History

On May 11, 1990, the first meeting of the group that later became the Professional Development Consortium (PDC) was held at the offices of the American Law Institute-American Bar Association Committee on Continuing Professional Education (ALI-ABA) in Philadelphia. Titled “Training for Lawyers in the 90’s: A Meeting of In-House Training Professionals,” this event was organized by ALI-ABA and attended by 28 professionals from law firms, corporations, and government agencies across the United States and Canada.

Independent from the start, participants decided to form a self-determining association of in-house training professionals that would meet annually or semi-annually at host law firms to discuss shared topics of interest and support skill-building. They also explored the possibility of developing an electronic listserv for members, hosted by the American Bar Association, and named the first Steering Committee. At the second meeting in August 1990 at ABA Headquarters in Chicago, the group formally adopted the name “Professional Development Consortium” and outlined the organization’s mission, membership criteria, and leadership structure.

Over the next 10 years, the PDC grew in size and purpose, meeting regularly on a semi-annual basis at members’ law firms across the U.S. and Canada, then in larger venues as membership increased. Between meetings, the listserv thrived as a constant source of information and communication among members, as it still does today.

In the early 2010s, the PDC transitioned from an all-volunteer effort to an organization co-led by both volunteer members and professional staff. By 2015, the PDC had grown to several hundred members across the United States and Canada and celebrated its 25th anniversary. From 2020 to 2021, the PDC continued to offer its services virtually during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing ways for members to connect, learn, and teach about remote and hybrid work environments.

Today, the PDC serves over 900 members and continues to grow in size and influence, serving as a thought leader within the legal professional development world and a community of support and resources for its members. The PDC hosts a large summer conference each year, a robust schedule of learning webinars, a certificate program, local chapters, active committees, social media presence, a cohort of Trusted Advisors, a VIBES program, a job board, and a lively members-only online community.

The PDC looks forward to continuing to serve its members for many years to come.