Alison Plavin

Alison is a director of attorney career development at Taft. In this multi-faceted role, Alison supports associates and associate-development strategies, goals, and objectives across the firm. This includes guiding and mentoring associates throughout their career stages, matching associates to work opportunities with an eye toward achieving a purposeful and equitable distribution of work assignments, contributing to firm-wide initiatives and programs designed to enhance associate development and retention, and partnering with firm leaders to strategically support overall associate advancement.

Prior to joining Taft, Alison was assistant director of employer relations at the University of Minnesota Law School Career Center, where she managed and implemented employer development strategies, including national recruiting and networking programs. Alison also served as Minnesota Law’s alumni career counselor and advised on student professional development strategy and programs. Before this, she worked as an attorney for a leading Midwestern law firm.

Alison received her undergraduate degree with high distinction from Indiana University. She received her J.D., cum laude, from Washington University School of Law.

• Presenter, “The Business of Law,” University of Minnesota Law School (October 2024)
• Presenter, “The Business of Law,” University of Minnesota Law School (November 2023)
• Presenter, “How to Prioritize Your Well-Being in a Hybrid World,” Lawyer Professional Development Section, National Association for Law Placement (October 2023)
• Panelist, “OCI Boot Camp,” University of St. Thomas School of Law (April 2023)
• Panelist, “Understanding the Updated ABA Standards: How do Updated Accreditation Standards Impact Practicing Attorneys,” Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (November 2022)
• Presenter, “The Business of Law,” University of Minnesota Law School (November 2022)
• Panelist, “Make the Most of Your Student Legal Position: Building Great Relationships, Submitting Great Work, and Learning on the Job,” University of Minnesota Law School (April 2022)
• Presenter, “The Unwritten Rulebook: A Law Student’s Crash Course In Soft Skills And Social Etiquette In The Legal Workplace,” Federal Bar Association – Minnesota Chapter Mentoring Committee (April 2022)