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.
2026-2027 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.
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, equity, and inclusion.
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 8 years or more of experience and have actively participated in NALP.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lawyer On-Boarding/Integration Section
The Lawyer On-Boarding/Integration Section is for NALP members with an interest in or responsibility for lawyer on-boarding and integration.
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.
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.
Newer Professionals Section
The Newer Professionals Section is for NALP members who have been in the profession for four years or less.
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.
Recruiting Section
The Recruiting Section is for NALP members who have an interest in or are responsible for law school outreach, summer programs, and entry-level lawyer recruiting.
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.
Well-Being Section
The Well-Being Section will convene NALP members with a particular interest in the well-being of law students and lawyers. The Section will facilitate collaboration and support and share learning and best practices with one another and the NALP community.
Lateral Recruiting Interest Group
For members with an interest in or responsibility for law firm lateral recruiting.
Law School Alumni Advising Interest Group
The Law School Alumni Advising Interest Group is open to members with an interest in or responsibility for advising law school graduates. This group will develop resources for members, including programming at the Annual Education Conference, webinars, Bulletin+ articles, results of environmental scanning efforts, and other resources to be made available on NALPconnect and the NALP website.
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.
Legal Employer Chief Officers Interest Group
This interest group is open to any NALP legal employer member who holds a chief role or chief-equivalent role, as broadly defined by your organization, 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.
Small and Mid-Sized Law Firm Interest Group
Many law firm professionals in small to mid-size firms wear multiple hats and work in several departments in their firms, with this in mind the Small and Mid-Sized Firm Interest Group was formed to create a space that would allow members to more easily and formally coordinate a schedule of webinars and meetings, identify shared objectives, and collaborate to bring opportunities and resources to members across their various roles.
Affinity Groups
NALP Affinity Groups are a collective of individuals who share a common identity, background, interest, or experience and their allies. They serve as a supportive space where members can connect, collaborate, and advocate for shared interests. They also promote inclusivity, foster a sense of belonging, and provide opportunities for personal and professional development.
Asian American/Pacific Islander Affinity Group
Join on NALPconnect
Black/African American Affinity Group
Join on NALPconnect
Black Men Sub-Affinity Group
Join on NALPconnect
Caregivers Affinity Group
Join on NALPconnect
Hispanic/Latinx Affinity Group
Join on NALPconnect
LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
Join on NALPconnect
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Committees and Work Groups
NALP Committees and Task Forces are either elected by the membership or appointed by the President to complete a specific task or project. Elected committee members can be found on the Board of Directors and Leaders page.
1L Early Professional Development Task Force
Co-Chairs: Shannon Burke, Chapman and Cutler LLP, and Tom Lee, Penn State Dickinson Law School. Members: Melissa Berry, Perkins Coie LLP; David Diamond, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; Bruce Elvin, Duke University School of Law; Kasey Fenn, Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP; Andrea Glosser, Georgetown University Law Center; Courteney Harris, UNT Dallas College of Law; Ian Nelson, Hotshot Legal; Erin Wilkins, Axinn Veltrop; Additional Members TBA
Credentialing Task Force
Co-Chairs: Rob Cacace, Georgetown University Law Center, and Jessica Buchsbaum, Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP. Members: Sarah Bergen, Sidley Austin LLP; Lisa Feden, Ballard Spahr LLP; Ashley Gardner, O’Melveny & Myers LLP; Georgia Emery Gray, Hogan Lovells US LLP; Rachel Kleiner, Proskauer LLP; Ginny Mueller, McDermott Will & Schulte LLP; Jessica Sisco, Scale LLP; Precillia Soares, Holland & Knight LLP
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee
Chair: Bendita Malakia, O'Melveny & Myers. Members: Elizabeth Acevedo, Fordham University Law School; Khadija Glover, Gowling WLG; Marti McCausland, University of Oregon School of Law; Jennifer Mencarini, Fox Rothschild; Christopher Neal, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Kia Scipio, ISEE Creative LLC, Sherry-Ann Smith-Gomez, Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, LaNitra Webb, O'Melveny & Myers LLP
