FAYETTEVILLE -- The courtroom isn't the only place law graduates can practice. The National Agricultural Law Center and American Agricultural Law Association are hosting a webinar highlighting possibilities for students interested in ag and food law.
According to the American Bar Association, more than 36,000 students graduated with a law degree in 2022. Of those, 52% went to law firms, while nearly 40% of graduates found employment in areas such as business and industry, government, public interest, clerkships and education.
The NALC and AALA's "Growing Careers" webinar is crafted especially for law students, as well as the faculty who advise them about their next steps beyond law school. Kirstin Nelson, law librarian for the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library, will present the webinar, titled "Growing Careers in Agricultural and Food Law for Law Students: Non-Traditional Legal Paths and Opportunities" on Wednesday, March 27, at 11 a.m.
"It's important for law students to know that there are opportunities in agricultural and food law beyond traditional legal careers," Nelson said in a news release. "During the webinar, I will share insights from my career path and my current position as a law librarian with USDA. The opportunities for these students are numerous, they just need to know that they are out there."
The webinar is free of charge and registration is online at:
https://tinyurl.com/bdhhw7ab
The "Growing Careers" series is a component of the NALC's Bridges Initiative, a student-focused, public-private partnership offering professional development, networking, and increased legal knowledge to pre-college, undergraduate, and law students interested in agricultural and food law issues and careers.
Nelson also works closely with the NALC by coordinating the Agricultural Law Information Partnership between the National Agricultural Library, the NALC and the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law and Graduate School.
"We are proud to continue the 'Growing Careers' series alongside AALA," NALC Director Harrison Pittman said in the release. "It's important for students who are considering future career paths to understand the different legal career options they have. Kirstin is a great friend of the NALC, and her unique insight and experiences will be extremely beneficial to students and those who advise them."
Tru Joi Curtis is with the National Agricultural Law Center, U of A System Division of Agriculture.