Morgan L. Smith Honored With NALP’s 2011 President’s Award

CHICAGO - Dykema Gossett PLLC is pleased to announce that Professional Development Director, Morgan L. Smith, has been honored as co-recipient of the National Association for Law Placement's (NALP) 2011 President's Award. The award is bestowed at the discretion of NALP's president to individuals who exemplify extraordinary contribution to the organization and its mission of, "providing vision, expertise, research, and education; cultivating fair and ethical practices; and advocating for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession." Smith, together with her co-chair of NALP's Commission on Recruiting in the Legal Profession, Terrence J. Galligan, accepted the award at NALP's Annual Education Conference in Palm Springs on April, 29, 2011.

As a frequent speaker, Smith is widely recognized for her contributions to the legal recruiting community. She has been a member of the NALP since 1994 and within that time, has held multiple leadership roles, including with Galligan, as co-chair of the Commission on Recruiting in the Legal Profession from 2009 to 2011. Under their leadership, the Commission was charged with investigating and recommending an alternative to law firm on-campus recruiting—a process deeply rooted in the legal industry's history.

As Dykema's Professional Development Director, Smith designs, implements and evaluates the firm's attorney training and professional development programs with an emphasis on attorney integration, retention and mentoring. She partners with Dykema's professional personnel team to align diversity and recruiting efforts with the needs of the firm's department directors, practice group and industry group leaders. She also manages the firm's Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program.