About Practising Law Institute
What is Practising Law Institute?
Practising Law Institute (PLI) is a New York nonprofit that trains lawyers. Its Form 990 calls it "a nonprofit learning organization dedicated to keeping attorneys and other professionals at the forefront of knowledge and expertise, as well as preparing them to fulfill their pro bono responsibilities." It was founded in 1933 by Harold P. Seligson, "a newly-appointed lawyer who saw a need for high-quality legal education beyond law school"; it first offered CLE programs in 1938, aired its first webcast in 2001, and in 2023 launched a mobile app "which would go on to win multiple awards". PLI teaches 33 practice areas through more than 1,000 volunteer faculty members, and its library draws on more than 200 expert authors. Over 450,000 professionals are Privileged Members, including 95% of the Am Law 100, and PLI reports a 99% membership retention rate. Fast Company featured it in its Brands That Matter 2023. PLI is also building AI products: its open Senior Director, New Product Development role will set up a "Rapid MVP Lab" where "ideas and prototypes are turned into functional AI products in weeks, not months."
Where will I work?
PLI's headquarters is at 1177 Avenue of the Americas in New York, and it also has an office at 455 Market Street in San Francisco. It offers "hybrid remote/in-person schedules for most roles", and staff get a one-time $500 home office allowance. "We enjoy a professional, collegial environment, whether on screen or in person," the careers page says. Its current opening, for a senior director to lead AI-driven product development, is based in New York and pays $190,000 to $215,000 a year.
What is the PLI team like?
PLI employed 360 people in 2024, according to its Form 990, alongside an estimated 4,433 volunteers. It is led by president Sharon L. Crane, and its board is chaired by Lynn K. Neuner, a partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. "PLI's staff is diverse and dynamic, including employees with decades of experience and those just starting out, with experience in corporations, nonprofits, and academia." The careers page describes a leadership team that "models transparency and communication, making sure everyone has a stake in our shared goals and vision", through "regular updates, meetings with all staff, and frequent opportunities to meet informally". Collaboration is "central to our work days", PLI hosts many volunteer outings each year, and it describes itself as "a learning organization" where "we also learn from one another."
Work-Life Balance
"We believe that when employees are well-rested and fulfilled both at work and at home, they can contribute more effectively to our success." PLI's full-time week is 35 hours, and its careers page lists "Summer fridays", a "Company culture that supports signing off", "Generous PTO with personal days and floating holiday" and "10+ paid holidays". Job postings promise "4+ weeks of paid time off and hybrid remote/in-person schedules for most roles", and every employee gets 7 hours, a full work day, of volunteer time off each year. PLI doesn't publish which months its summer Fridays run or what hours they cover.
Perks and Benefits
- Summer Fridays and a 35-hour work week
- 4+ weeks of paid time off with personal days and a floating holiday, plus 10+ paid holidays
- Hybrid remote/in-person schedules for most roles
- Medical, dental and vision plans for employees and their families
- A 403(b) plan, with generous PLI contributions after 2 years at no cost to you
- Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning, plus onsite trainings and professional development conferences
- A one-time $500 home office allowance
- A gym/wellness allowance of up to $300 a year and employee wellness programs
- 7 hours of volunteer time off each year