Law students with an interest in agricultural law have a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding and expand their professional networks through student associations. These associations not only provide a platform for networking but also serve as a conduit for learning and career advancement. However, the challenge lies in knowing where to find these associations or understanding how to establish one. To address this, the National Agricultural Law Center (NALC) and the American Agricultural Law Association (AALA) are hosting a pivotal webinar aimed at fostering the growth and development of agricultural law student associations across the country.
The webinar, titled “Growing Careers: Planning for the Success in Starting and Maintaining an Agricultural Law Student Association,” is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. Central/Noon Eastern. This event is part of the NALC’s “Growing Careers” series, which is a component of the Bridges Initiative. The Bridges Initiative is a student-focused program designed to create a pipeline of legal talent into the agricultural and food industries.
Harrison Pittman, Director of the NALC, emphasized the significance of student associations in agricultural and food law. “Student associations focusing on agricultural and food law can be a great learning and career development tool for law students,” Pittman stated. “The goal of this webinar is to help drive interest in expanding existing student associations as well as starting new ones in all corners of the country.”
The webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the AALA and NALC, including the resources both organizations offer to students. It will delve into best practices for forming and maintaining student law associations, provide examples of organizational documents, and feature a question-and-answer session to address specific queries from participants.
Pittman will be joined by a distinguished panel of agricultural professionals, including Austin Vincent, co-chair for the AALA Students and Young Professionals Outreach Committee and staff attorney for the Kansas Department of Agriculture; Caitlin Klingenberg, co-chair for the AALA Students and Young Professionals Outreach Committee and intellectual property counsel at Vermeer Corporation; and Regan O’Donnell, a law student at the University of North Dakota School of Law and current NALC research fellow.
The webinar aims to be more than just a presentation of information. “In addition to the information and resources we plan to share, we want this to be a discussion that helps law students, including prospective students, in any way that we can,” Pittman noted. This interactive approach is intended to foster a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences, which can be crucial for students looking to navigate the complexities of agricultural law.
Registration for the webinar is free and can be completed online, making it accessible to a broad audience of interested law students and professionals. By providing this free resource, the NALC and AALA are removing barriers to entry and encouraging widespread participation.
The implications of this webinar are significant. As the agricultural and food industries continue to evolve, the demand for skilled legal professionals in these fields is expected to grow. By equipping law students with the tools and knowledge to establish and expand student associations, the NALC and AALA are helping to ensure that the next generation of agricultural lawyers is well-prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.
For more information and to register for the webinar, interested parties can visit the NALC’s website. This initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to legal education and professional development, underscoring the vital role that student associations can play in shaping successful careers in agricultural law.