Member Newsletter
December 2019

NALA is the Nation's Leading Professional Association for Paralegals

Equipping paralegals for the challenges of the future through certification, professional development, and advocacy.

-NALA Mission Statement
Ensuring paralegals are known and valued as an integral part of the legal ecosystem.

-NALA Vision Statement
Association News



Vanessa Finley, MBA
NALA CEO
vfinley@nala.org
 
Meet NALA'S New CEO, Vanessa Finley, MBA
We are excited to announce that Vanessa Finley, MBA, has been hired as NALA’s chief executive officer. Vanessa officially began her employment with NALA at the end of November and has been very busy learning about NALA and the great services and benefits it provides to its members. Vanessa has been in nonprofit management and leadership for her entire career, spanning more than 25 years, including leading the Missouri State Microenterprise Association for nearly a decade and serving as an active board member of the National Association of Enterprise Opportunity. Vanessa is looking forward to serving the NALA membership and promoting the paralegal field across the country.
DepoSpan
AffiniPay
Membership
 
Introducing the All-NEW NALA Awards Program!
We are excited to announce the release of our newly developed NALA Awards Program! With several different award categories, including four brand new awards, there are many opportunities to recognize others for their hard work and dedication to the paralegal profession. The new awards include:
  • Certified Paralegal Champion Award
  • Student of the Year Award
  • Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Rising Star Award

To learn more about all the awards we offer and to how to nominate someone, please visit our website.

River  
New Membership Rates for 2020
As a member-led association, we are beyond appreciative of your constant support, dedication and understanding. We take great pride in being able to provide our members with valuable benefits, exceptional education and career-changing resources, all at affordable rates. However, in order to continue providing the best opportunities to our members, our membership rates will slightly increase starting January 1, 2020. We appreciate your understanding, and we want to thank you for continuing to help this association grow!
  
 
Save Money with an Organization Membership!
Have you heard about our new Organization Membership? This membership allows companies to offer all the benefits of a NALA membership to all eligible paralegals on their staff for one flat rate. With several different staff sizing options available, you can select the best fit for your entire organization. Learn more about upgrading to an Organization Membership.
Education
 
[Special Edition] Facts & Findings - Q1 January
+ Bonus: Career 101
The January issue of Facts & Findings includes a mini bonus issue. Career 101 focuses on a wide range of topics, including professional and career development, email etiquette, legal technology, qualities of a leader, public speaking and ways to handle stress. If you are seeking employment or trying to start a second career, the articles in this issue will provide you with information on what's important to an employer, career development and starting your second career. Keep an eye on your mailbox for this special edition and start the new year on a career advancing path!
 
Develop Your Leadership Skills
NALA believes it is important for paralegals to focus on their personal development. These courses provide paralegals with the opportunity to learn, grow and develop their personal leadership skills.
 
Earn Up to 43 Hours of CLE Credit!
Here's your chance to earn up to 43 hours of CLE! The 2019 NALA Conference recordings are available as on-demand webinars. Purchase the bundle at a discounted rate or purchase them individually. Learn more and check out all the available sessions on our website.
Upcoming Events
River
 
USP <800> Protecting Healthcare Workers Handling Hazardous Drugs
January 21   |   11 a.m. CT   |   CLE Hours: 1
This presentation focuses on new Standards of Practice for an old problem that has the potential for catastrophic harmful health effects from occupational exposure and the legal implications associated with failing to meet the requirements necessary to comply to the USP <800> standards of practice. Notably, this presentation is not focused on specific hazardous drugs but rather in providing the legal community with a background of a healthcare worker problem, new standards of practice to protect healthcare workers handling hazardous drugs and applicable resources for engaging in the battlefield of causation.
River
 
Using Certified Interpreters
January 23   |   12 p.m. CT   |   CLE Hours: 1   |   Non-Substantive
In this webinar, the following will be discussed:
  • Interpreter's role in a legal proceeding
  • Three types of court interpreting and the description of each
  • Interpreter's code of ethics
  • The lack of certification for each language and how they vary from state to state
  • "Diligent seach" and the most common type of certifications currently available
  • Different cultures and how to use them in a positive manner, dialects vs. accents
Attendees will be able to understand the difference between an interpreter and a translator and what makes a translation a "Certified Translation."
Naylor Association Solutions
Naylor Association Solutions
Certification News
River  
Top Three Reasons to Become a NALA CP
The NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) credential is key to respect and opportunity throughout the legal profession. Becoming a CP means that you have successfully passed a rigorous examination of the knowledge necessary to be an effective paralegal. Earning this credential is a proud achievement that comes with a career-long commitment.

Here are the top three reasons you should become a NALA CP:
1. CP credential has worldwide acceptance and recognition
2. Average salary increase of more than $4,000
3. Higher career placement and advancement opportunities

Learn more about becoming a CP!

We Want To Hear From You!

If you have any questions about the eligibility requirements or the status of your CP exam application, e-mail us at testing@nala.org. If you have questions regarding the status of your certification or your CLE entries, e-mail us at cle@nala.org!

Store
River  
NALA CP Exam Fundamentals - 2nd Edition
NALA’s Certified Paralegal Exam Fundamentals book is designed to provide the examinee with 300 pages of newly developed content covering all of the topic areas in NALA’s CP Exam. The book is written by attorneys, paralegals and paralegal educators who share their knowledge and skills with examinees to help them study for the exam. 

Book Rates:

$99 - Members
$119 - Nonmembers

 
[MORE SIZES BACK IN STOCK!]
"Phenomenal Paralegal" T-Shirt
Dress for success with our new super-soft, breathable “Phenomenal Paralegal” t-shirts. This Next Level shirt comes in a heather gray color with the NALA logo printed behind the neck. This comfortable, roomy top is the perfect addition to your fall wardrobe. These shirts are selling fast, so don't wait till the last minute!

$18.50 + Shipping

 
[NEW] Stainless Steel Coffee Tumbler
Stainless steel outer wall with a navy-blue PVC outer sleeve with white stitching. Tumbler has double-wall insulation, a stainless-steel lid with slide lock to help prevent spills and a no-slip bottom. Not microwave or dishwasher safe.

$20.00 + Shipping

Affinity Discounts

As a NALA member, you receive exclusive local and national discounts on hundreds of products and services. To access these deals, log in to your NALA account and then go to the Affinity Discount page on our website.