Professor McAlpin is a past president of the Association of Legal Writing Directorsm (ALWD). She is currently the inaugural director of Oregon Law’s Academic Excellence Program. Her book, Beyond the First Draft: Editing Strategies for Powerful Legal Writing, helps law students and lawyers approach the often-difficult task of editing their own writing. She is a member of the ALWD Conference Site Committee and LWI Academic Support Committee. She recently served as a mentor for the 2021 ALWD Leadership Academy.