Our events are specifically designed to further legal education and support the professional development of NAWL members. We host three premier annual conferences: the Unconference, the Annual Meeting, and the General Counsel Institute. Our member-exclusive Leadership Program takes place in the fall, and we provide regular virtual and regional events. Members receive a discounted rate to attend all our conferences, and they can attend virtual events for free.
New in 2025, the (un)conference will be an intimate, intensive, retreat-style conference. The personalized programming will be highly interactive and designed for small-group discussions and authentic relationship building.
Upcoming:
2025 (un)conference | Mar. 5 - 7, 2025 | Palm Springs |
Learn more.
A multi-week intensive cohort, the Leadership Program seeks to strengthen participants’ leadership skills and build their professional networks. The Program is intended for members in a mid-to-senior career stage who are ready to advance to the next level. For example, participants may want a boost into partnership, equity partnership, or management positions.
Each weekly session is designed to assist participants in fortifying their sense of leadership and developing meaningful connections through impactful presentations, small-group discussions, and community-building exercises. Members can apply, and Sustaining Sponsors have a designated number of tickets according to their sponsorship level.
Upcoming:
2025 Leadership Program | Mar. 27 - May 1, 2025 | Virtual | Learn more.
Our largest conference, the Annual Meeting is a time for celebration and connection. Throughout the program, we celebrate our collective achievements from the past year. We recognize the current NAWL award recipients, and we feature them in exceptional programming. Creative networking opportunities allow attendees to build relationships with members from across the country.
Upcoming:
2025 Annual Meeting | Jul. 23 - 24, 2025 | Hilton Chicago | Learn more.
2026 Annual Meeting | Jul. 22 - 23, 2026 | Hilton Chicago
The General Counsel Institute (“GCI”) is a multi-day program specially curated for the networking, education, and inspiration needs of senior in-house women counsel. Sessions featuring the general counsel of major corporations and other inspirational speakers foster frank, collegial discussions about career advancement. Workshops on key topics with leading experts provide opportunities to refine skills. GCI provides a unique environment to connect with other women in-house counsel, share the highs and lows of in-house life, and build legal and leadership skills.
Upcoming:
2025 General Counsel Institute | Oct. 15 - 17, 2025 | InterContinental New York Barclay | Learn more.
2026 General Counsel Institute | Oct. 14 - 16, 2026 | InterContinental New York Barclay
2027 General Counsel Institute | Oct. 13 - 15, 2027 | InterContinental New York Barclay
Hosted by our Affinity Groups, our frequent virtual events explore relevant topics in many practice areas and across many career stages. They offer a platform for learning from expert panelists and staying up-to-date on the latest legal matters, all from the convenience of your office. Many virtual events offer CLE credit.
Upcoming: See our upcoming virtual events.
NAWL welcomes attorney and member voices from all backgrounds, practice areas, and experiences. Our speakers join a dynamic exchange of ideas that embraces diversity and fosters growth.