By Tom Jarvis
The New Hampshire Bar Association’s Leadership Academy is accepting applications for its upcoming Class of 2026. Now in its ninth class, the nine-month program is designed to foster leadership skills and support the professional growth of New Hampshire attorneys who have practiced for up to ten years. The program includes modules on leadership in the legal profession, interactive workshops, and mentorship opportunities with judges and legal professionals across sectors.
Founded in 2010 through the efforts of past NHBA presidents Richard Uchida and Jennifer Parent, the Leadership Academy was established to identify emerging leaders within the Bar, provide structured opportunities for skill development, and encourage long-term engagement with the Association.
Each year, the Academy offers participants a wide range of experiences, including direct access to leaders from the judiciary, private practice, government, and public interest organizations. For many graduates, the exposure has been transformative.
“The most valuable takeaway I got was that there are a number of different ways to be a leader,” says Jesse O’Neill, a recent graduate. “Leadership isn’t just a position or a role – it’s more of a mindset. The Leadership Academy opened my eyes to leadership possibilities.”
O’Neill, who came into the program from a criminal law background, describes how the connections he made helped him feel more integrated into the broader Bar.
“I was surprised at how quickly I started seeing names of people I met – not just from the modules but also my actual Leadership Academy classmates – pop up in my practice,” he says. “That’s really valuable.”
Several participants point to the opportunity to shadow members of the judiciary as a highlight of the experience.
“Just watching Judge [Paul] Barbadoro interact with his clerk – he was listening to her, engaging with her, considering and accepting what she said – was eye-opening,” O’Neill says. “It brought clarity that being a leader doesn’t mean you know everything – it doesn’t mean you stop listening to others.”
Nicole Forbes, who has been a co-chair of the Leadership Academy Steering Committee since she graduated from the program, echoes that.
“I really enjoyed shadowing the judge,” she says. “It was impactful to see how members of the bench serve as leaders not only in the courtroom but also behind the scenes with court staff and officers.”
Forbes also points to the Academy’s retreat as a standout moment.
“It was workshop-style and gave us a chance to learn leadership skills, practice them, and observe how others lead,” she says.
Devon Ayer, another recent graduate, says the program gave her insight into legal sectors she hadn’t previously considered.
“I’ve been in public interest for years, and I hadn’t really thought I’d be qualified to do other types of work,” she says. “But hearing from people in different fields made it feel more accessible, like if I wanted to shift one day, I could.”
Ayer also notes how the program helped her feel more comfortable in statewide Bar settings.
“I wasn’t necessarily looking to grow professionally, but I wanted to see what else the Bar had to offer,” she says. “I left the program feeling more familiar with the broader legal community. It was less intimidating.”
That sentiment is shared by Gar Chiang, who now serves on the NHBA Board of Governors as the out-of-state governor.
“Leadership Academy opened my eyes,” he says. “You learn what law school doesn’t teach you. I got so much out of it, and I encourage anybody to apply – even if you think you’re too old, like I thought I was.”
Chiang emphasizes that the program is more than just networking.
“The networking is only a small part of it,” he says. “It will launch you into so many spaces, positions, and opportunities. The benefits it brings are real. It’s an unbelievable opportunity.”
Those who are unsure whether they have time for the program may find Ayer’s experience reassuring.
“It was very manageable,” she says. “It was low stress and high reward. I feel like I got so much more out of it than I had to put in.”
O’Neill agrees: “It wasn’t even on my radar to apply. It was recommended to me within the firm, and I’m glad I took that recommendation. The time commitment wasn’t huge, but it had a big impact.”
Other past participants who are now leaders in the legal community have also praised the program for its long-term value.
“Any single module was worth the effort,” said NHBA Immediate Past President Kathleen Mahan in a previous interview. “Meeting the people alone was worth it. It was definitely something I not only learned a lot from, but that I really enjoyed.”
Judge Talesha Saint-Marc, who participated early in her career and now serves on the federal bench, describes the program as an important step for future leaders.
“The Leadership Academy helps you refine your leadership skills and really sharpen them,” she said in an earlier article. “It’s a great program for anyone who hasn’t yet had the opportunity to lead – it helps you learn how to present, negotiate, and collaborate.”
Forbes offers simple advice to anyone considering applying: “Do it. It’s a really valuable experience. The programming is strong, and it’s a great way to get more involved, meet new people, and build a foundation for future career growth.”
To apply for the Class of 2026 Leadership Academy, visit nhbar.org/nhba-leadership-academy.
