Ms. JD
Ms. JD is a U.S. nonprofit founded in 2006 that delivers free mentorship, scholarships, and leadership programs to women in law across middle school, pre-law, law school, early-career, and seasoned-professional career stages, supported by donations and law-firm sponsorships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersWalnut, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ms. JD does
Ms. JD is a U.S. nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 2006 and headquartered in Covina, California, that operates a stage-spanning portfolio of free programs and a free online community aimed at women in law from middle school through seasoned professional status. Its program stack includes Determined to Rise Academy (school-age, delivered in partnership with community organizations such as the Greater Washington Urban League), Pre-Law Foundations (self-guided course), the twice-yearly Application Accelerator conference, the Pre-Law Magazine, the Law Student Leadership Academy, the Breonna Taylor & Kenneth Walker Civil Rights and Public Interest Scholarships, the Ms. JD Fellowship (12 outstanding 3L leaders annually), the Writers in Residence blog program, the LaddHer Up retreat for early-career attorneys, and the Limitless Awards & Gala. Technology infrastructure is intentionally lightweight: a Mighty Networks–hosted online community at ms-jd.mn.co, a WordPress-class content site at ms-jd.org, a weekly newsletter, and Givecloud for donation processing — i.e., Ms. JD is a programs-and-community nonprofit rather than a software company.
The organization serves multiple horizontal customer segments — school-age students, pre-law students, law-school students (1L–3L), early-career women attorneys, and seasoned legal professionals — through free programming that requires no participant payment. Reported scale metrics include 1,200+ women served annually, presence across 92 U.S. campuses, and a 9-of-10 participant recommendation rate; community support is reported to include Am Law 100 firm leaders and in-house counsel at companies such as Looker, PetSmart, and Intel, plus alumni of Harvard, Yale, and NYU.
The business model is a classic 501(c)(3) nonprofit funding structure: contributed revenue from individual donations processed via Givecloud, sponsorship income from law firms and corporations (with named GTM-style partners including LateralLink, BARBRI, and Axinn, Velrop & Harkrider LLP), and a Leadership Circle program for higher-tier donors. Sponsors receive brand visibility in front of Ms. JD's audience of law students and attorneys in exchange for funding, but specific pricing tiers, donor counts, or sponsorship rates are not disclosed. There is no consumer-facing pricing, no headcount of paid staff beyond the 11–50 band, and no disclosed operating budget, financials, or signs of equity capital or external institutional investors. The Brianca Hurley (Program Director) role is the only identified leadership contact; board, executive director, and broader management composition are not surfaced in the source material.
Ms. JD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ms. JD
- Legal name
- Ms. JD
- Website
- https://ms-jd.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ms. JD is a U.S. nonprofit founded in 2006 that delivers free mentorship, scholarships, and leadership programs to women in law across middle school, pre-law, law school, early-career, and seasoned-professional career stages, supported by donations and law-firm sponsorships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ms. JD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Legal Professional Development (Nonprofit)
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Legal & Governance Professional Development (EDAGANAK)
Keywords
Where Ms. JD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Walnut
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ms. JD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Ms. JD is a nonprofit organization that relies on donor generosity to fund free and low-cost programs. The organization accepts donations through its Givecloud fundraising platform and offers a Leadership Circle for donors seeking greater impact.
- Sponsorship Revenue: Law firms, corporations, and other organizations can sponsor Ms. JD to demonstrate support for the next generation of legal professionals and gain brand visibility in front of law students, attorneys, and legal professionals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free community membership and all programs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Ms. JD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ms. JD is a national nonprofit that runs a portfolio of free programs and a free online community supporting women in law at every career stage—from middle school through seasoned professionals. Its offerings include the Determined to Rise Academy for school-age students, Pre-Law Foundations, the Application Accelerator conference, Pre-Law Magazine, the Law Student Leadership Academy, scholarships (Breonna Taylor & Kenneth Walker Civil Rights Scholarship and Public Interest Scholarship), the Ms. JD Fellowship, Writers in Residence, the LaddHer Up retreat, and the Limitless Awards & Gala.
