50 YEARS OF NALA
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
NALA is thrilled to be celebrating our 50th anniversary! In April 1975, NALA was formed as the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., an offshoot of the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). From day one, we have been a member-driven organization, committed to equipping paralegals for the challenges of the future through certification, professional development, and advocacy.
NALA’s first conference, a joint venture with NALS, took place just months after our founding, in July 1975 in Portland, Oregon. We have hosted a conference every year since, even going virtual in 2020 and 2021. In 1976, we launched our certification program. Originally known as the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) Exam, the first round of testing produced the inaugural 42 CLAs. Since then, over 21,000 paralegals have been certified through NALA. We invite you to join us throughout 2025 as we honor our rich history and look ahead to the future of NALA and the paralegal profession. Here is to the next 50 years!
