If you work in a law office as a clerk, receptionist, secretary, administrative assistant, legal assistant, or a paralegal, here's a resource you might not be aware of.
The National Association for Legal Professionals (NALS) was created in 1929 -- over 80 years ago. More than half of their members are legal assistants and paralegals but their membership consists of people who are employed in all areas of the legal support profession.
NALS provides opportunities for their members to improve performance and gain knowledge by offering continuing legal education. They are a resource for networking with peers and provide members with quality publications.
What is a legal assistant/paralegal? The National Association for Legal Professionals adopted the American Bar Association's definition as, "a legal assistant/paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible."
The National Association for Legal Professionals offers certification at three levels. The first level is an Accredited Legal Secretary (ALS), which entails an entry-level exam for support staff. The four-hour exam tests on written communications, office procedures, legal knowledge, and ethics.
The second level offered is a Professional Legal Secretary (PLS), which is an advanced certification for legal professionals showing a mastery of skills. The exam covers written communications, office procedures, technology, ethics, and legal knowledge and skills.
The third level is a Professional Paralegal (PP), which is a certification of paralegals who wish to be identified as exceptional in all areas of law. The exam covers written communications, legal knowledge and skills, ethics and substantive law.
NALS has been certifying individuals since 1960 -- longer than any other legal support professional association. They offer outstanding educational programs and services to meet the needs of the paralegal, the legal assistant, the legal secretary and other legal support positions.
The National Association of Legal Professionals is a three-prong organization functioning through the national office, through state associations, and through local chapters.
Want more information? Here are the links for the national association website, the state association, and local chapters in Missouri.
The National Association for Legal Professionals
Kansas City Legal Secretaries Association
Springfield Area Legal Support Professionals
