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    Membership Diversity Enhancement Program

    The purpose of the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources' (SEER) Membership Diversity Enhancement Program (MDEP) is to enhance and promote diversity within SEER membership, committees, leadership, programs, and publications. Prospective SEER members who self-identify as diverse are encouraged to apply.

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    Benefits

    Selected MDEP participants will receive the following benefits:

    • 50% payment of their ABA dues and waived SEER dues
    • Complimentary registration to one SEER conference of their choice and a $400 stipend that can be used towards certain travel/lodging expenses related to their attendance.
    • Invitation to monthly virtual meetings that provide exclusive networking opportunities and tips on how to maximize your ABA SEER membership.

    Guidelines

    Prospective SEER members who self-identify as diverse are encouraged to apply for MDEP. Diversity includes those who come from diverse backgrounds (including racially diverse, LGBTQ+, and new legal professionals), diverse practice settings (including government, non-profit, academia, and solo practice legal professionals), and those who are new to the legal field.

    • Ethnically diverse legal professionals

    • Government legal professionals (at any level of government)

    • Legal professionals working in the field for less than five years

    • Legal professionals in academia

    • Legal professionals who are 35 years old or younger

    • Legal professionals with disabilities

    • LGBTQ+ legal professionals

    • Public-interest legal professionals

    • Racially diverse legal professionals

    • Solo practitioners

    • Women legal professionals

    Participant Requirements

    If selected, participants must agree to:

    • Pay the balance of their ABA dues, upon notification after SEER pays 50%. 
    • Join at least one SEER committee.
    • Provide SEER with a valid e-mail address.
    • Participate in SEER activities, such as writing an article, agreeing to serve as a vice chair on a committee, or participating in the planning of a program.
    • Attend at least one SEER program using the complimentary registration provided by MDEP.

    Additional Information

    A limited number of applicants will be selected each year. Selection criteria include degree of involvement in practice areas and interest in the Section.

    Consistent with the goal of increased membership diversity, the program especially encourages applicants who are not already ABA or SEER members and applicants whose dues are not reimbursed by their employer. Current ABA members are not eligible to receive 50% off their ABA dues as a part of this program.

    All MDEP benefits are valid for one year following acceptance into the program.

    Please contact Kevin Gordon with any questions about MDEP.