You are invited to join the AILA New England Executive Committee for a special leadership conversation designed to demystify Executive Committee service and to show why serving on the Chapter’s Executive Committee is one of the most meaningful ways you can influence the immigration landscape in our region.

Serving on the AILA New England Executive Committee is more than a volunteer role. It is a chance to help shape policy priorities, strengthen the immigration bar, support your fellow practitioners, and advocate for immigrant communities across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Executive Committee members play a direct role in guiding the Chapter’s response to rapidly evolving legal, policy, and practice challenges, while ensuring that AILA New England remains a strong, inclusive, and effective voice for our members.

This program will feature a candid discussion with current and former AILA New England leaders, who will share what Executive Committee service really looks like: the responsibilities, the time commitment, the support systems in place, and the tangible impact this work has on both the membership and the broader immigration community. Panelists will discuss how leadership within AILA New England translates into meaningful professional growth, deeper connections across the bar, and a lasting contribution to the practice of immigration law.

Attendees will gain practical insight into:

– The role and responsibilities of the AILA New England Executive Committee

– How Executive Committee members influence programming, policy advocacy, government liaison work, and member support

– The skills and perspectives that make members effective leaders at every career stage

– How to prepare for and step into an Executive Committee role with confidence and purpose

– Whether you are early in your career, mid‑career, or a seasoned practitioner looking to give back in a more impactful way, this conversation will offer clarity, encouragement, and a roadmap for getting involved.

Presenters:

– Tania Martinez, AILA NE Chair, AILA Board of Governors

– Michelle Shepard, AILA NE Chair-Elect

– Peter Rees, AILA NE Vice-Chair

– MyungJin MJ Lee, AILA NE Treasurer

– Becky von Trapp, AILA NE Secretary

– Miki Matrician, AILA NE Immediate Past Chair, AILA Elected Director on the Board of Governors