In recognition of her quarter century of service to the nonprofit organization, the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) has honored LSU Law Career Services Director Gwendolyn Ferrell with its Service Excellence Award, which recognizes volunteers who go above and beyond and make notable contributions to the NALP community.
“Gwen is an exceptional leader who is deeply committed to NALP’s mission and advocating for her colleagues’ advancement with the profession. She has dedicated her career to the professional development of law students and is a champion for diversity within the profession,” said the NALP Board of Directors in announcing the honor. “NALP, its members, and the students and lawyers we serve have all benefited tremendously from Gwen’s leadership, and we are delighted to honor her with this award.”
Ferrell has been actively involved with NALP since she joined the LSU Law Office of Career Services in October 1999 as Assistant Director of Career Counseling. In 2004, she was promoted to Associate Director of Career Services, and in September 2019 she was named Interim Director of the Office of Career Services. She has served as Director of Career Services since January 2021.
NALP is an association of over 3,000 legal career professionals who advise law students, lawyers, law offices, and law schools in North America and beyond. Ferrell recently completed a two-year board term as NALP Vice-President for Member Services and Education, leading its Regional Leadership Council and serving as an enthusiastic mentor to the organization’s regional representative. Over her 25 years of service, she has twice served on the national board as a director and an officer.
“From the beginning of my career in the legal industry to today, NALP has been an instrumental force in my personal and professional development,” said Ferrell. “NALP, for me has been much more than a provider of resources and learning opportunities, it is a community, a family, of like-minded dedicated professionals that support, mentor and encourage. My ability to assist our students in navigating challenges and transitioning into the legal profession is a direct result of the resources and connections I have received through my membership in NALP. Service is only a small token compared to the benefits. I look forward to continued involvement.”
Ferrell currently co-chairs the NALP Member Value Task Force and was previously a member of the Market Position & Branding Task Force. In addition to presenting at various NALP conferences, she has also served as a Southeast Regional Coordinator and as a member of both the Nominating Committee and the Conference Planning Committee.
Prior to joining LSU Law, Ferrell served in administrative human resource roles with Lafayette General Medical Center, and in recruitment and academic and career counseling roles with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The LSU Law Office of Career Services provides a wide variety of career planning and job search resources to help students and alumni find employment during law school and after graduation. Along with helping students define career objectives and identify employment opportunities based on their individual experiences, interests, values, skills and geographic preferences, the office facilitates on-campus interviews and sponsors a host of career-related programs throughout the year.
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