Product overview
Ms. JD is a national nonprofit organization that helps women in law find community and opportunity at every career stage. The organization operates as a platform of free and accessible programs spanning five key stages: School-Age (Determined to Rise Academy), Pre-Law (Pre-Law Foundations, Application Accelerator, Pre-Law Magazine), Law School (Law Student Leadership Academy, Scholarships, Fellowship, Writers in Residence), Early Career (LaddHer Up, Writers in Residence), and Legacy & Leadership (Limitless Awards & Gala, Leadership Circle). These programs are complemented by a free online community platform connecting women across all career stages with mentorship, peer support, and professional development resources. The portfolio is unified by the mission of empowering women in law through mentorship, scholarships, leadership development, and community building.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LaddHer Up: A retreat and launchpad for early-career attorneys to connect with one another and learn from those who have climbed ahead.
- Determined to Rise Academy
Products and services
- Determined to Rise Academy A one-day law and leadership academy for middle school students, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, that introduces participants to the justice system and inspires future careers in law through workshops, mentorship, and engagement with legal professionals.
- Pre-Law Foundations A self-guided course covering every aspect of the path to a legal career, from deciding to apply to law school through preparing for the first day, featuring lessons from career coaches and industry experts for prospective law school applicants.
- Application Accelerator A free, twice-yearly 2-day conference providing a deep dive on the law school application process, covering LSAT preparation, personal statements, and admissions tips from professionals, for prospective law school applicants.
- Pre-Law Magazine A digital publication featuring articles and insights from real law students about what they wish they had known before their 1L year, balancing success with self-care, for prospective and incoming law students.
- Law Student Leadership Academy A 2-day leadership conference bringing together law students from around the country to develop professional skills through workshops, mentorship, and insights from attorneys and legal experts.
- Scholarships (Breonna Taylor & Kenneth Walker Civil Rights Scholarship / Public Interest Scholarship) Scholarships supporting law students pursuing summer internships in public interest careers, committed to justice and equity in the law, including the Breonna Taylor & Kenneth Walker Civil Rights Scholarship and the Public Interest Scholarship.
- Ms. JD Fellowship An annual program selecting 12 outstanding 3L leaders for a year of mentorship, leadership learning, and community building with like-minded women to accelerate career growth.
- Writers in Residence A program offering law students, attorneys, and legal professionals the opportunity to share their voice through the Ms. JD Blog, fostering a community of learning and growth.
- LaddHer Up A retreat and launchpad for early-career attorneys to connect with one another, build community, expand networks, and grow their careers through mentorship from experienced women.
- Limitless Awards & Gala An annual awards ceremony honoring law students, lawyers, and organizations who are advancing opportunities for women in law and paving the way for future generations.
- Ms. JD Online Community A free online network connecting women in law at every career stage with mentors, peers, and professional development resources from prestigious alma maters and Am Law 100 firms.
- Leadership Circle A donor and legacy program enabling supporters to make a lasting impact on women in law through sustained financial commitment and community building.
- Ms. JD Blog A blog featuring insights and stories by women in law, covering topics including Early Career, Law Student, Legal Career, and Pre-Law categories.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,200+ women served annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ms. JD
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Ms. JD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Ms. JD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL)coreThe Greater Washington Urban League partnered with Ms. JD to host a one-day law and leadership academy called Determined to Rise in Washington, D.C. The program aimed to inspire middle school students to consider future careers in law through workshops, mentorship, and engagement with legal professionals.
- Axinn, Velrop & Harkrider LLPcoreMs. JD partnered with Axinn, Velrop & Harkrider LLP for the 'Inspiring the Next Generation of Legal Leaders' program. Axinn opened its offices in New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco and Hartford to women law students who received career advice from the firm's attorneys. The groups wrote personal messages to middle school students who will participate in Ms. JD's Determined to Rise Academy.
