The President's Pulse is the monthly update from NALA's Board President. In the January 2026 edition, Cheryl Nodarse, ACP, joins us from Madeira Beach, Florida, to thank the NALA community and wish everyone a successful year. Click below to watch.

January’s Volunteer Spotlight features Mahkia L. Clark, CP, a member of NALA's Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Mahkia is a paralegal in Missoula, Montana, and the NALA Liaison for the Montana Association of Legal Assistants*Paralegals. Here are two truths and a lie about Mahkia. Try to guess the lie, and check out her spotlight here to see if you are right.

• She passed the CP^® Exam on the first try.
• She has a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism.
• She is a member of the Paralegal Section of the State Bar of Montana.

As we kick off 2026, we want to take a moment to reflect on 2025. It was an exciting year for NALA, as we observed our 50th anniversary. Over 400 attendees joined us in Atlantic City in July for the 2025 NALA Conference & Expo, including nearly 200 guests at the 50th Anniversary Gala.

We hosted close to 50 live webinars, honored over 200 new Certified Paralegals (CPs), and welcomed almost 2,500 new members and five new NALA Affiliated Associations. We also recognized several milestone staff anniversaries: Vanessa Williamson (30 years), Mariah Williams (20 years), and Paula Van Straten (10 years).

Here are some other milestones from 2025:

• Hosted NALA’s first celebration of National Paralegal Day on August 6
• Staff got involved in the community by serving at local food banks and raising money to support students
• Went green by reducing NALA’s use of printed materials
• Switched to Prometric, a new testing provider for the Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Exam
• Released NALA’s 2024 National Utilization & Compensation Report, with the latest insights on pay, job responsibilities, and legal field trends
• Reimagined the NALA Commons networking platform and opened it to nonmembers

We eagerly anticipate what 2026 has in store for NALA and the paralegal profession. Together, we can grow and thrive.

January marks the beginning of a new professional year and an opportunity to set direction with intention. Rather than starting over, this moment invites reflection, preparation, and momentum. The year ahead is best approached with clarity about priorities, a willingness to engage, and a focus on building upon the work already in progress.

🧭 Preparing for What Lies Ahead

The legal landscape continued to evolve throughout 2025, reinforcing the importance of adaptability. Developments affecting workplace protections, technology use, and regulatory oversight influenced how legal teams operate and what is required of paralegals. Staying informed and organized remains essential as responsibilities expand and expectations shift.

📚Preparing Through Education & Resources

Professional readiness is strengthened through access to education and reliable tools. This month, we are highlighting two offerings:

• An extra $30 discount for members on 2026 conference registration before February 19th
• Preorders for the 4th edition of The Paralegal’s Companion

These options are designed to support confidence, competence, and long-term growth.

📣 Leadership & Recognition

Member involvement continues to play a vital role in shaping the profession. NALA’s commitment to fostering advancement and appreciation is reflected in:

• Awards: Rising Star and Volunteer of the Year nominations are due February 1.
• Board of Directors: Declarations of candidacy for open positions are due March 15.

Getting connected at every level helps ensure the profession remains strong, diverse, and forward-thinking.

🔭 Looking Ahead with Purpose

Setting the stage is about preparation, participation, and perspective. We encourage you to explore the updates shared throughout this newsletter and embrace the new year with confidence and an eagerness to contribute, grow, and lead.

Early Bird registration is open for the 2026 NALA Conference & Expo in Denver, Colorado, from July 16th through 18th. In addition to getting the discounted member rate, you can also save an additional $30 when you register to attend the full conference by February 19th. This is the lowest price available for members, so be sure to lock in this deal and register today. Paying with an installment plan? You can still get the extra savings if you complete your payments by February 19th.

Celebrate the new year with 26% off NALA’s live webinars through January 24th. Choose from 10+ expert-led CLE sessions to set the stage for growth, confidence, and success in 2026. Check out our offerings here and register today. Use code 26OFF2026 at checkout.

