MLA Introduces MLAccelerate a Unique Professional Development Program Designed for Diverse Recruiters

Hanover, MD (February 5, 2024) – Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world’s leading legal search firm, announced today its new professional leadership development experience, MLAccelerate. The program, in cooperation with the University of Virginia Darden’s School of Business, is designed to augment its successful diverse recruiters with additional knowledge and key skills needed to continue to ensure their success across multiple stages of their careers at the firm.

The program, which launched in October 2023, offers four in-person, thematic sessions intended to cultivate personal leadership skills that integrate racial identity management as a component; develop and practice core competencies needed to be more effective in their roles; and continue to establish productive and resilient networks. Each module focuses on a different competency, but all sessions incorporate a continuous theme of identity-based leadership development. Most notably, the program will incorporate a robust sponsorship component incorporating the firm’s most successful recruiters as committed champions for the development and success of program participants.

“Being able to support our recruiters and bolster their practical skills to operate at the top of their profession and support the needs of a diverse community of legal professionals is a top priority for Major, Lindsey & Africa,” said Carlos Pauling, Executive Director, Partner Practice Group. “We believe MLAccelerate will better enable our recruiters to lean into their strengths, find power in their own diversity and increase connections with their colleagues and clients.”

The first class of participants are members of the firm’s African American Recruiter Employee Resource Group (ERG). Future iterations of the program will be expanded to include members of the firm’s other ERGs.