Alana Monson Receives the 2025 Rising Star Award  

August, 2026 (McLean, VA) The Professional Development Consortium (PDC) proudly announces Alana Monson, Senior Professional Development Specialist, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, as the recipient of the 2025 Rising Star Award,recognizing emerging excellence in legal professional development.  

Chosen from a competitive pool of nominees nationwide, Monson was honored in front of her peers at the 2026 PDC Summer Conference in Atlanta.  

Alana Monson was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Rising Star Award in recognition of the initiative, curiosity, and commitment to service highlighted throughout her nominations. She exemplifies the spirit of the award through her contributions to the profession, learner-centered approach to professional development, and dedication to helping others build skills, embrace new tools, and grow with confidence. Her collaborative mindset, thoughtful leadership, and enthusiasm for advancing the field reflect the promise of a rising professional whose impact is already being felt across the legal professional development community. 

The Rising Star Award will be presented annually to a recipient who has demonstrated exceptional promise, growth, and early-career excellence in the professional development field.  

About the Professional Development Consortium (PDC): The PDC is an association of individuals working at law firms, law schools, government agencies, and corporations who are responsible for developing and administering training and professional development for lawyers. For more information, visit http://www.pdclegal.org or follow us on LinkedIn.