Professional Biographical Information:

Beth Shackleford Kirch brings a wealth of experience to her position as director of legal career services, having served in similar positions at two other Georgia law schools and a private law firm. She became a member of the University of Georgia School of Law's administrative team in 1995.

Kirch develops, implements and supervises all aspects of UGA's career planning programs and services, including informational programs for students, coordination of numerous off- and on-campus interviews, and career counseling for the student body. Her energy and creativity has generated a wealth of job resources for UGA law students, including new off-campus interview programs in New York and California, public interest interview programs, visiting career consultants and an international summer clerkship program.

She is nationally recognized as a leader in her field, having served on the board of directors of the National Association for Law Placement and on numerous NALP committees, including the Timing Guidelines Task Force, Public Service Committee and Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Transgender Committee. Kirch has chaired the Southeastern Law Placement Consortium, the Southeastern Minority Job Fair, Southeastern Public Interest Job Fair and the SciLaw National Legal Recruiting Conference. In 2006, Kirch was honored with the Association of American Law Schools' Kutulakis Student Services Award.

Kirch began her career in legal placement as a recruiting coordinator at the Atlanta law firm of Neely & Player in 1984. Three years later, she joined Emory University School of Law as its assistant director of career services. In 1988, she accepted the post of career planning and placement director at Georgia State University College of Law, where she remained until joining UGA.

Kirch earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Agnes Scott College and later received a certificate in mediation from The Settlement Institute in Atlanta, Ga.  Actively involved in the community, Kirch has served on several boards of nonprofit organizations.