News Release
McGlinchey’s Jessica VanTroost named ALA International President-Elect
Read Time: 2 minsMcGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that Chief Strategy and Operations Officer Jessica VanTroost has been named 2026-2027 President-Elect of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA).
“We at McGlinchey have witnessed first-hand the energy and passion Jessica puts into work she believes in, and we congratulate her on being entrusted with this position by her peers,” said Michael Ferachi, Managing Member. “Jessica has been a champion for legal administrators within our firm and through the ALA for many years. I am confident that her vision and enthusiasm will serve the organization and its members well for many years to come.”
This appointment represents a three-year leadership term for Jessica, as she will serve as President Elect, President, and Immediate Past President of the organization from 2026-2029.
As Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, Jessica oversees legal support, recruiting, and HR, providing a unified approach to operational management. She has advanced through various administrative roles at McGlinchey since 2014, including Regional Administrator and Strategic Operations Administrator.
“It is my honor and privilege to give back to an organization that has given me so much by serving as its President.” Jessica said. “ALA taught me so much about the legal administrative profession and what our roles within the legal ecosphere can be. This work is not just a job – it is a profession with impact, purpose, and community. Being surrounded by forward-thinking, exceptional ALA leaders made me better and braver. It expanded what I thought was possible in my own life. And I want every member to feel that.”
An ALA member since 2008, Jessica has served on the international ALA board of directors since 2023, and in several other volunteer roles at the international level. She has also served as President of the Jacksonville ALA Chapter twice and received the President’s Circle Award from the Jacksonville chapter in 2020. Jessica is also a secondary member of 3 other ALA chapters in cities where she has managed offices, as well as the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
McGlinchey counts nine ALA members as employees, many of whom have served and are serving at local and national levels. Earlier this year, the ALA recognized three McGlinchey employees with honors and leadership roles, including:
- Amanda Hall, Human Resources Coordinator, was one of five members nationally honored with the ALA NextGen Leader Award, which recognizes emerging leaders for their innovative contributions and potential to shape the future of the legal administration profession.
- Regional Administrator Juleana Piper was selected to serve on the ALA Member Ambassador Committee, where she supports new and prospective members in building meaningful connections within the organization. Juleana received the national ALA NextGen Leader Award in 2024 and served as President of the Jacksonville ALA chapter in 2023-2024.
- Kristine Trahan, Senior Regional Administrator, resident in Dallas, has been appointed to the Level Up: ALA’s Legal Management Fundamentals 2025 Planning Project Team, where she helps shape programming to support early-career legal professionals.
The ALA was founded in 1971 to provide support to professionals involved in the management of law firms, corporate legal departments, and government legal agencies. Today the ALA has nearly 9,000 members across North America in roles spanning human resources and operations to strategy and finance. Learn more about the organization here.