April 8, 2026

In recent months, shifts in the legal recruiting landscape have drawn increased attention across the profession. The National Association for Law Placement (NALP) is closely monitoring these developments and their implications for law students and the broader legal community. Increasingly, NALP is concerned that some practices may place undue pressure on students in ways that both affect their well-being and their ability to fully engage in their legal education.

NALP's Principles for a Fair and Ethical Recruitment Process provide guidance to the legal community on how to engage in the recruiting process in ways that ensure the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, transparency, and non-discrimination in legal hiring. The Principles are intended to support a recruitment environment that reflects the values and responsibilities of the legal profession and serves the interests of employers, law schools, and students alike.

Recent recruiting practices raise important questions about whether the spirit and ideals embodied in the Principles are being fully reflected in the market. NALP urges employers to closely examine their recruiting approaches in light of the Principles and to consider whether adjustments are warranted.

In particular, the Principles call on employers to:

• Schedule recruitment activities in ways that do not interfere with students' academic obligations, including classes and exam periods;
• Exercise particular care during the first semester of law school and respect law school guidelines governing 1L recruitment;
• Provide reasonable and clearly defined timeframes for candidates to consider offers of employment;
• Avoid conduct that places undue pressure on candidates to accept or decline offers; and
• Refrain from practices that compromise a candidate's ability to make independent, informed decisions about their careers.

These considerations are central to a fair and ethical recruitment process. Practices that detract from students' ability to focus on their studies or that limit their capacity to make thoughtful decisions are inconsistent with the Principles, may be harmful to students, and undermine the long-term strength of the legal profession.

NALP also emphasizes that these Principles include important guidance for law schools and students, reflecting that a fair and ethical recruitment process is a shared responsibility across the legal community.

NALP will continue to provide data, guidance, and resources to support a thoughtful and responsible engagement with students throughout the recruiting cycle. As recruiting practices evolve, it is critical that they do so in ways that protect student well-being, respect the educational mission of law schools, and preserve the integrity of the profession. NALP remains committed to advancing the spirit and ideals embodied in the Principles across the legal community.

Alison Ashe-Card
President

Michael J. Ende
President-Elect

Nikia Gray
Executive Director