Note: The webinar does not have to take place by January 24th to qualify for the discount. It only has to be open for registration by the 24th. All available live sessions are eligible.

Celebrate excellence in the paralegal profession! Nominate an emerging leader for the Rising Star Award 💫 or honor a dedicated professional with 5+ years of service through the Volunteer of the Year Award. ✨

Nominees should demonstrate leadership, commitment, ethical conduct, and a dedication to promoting NALA within the legal community. If someone you know comes to mind, take a moment to acknowledge their impact.

📣 Nominations are due by February 1.

Paralegals play a vital role in the legal profession, and mastering key competencies is essential for delivering effective legal support and advancing your career. NALA’s Paralegal Core Competencies outline the combination of knowledge, skills, and attributes that help paralegals excel and adapt in a dynamic legal landscape.

⚖️ Foundational Legal Skills: Competence in legal principles, procedures, terminology, research, and analysis ensures accuracy and efficiency in everyday tasks, supporting both attorneys and clients.

🧠 Durable Professional Skills: Ethics, organization, critical thinking, technology proficiency, and effective communication enable paralegals to manage complex workloads, collaborate well with teams, and uphold high standards of conduct.

📈 Adaptability and Growth: Developing and refining these competencies positions paralegals for enhanced performance, increased value in the workplace, and long-term career success in an ever-evolving profession.

By understanding and building upon these core competencies, paralegals can strengthen their contributions to legal teams and continue thriving in demanding and rewarding roles. Explore NALA’s Paralegal Core Competencies here.

Preorder Now: The Paralegal's Companion 4th Edition

The 4th edition of The Paralegal’s Companion: Fundamentals for Legal Practitioners and Those Preparing for the CP^® Exam is coming soon, and preorders are open! This updated, expanded, essential resource provides a comprehensive overview of foundational legal topics. It is ideal for paralegals at every stage of their careers, with special consideration for anyone planning to take the Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Exam. As a NALA member, you get nearly 30% off! Reserve your copy today here.

Pregnancy discrimination is a form of sex discrimination that arises when women are treated unfairly because of pregnancy or related conditions. Over time, federal legislation has evolved to address these inequities, culminating most recently in the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) of 2022, which strengthens workplace protections by requiring reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related needs. Understanding this legal framework can help us support more equitable workplaces and ensure that all employees have equal opportunities to succeed. Click here to read the article.

Estimated Reading Time: 4.5 minutes

Are you interested in serving on NALA’s Board of Directors? We are accepting candidacy declarations until March 15. If you meet the qualifications to run, you must complete and submit the Declaration of Candidacy packet by the deadline to be considered.

Open Positions: Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Area Directors 1, 2, and 3
Qualifications: US citizen, Active type NALA member, NALA Certified Paralegal (CP^®)
More Details: Visit the Get Involved page on our website.

Serving on the Board is a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We look forward to welcoming a new wave of passionate and dedicated leaders.

In 2025, several procedural rulings underscored how closely courts continue to scrutinize case management practices, deadlines, and compliance with procedural rules. Federal courts reinforced expectations around timely filings, proper service, and adherence to scheduling orders, emphasizing that procedural missteps can carry significant consequences regardless of the merits of a case.

Courts also continued to apply proportionality standards in discovery, particularly in disputes involving electronically stored information. Decisions addressing preservation obligations and discovery scope stressed the importance of early organization, clear documentation, and ongoing communication between legal teams. In several instances, courts declined to excuse missed deadlines or incomplete disclosures, revealing that procedural diligence remains essential.

For paralegals, these rulings showcase the critical role of effective case management. Tracking deadlines, maintaining accurate records, managing discovery workflows, and ensuring compliance with court orders are central to supporting litigation strategy and minimizing risk. As procedural standards continue to evolve, attention to detail and proactive planning remain key components of successful legal practice.

This space is dedicated to celebrating our members’ achievements! Share your news or highlight a fellow member using our form. Submissions are due by the first of the month and are limited to the past six months.