New Attorney Bootcamp – Law Institute 2025

Q&A with Megan Smyth, Director of Legal Education, NASPO

If you’ve ever stepped into the world of state procurement as a new attorney, you probably remember the feeling: excited, a little overwhelmed, and maybe even wondering, “Where do I start?” That’s exactly why NASPO created the Attorney Bootcamp. Held each year as part of NASPO’s Law Institute Conference, the Bootcamp brings together early-career attorneys and seasoned attorneys who are seeking an educational refresher for a day of learning, connection, and honest conversations about procurement law.

We sat down with Megan Smyth, NASPO’s Director of Legal Education, to talk about what makes the Attorney Bootcamp unique, who should attend, and how the program helps support procurement law leaders.

Q: Why does the Attorney Bootcamp exist?

Megan Smyth: One of NASPO’s core goals is to support the central procurement function in the states and that wouldn’t be possible without the attorneys who write the contracts, negotiate with the suppliers, and counsel the procurement officials on the legal requirements for procurement in that jurisdiction.

The Attorney Bootcamp was developed in 2022 by the attorneys within the procurement law community to help address the gap between what you learn in law school and what you need to know to be a practicing, government-contracting, attorney covering essential topics such as:

• Issue spotting in procurement
• Unique state procurement methods and requirements
• Managing attorney-client relationships in government
• Handling contract disputes, protests, and related challenges

Participants also earn 5–6 CLE hours, which adds opportunity for up to 15 CLE hours offered during the full Law Institute Conference. It’s a great way to learn, connect, and build a strong foundation for a career in procurement law.

Q: Who is the ideal attendee for the Attorney Bootcamp? What skills or knowledge can participants expect to gain?

Megan Smyth: We originally designed the Bootcamp for attorneys with 0–5 years of experience in government procurement and contracting. But over time, we noticed something encouraging—more seasoned attorneys were wanting to sign up too. They wanted a refresher, a chance to reconnect with the fundamentals, and an opportunity to learn alongside newer colleagues. Because of that, NASPO decided to open the Bootcamp to all attendees registered for the Law Institute on a first-come, first-served basis until filled, which varies from year to year.

Participants can expect to hear directly from their peers who understand the daily realities of government law contracting. Attorneys gain exposure to statutory language, practical examples, and helpful practice tips. After Bootcamp, the 50 participants join 100+ additional attorneys and Chief Procurement Officers for the Law Institute Conference, where everyone learns from one another and helps strengthen the procurement law community.

Q: How does the Attorney Bootcamp help state attorneys build the skills and confidence to handle real-world challenges about procurement and contracting? What makes this program different from other legal trainings they might attend?

Megan Smyth: Procurement law is a niche field, and many attorneys don’t have regular opportunities to engage with peers who do what they do. What sets NASPO’s approach apart is the atmosphere we aspire to create every year. This isn’t just another conference or classroom experience. For some attendees, this is their first CLE dedicated to the area of law in which they practice. Our goal is to foster an environment that is welcoming, engaging, and community-driven, where attorneys feel comfortable asking questions, sharing experiences, and learning from one another. The Bootcamp and Law Institute create space for attorneys to create genuine connections through:

• Building a strong, lasting professional network
• Sharing real challenges and successes with peers who “get it”
• Joining interactive roundtables where open discussion is encouraged
• Taking part in practical skill-building sessions designed for their day-to-day work
• Exploring the host city together through curated social events

Q: What are some key takeaways from the 2025 Attorney Bootcamp?

Megan Smyth: Each year the Attorney Bootcamp continues to create a space for new and emerging state attorneys to build confidence, connect with peers, and gain real-world tools to tackle the legal challenges unique to public procurement. Here are some of the standout lessons from the 2025 Attorney Bootcamp. Whether you joined us or are just curious about what you missed, these key takeaways highlight what participants found most valuable this year.

What Attendees Took Away:

• You are not alone. Across the country, other procurement attorneys are doing similar work—ready to share advice, insight, and support.
• You will build a strong foundation. Bootcamp covers the essential building blocks of procurement law, preparing attendees for the deeper content explored during the Law Institute Conference.
• NASPO is a year-round resource. Legal Education programming, professional networks, and additional training opportunities continue long after Bootcamp and Law Institute end.

Looking Ahead

Every year the Attorney Bootcamp demonstrates how energizing it can be when attorneys from across the country come together to learn and grow. One attendee from 2025 stated, “The Attorney Bootcamp was excellent! It provided an overview for procurement in an interactive environment.” Our hope is that the conversations, insights, and connections made during the Bootcamp and Law Institute Conference continue to shape how participants approach their work long after they return home. Each year builds on the last, and the enthusiasm from 2025 shows that the procurement law community is more engaged year after year.

If you’re interested in attending the 2026 Law Institute Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah or participating in next year’s Attorney Bootcamp, keep an eye on NASPO announcements and talk with your organization about attending.

Questions?

Visit the Legal Education section on the NASPO website, or reach out to Megan Smyth, Director of Legal Education, for more information about the Law Institute, the Attorney Bootcamp, or any of NASPO’s legal resources and tools.