3Q’s with Debbie Snyder, Director of Santa Clara Law's Office of Career Management
Debbie Snyder, Santa Clara Law's Assisstant Dean of Career Management, was recently elected to the NALP Board of Directors. NALP is an association of over 3,000 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America. In the Q&A below, she shares insights on her new role, discussing the key legal employment trends and challenges she'll be focusing on, and how her involvement will benefit Santa Clara Law students and the Office of Career Management.
Q: What key legal employment trends or challenges will you focus on nationally now that you're on the NALP Board?
A: It's an interesting and challenging time in the legal profession, and as a board member for NALP, an association of over 3,000 legal career professionals, we’ll be focusing on a few key trends and challenges nationally. Our board is really committed to empowering our members as experts, ensuring equal access for all law students and lawyers, and getting tomorrow's leaders ready. Specifically, we'll be looking at the impact of artificial intelligence, recruitment by government and public interest employers, and religious inclusion.
Q: How will your NALP involvement bring new career service strategies or resources to our law school?
A: Having been an active NALP member for over 20 years, I can honestly say this organization has been crucial to my own professional growth. Now as a board member, I'm really excited to connect with colleagues across the U.S. and Canada. This means I'll be learning about the best practices and useful tools they're using, and I'll definitely be bringing those back to Santa Clara Law and our students!
Q: How will your NALP role help our career services adapt to the evolving legal profession?
A: NALP adopted a new strategic plan last year, and it's going to be instrumental in helping the organization thrive and adapt to the constantly changing legal landscape. By having both law school and legal employer members at the table together, we can really dig into these pressing issues and guide our membership accordingly. I'm genuinely looking forward to the next two years on the NALP Board and all the insightful conversations I know we'll have.