Welcome and Application Information

The C-Suite Leadership ("CSL") Program is a highly competitive professional development program for high potential talent from corporate legal departments and law firms.

The CSL Level I Program ("CSL-I") (formerly known as the Sources of Success Program) is a program for mid-career attorneys who are individual contributors at corporate legal departments or mid-to-senior associates in law firms. Each year, the curriculum evolves to address the needs of the cohort to excel as leaders within their own organizations. Focus areas have included individualized leadership assessments, development plans, and a professional strategic roadmap, which will continue supporting their ascend into leadership roles.

For the 2025 application and for the 2025-2026 cohort, there will be several changes to meet the needs of the participants. Key changes are highlighted below:
  • Program Name Change: Formerly known as the Sources of Success Program, the CSL-I name change encourages member organizations to identify talented individuals to recommend and support. In addition, there is a clear progression of professional development programs that organizations can take advantage of as MCCA members.
  • MCCA Level VI and VII Members: For Level VI and VII members, CSL-I will only be for 6 months rather than 12 months. Therefore, the 360 assessments and coaching sessions will not be offered to those in the 6-month program. This was a difficult decision MCCA had to make. Given the limited resources and the services that we provide to all members who are accepted, we believe this is the fairest outcome to ensure that those members who are at higher levels of membership receive more benefits. However, we will offer an opportunity for Level VI and Level VII members to opt into the 12-month program once accepted by paying fees associated with the 12-month program. MCCA will share the costs associated with this option should the accepted member want to opt in.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
  • Your law firm or legal department must be an MCCA member during the entire duration of CSL-I. If your MCCA membership renewal occurs during CSL-I, MCCA must have payment and/or commitment to renew to avoid disruption to the CSL-I participant.
  • CSL-I participants must be an attorney with at least seven years of experience practicing the law but no more than twenty years.
    • For example, if you graduated from law school in 2017, you would be eligible as you would have completed seven years of practice and would have started your eighth year in fall 2024. However, if you graduated in 2017 but were in transition and, therefore, did not practice and/or performed legal work as a consultant for one or more year, you would not be eligible as that transition year and/or work as a consultant would not be considered as primary practice.
    • There may be exceptions, and we encourage you to apply as the application is reviewed in whole.
  • All attorneys are encouraged to apply including those attorneys who are from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+, military veterans, women, and attorneys with disabilities. Underrepresented racial/ethnic group is defined as African American/Black, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American/Indigenous, MENA, and Multiracial.
COMMITMENT AND SCHEDULE

The success of CSL-I depends on the commitment that each participant makes to the program. If accepted, you must be completely free of professional duties during the scheduled in-person sessions and activities. Failure to attend a mandatory session will result in the participant’s removal from CSL-I.

PROGRAM COST & DETAILS

CSL-I is a member benefit for selected participants and all costs associated will be covered including meals; however, MCCA will not cover hotel or travel costs. Participants will be notified via email if they have been selected to participate in the 2025 program and will be provided additional information regarding logistics, meeting dates, agendas, etc.
APPLICATION SUPPLEMENTS

The following three documents are required to be submitted as part of the application. MCCA encourages you to complete them before starting the application.

Personal Statement - 50%
Your statement should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to CSL-I, why the program is a good fit for you, your future plans, your direct supervisor’s support of your application, and other information that would help the selection committee in evaluating your application.

Recommendation Letter - 45%
The recommendation letter should be from your immediate supervisor or manager that directly addresses your suitability for CSL-I, acknowledges the time commitment required to attend the program sessions, and their support of your participation in the program.

Employer Support Acknowledgment Form (Download the form) - 5%
This form indicates that your employer is aware of your interest in applying to CSL-I, acknowledges the time commitment required to attend the program sessions throughout the year, their support of your time-off and financial sponsorship to attend the program, and acknowledgement that MCCA will not reimburse these costs (specifically, hotel and travel costs).

DEADLINE

The application deadline is Friday February 28, 2025, at 11:59PM EST. Incomplete applications will not be considered and given the sheer volume of applications, MCCA cannot follow up with individuals to submit missing materials.
 
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