetrics). Consider creating an educational guide regarding such tools and spotting issues to be aware of, including implicit bias, ADA issues, privacy concerns, and data ownership.
Member Relations
Reach out to new and/or continuing members on a periodic basis to welcome them to the section and educate them about ways to get involved. Consider reaching out to additional members encouraging them to join the section.
Knowledge Management
Collaborate with the KM Advisory Group in helping to identify, review, and classify NALP information relevant to JD career advisors to assist in more effective data searches.
2019-20 Section Chair: Tammy King, Washburn University School of Law
April 2020 Board Report (PDF)
February 2020 Board Report (PDF)
November 2019 Board Report (PDF)
July 2019 Board Report (PDF)
Work Groups:
Strategic Planning
Collect feedback and prepare a memorandum to the Board of Directors highlighting strategic goals for the Section and its subject matter and/or area of interest.
CSO Employer Outreach
The group examines the various duties of those engaged in employer outreach work and seeks to increase awareness and understanding among legal employers as to the role of employer relations staff in law schools, and to encourage a dialogue that promotes a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship.
JD Counseling
The goal of this group is to bring together colleagues who regularly counsel students and alumni to share information and develop resources to benefit NALP members. This group will identify current issues in law student counseling, and will discuss those challenges and responses in articles and programming.
Annual Education Conference / Bulletin Article and Webinar Planning
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2020 Annual Education Conference and topics for NALP Bulletin articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Consider the production of educational webinars throughout the year.
First Generation College Students
Collaborate with the Diversity and Inclusion Section regarding law students and entry-level lawyers who are first generation college graduates. Explore this identity as a factor of socioeconomic diversity. Consider RPFs for 2020 Annual Education Conference or ideas for Diversity Summit. Similarly consider relevant bulletin articles and/or potential webinars.
Sexual Harassment & Recruiting Conduct
With the Recruiting Section, continue to find ways to educate membership on best practices related to preventing sexual harassment and bias in recruiting process.
Develop model best practices and provide member education on preventing sexual harassment through webinars, Bulletin articles, and conference programming.
JD Advantage Careers
Continue NALP’s work on the development of information about JD Advantage Careers. Consider the production of a webinar, a guide to hosting a JD Advantage career fair, a video series featuring JD graduates working in these careers and a database of associations, job board and certifications for typical JD Advantage careers.
2018-19 Section Chair: Leslie Becker Wilson, University of Massachusetts School of Law
April 2019 Board Report (PDF)
February 2019 Board Report (PDF)
July 2018 Board Report (PDF)
November 2018 Board Report (PDF)
Work Groups:
CSO Employer Outreach
The group examines the various duties of those engaged in employer outreach work and seeks to increase awareness and understanding among legal employers as to the role of employer relations staff in law schools, and to encourage a dialogue that promotes a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship.
JD Counseling
The goal of this group is to bring together colleagues who regularly counsel students and alumni to share information and develop resources to benefit NALP members. This group will identify current issues in law student counseling, and will discuss those challenges and responses in articles and programming.
Annual Education Conference / Bulletin Article and Webinar Planning
Brainstorm with Section membership to develop ideas and identify speakers for the 2019 Annual Education Conference and topics for NALP Bulletin articles. Assist members through the completion of the RFP processes for both. Consider the production of educational webinars throughout the year.
First Generation College Students
Collaborate with the Diversity and Inclusion Section regarding law students and entry-level lawyers who are first generation college graduates. Explore this identity as a factor of socioeconomic diversity.
Professionalism & Recruiting Training Videos
Continue three section collaboration (JD Career Advisors, Law Student Professional Development and Recruiting) on the production of 1-3 minutes training videos on various aspects of the recruiting process with an emphasis on professional interactions and quality decision-making.
Sexual Harassment & Recruiting Conduct
Collaborate with the Recruiting Section to engage in environmental scanning about employer anti-harassment policies and school recruiting conduct policies in connection with the NALP Open Letter to Members Seeking Engagement on Renewing Our Commitment To Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Hiring Process, November 14, 2017.
Develop model best practices and provide member education on preventing sexual harassment through webinars, Bulletin articles, and conference programming.
JD Advantage Careers
Continue NALP’s work on the development of information about JD Advantage Careers. Consider the production of a webinar, a guide to hosting a JD Advantage career fair, a video series featuring JD graduates working in these careers and a database of associations, job board and certifications for typical JD Advantage careers.
2017-18 Section Chair: Tony Waller, University of Georgia School of Law
April 2018 Board Report (PDF)
February 2018 Board Report (PDF)
November 2017 Board Report (PDF)
July 2017 Board Report (PDF)
2016-17 Section Chair: Tony Waller, University of Georgia School of Law
April 2017 Board Report (PDF)
February 2017 Board Report (PDF)
November 2016 Board Report (PDF)
July 2016 Board Report (PDF)
