2025 Program Timeline

June 18, 2025 | IHC application opens

July 15, 2025 | IHC application deadline at 8 pm ET

Late July | Law firm application opens

Mid-September | Law firm application deadline at 8 pm ET

Early October | NAPABA staff to contact IHC and law firm with matching notice

In-House Counsel Application

Applications Are Closed 

NAPABA Connects provides in-house counsel (IHC) with the opportunity to build new relationships with outside counsel and with existing preferred provider firms. Within the application, you can select one of two options:

1. OPTION 1: Match me with law firm attorneys to cultivate a business relationship that my company currently does not have a relationship with. If selected, NAPABA will match you with participating law firms based on the criteria you indicate on the application.
2. OPTION 2: Match me with participating NAPABA Connects law firms that are already part of my company's preferred provider network. If selected, NAPABA will provide a list of eligible participating firms, and you may select which firms you'd like to meet with.

Convention Reimbursement

In-house counsel who participate in NAPABA Connects are eligible for a partial Convention registration reimbursement, provided they meet the following criteria:

• Attend all assigned 30-minute meetings (each with a different law firm).
• Participate in the NAPABA Connects Social.

Failure to attend any assigned meeting or participate in the NAPABA Connects Social will disqualify the participant from reimbursement. Reimbursement instructions will be shared after the conclusion of one-on-one meetings.

Participants are reimbursed based on the number of meetings they volunteered to attend when applying for NAPABA Connects, not the number of matches they ultimately received.

REIMBURSEMENT STRUCTURE

IHC Participants can apply to participate in 2 to 6 meetings. The 2025 reimbursement amounts are:

• If an IHC participant volunteers for:
  • 2-3 meetings, the IHC participant will receive a $550 reimbursement
  • 4-5 meetings, the IHC participant will receive a $650 reimbursement
  • 6 meetings, the IHC participant will receive a $750 reimbursement
• To receive reimbursement, NAPABA will verify meeting attendance with matched law firms and confirm participation in the NAPABA Connects Social with each IHC participant. 

Please note: If you are awarded a Connects reimbursement, you are not eligible to receive a Convention scholarship.

SELECTION PROCESS

Participation in NAPABA Connects is contingent upon being selected by law firm participants for one-on-one meetings and matched by NAPABA. Law firms are expected to schedule meetings with participating IHC during the NAPABA Convention.

 

Law Firm Application

Application Opens Late July

Only Solo and Small Firm, Gold, or higher-level sponsors are eligible to apply and will be sent the application form directly. If you are eligible, contact programs@napaba.org.

In addition to access to the NAPABA Connects Social, sponsors are eligible for a certain number of 1-on-1 meetings based on sponsorship level:

• Solo and Small Firm - up to 3 meetings
• Gold - up to 5 meetings
• Platinum - up to 6 meetings
• Diamond - up to 8 meetings
• Premier - up to 10 meetings

Not a sponsor? Click here to learn more about partnering with us.