Future Leaders Task Force
Co-Chairs: Anna Friesenhahn, Perkins Coie LLP, and Beth Moeller, UCLA School of Law. Members: Elisabeth Beal, William & Mary Law School; Pascale Bishop, Fisher Phillips; Eric Bono, University of Denver Sturm College of Law; Keya Dasgupta, Torys LLP; Nicole Llorenz, Latham & Watkins LLP; Amy Mattock, Georgetown University Law Center; Melissa Meyer, Venable LLP; Alisa Benedict O’Brien, University of Akron School of Law
Governance Engagement Task Force
Chair: Tony Waller, University of Georgia School of Law. Members: Jennifer Gewertz, Arnold & Porter; Janet Hutchinson, University of Richmond School of Law; Melissa Lennon, Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.; Traci Mundy Jenkins, Venable LLP; Melanie Rowen; Cassandre Stump, New York University School of Law; Kara Sutherland, Dentons Canada LLP
Government/Public Interest Employer Recruitment Task Force
Chair: Michael Romney, Riverside County District Attorney's Office. Vice-Chair: Steve Grumm, thredpartners. Members: John Campbell, New York City Law Department; Amanda Doroshow, Acacia Law Center; Lillian Evans, New York Law School; Isabelle Ramos, New York State Defenders Association, Inc.; Gregory Whitt, Earthjustice; Grayce Wiggins, Harvard Law School ; Samantha Zandman, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
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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: Randolph Reliford, Florida A&M University College of Law, and Moon Kim, New York University School of Law. Members: Kate Eklund, UCLA School of Law; Suzanne Hard, George Washington University School of Law; Liz Jones, University of Richmond School of Law; Tammy King, Washburn University School of Law; Diane Quick, University of Miami School of Law; Kimberly Underdown, St. Mary’s University School of Law; Tony Waller, University of Georgia School of Law
Canadian Research Advisory Group
Co-Chairs: Nicola Martin, York University - Osgoode Hall Law School; Jennifer Nadon, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law (Common Law). Members: Cemeka Douglas, Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP; Alexandra Waite, University of Ottawa Faculty of Law (Common Law)
Ethics and Standards Advisory Group
Chair: Amy Jones Mattock, Georgetown University Law Center. Members: Neil Dennis, Blaney McMurtry LLP; Quaime Lee, Northeastern University School of Law
Knowledge Management and Resource Implementation Advisory Group
Chair: Andy Hales, Venable LLP. Members: Lisa Blair, Borden Ladner Gervais; Heather DiFranco, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP; Lynn Herron, Crowell & Moring LLP; Karl Riehl, Armstrong Teasdale LLP; Jenny Schaefers, Fisher & Phillips LLP
NDLE/NDLS Advisory Group
Members: Lindsae Badgerow, Varnum LLP; Gretchen Rollins, Vinson & Elkins; Precillia Soares, Holland & Knight LLP
PSJD Advisory Group
Chair: Jana Matthews, University of Washington School of Law. Members: Elizabeth Dunn, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law; Christopher Gerlica, Roger Williams University School of Law; Michelle Grossfield, Boston College Law School; Steve Grumm, thredpartners; Amy Hsieh, Brooklyn Law School; Michelle Vodenik, Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology; Rashida West, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Research Advisory Group
Chair: Samantha Stern, Richards, Layton & Finger P.A. Members: Erin Biggerstaff, Duke University School of Law; Maya Fromm, Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP; Lynn Herron, Crowell & Moring; Jennifer Moore, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law; Sheryl Roberts, Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP
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Event Planning Work Groups
2027 Annual Education Conference Planning Work Group
The Annual Education Conference Planning Work Group will plan and present the 2026 Annual Education Conference in Hollywood, FL.
Chair: Cinnamon Baker, Stoel Rives LLP.
Vice-Chairs: Jennifer Gewertz, Arnold & Porter; Cassandre Stump, New York University School of Law; Je Myung, K&L Gates.
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: TBA
Lateral Recruiting Summit Planning Work Group
The Lateral Recruiting Summit Planning Work Group plans and presents the Lateral Recruiting Summit.
Members: Laura DeRise, Javelin Search; Emily Reichs, Faegre Drinker Biddle Reath LLP.
Professional Development Institute Planning Work Group
The Professional Development Institute Planning Work Group plans and presents the annual Professional Development Institute.
Members: Marcie Davis, SMU Dedman School of Law; Heather DiFranco, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP; Kara Dodson, Hogan Lovells US LLP; Doug Ebeling, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP; Myriah Graves, Fogler Rubinoff LLP; Amanda Lui, Winston & Strawn; Jennifer Lucas-Ross, Morris James LLP; Roz Wright, McDemott Will & Schulte LLP
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