- Law Firms and Corporations (Sponsors)minorLaw firms, corporations, and other organizations can sponsor Ms. JD to demonstrate support for the next generation of legal professionals and gain brand visibility in front of Ms. JD's audience of law students, attorneys, and legal professionals. Contact Program Director Brianca Hurley for partnership opportunities.
- LateralLinkminorLateralLink sponsors the Writers in Residence program, supporting law students, attorneys, and legal professionals who share their voice through the Ms. JD Blog. This fosters a community of learning and growth focused on the lived experiences of women in law.
- BARBRIminorMs. JD partners with BARBRI to share insights on the transition from law school to legal practice. BARBRI provides resources and expertise supporting law students preparing for the bar exam and professional practice.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ms. JD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL): The most established U.S. membership organization specifically advancing women in the legal profession through networking, leadership, and advocacy. Highly comparable mission and audience to Ms. JD, though NAWL skews more toward practicing attorneys.
- National Bar Association – Women Lawyers Division: Division of the National Bar Association focused on supporting women lawyers of color. Highly comparable community-and-professional-development model, though with a more specific racial-equity lens.
Broad incumbents
- American Bar Association – Commission on Women in the Profession: The ABA's flagship initiative to secure full and equal participation of women in the legal profession. Operates within the much larger ABA umbrella and addresses overlapping goals around gender equity, leadership, and retention.
- National Women's Law Center: Major nonprofit advancing gender equity through policy, litigation, and public education. Overlaps with Ms. JD's pipeline-and-equity mission but operates at a national advocacy scale rather than direct member programming.
- Hispanic National Bar Association: National bar association promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession with a focus on Hispanic attorneys. Comparable in serving underrepresented lawyers through mentorship, leadership, and pipeline programs.
Regional players
- Women's Bar Association of the State of New York: Long-standing state-level bar association advancing women in the legal profession through programming, mentorship, and advocacy. Comparable mission but geographically limited to New York.
- Black Women Lawyers Association of Chicago: Chicago-based nonprofit supporting Black women in the legal profession through mentorship, scholarship, and professional development. Comparable niche audience and programming model, though regional in scope.
Others
- Catalyst: Global nonprofit working to advance women in business and the workplace through research, employer support, and leadership programs. Comparable in mission to advance women's professional advancement, but focused more broadly on corporate/workplace outcomes than the legal profession specifically.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Ms. JD social profiles
Digital presenceMs. JD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ms. JD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ms. JD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ms. JD M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ms. JD
What does Ms. JD do?
Ms. JD is a national nonprofit that runs a portfolio of free programs and a free online community supporting women in law at every career stage—from middle school through seasoned professionals. Its offerings include the Determined to Rise Academy for school-age students, Pre-Law Foundations, the Application Accelerator conference, Pre-Law Magazine, the Law Student Leadership Academy, scholarships (Breonna Taylor & Kenneth Walker Civil Rights Scholarship and Public Interest Scholarship), the Ms. JD Fellowship, Writers in Residence, the LaddHer Up retreat, and the Limitless Awards & Gala.
Is Ms. JD a public or private company?
Ms. JD is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ms. JD founded?
Ms. JD was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ms. JD based?
Ms. JD is headquartered in Walnut, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ms. JD make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship Revenue.
Who are Ms. JD's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) and National Bar Association – Women Lawyers Division. Broad incumbents are American Bar Association – Commission on Women in the Profession, National Women's Law Center and Hispanic National Bar Association. Regional players are Women's Bar Association of the State of New York and Black Women Lawyers Association of Chicago. Catalyst is listed as an others.
Does Ms. JD have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ms. JD.
What industry is Ms. JD in?
Ms. JD's product category is Legal Professional Development (Nonprofit). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGANAK, Legal & Governance Professional Development. Its NAICS code is 813 and its SIC code is 8600.