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!

The President's Pulse is the monthly update from NALA's Board President. In the April 2025 edition, Cheryl Nodarse, ACP, joins us from the NALA Certifying Board meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In honor of Volunteer Month, she highlights the Certifying Board's mission and contributions. Click below to watch.

This month’s volunteer spotlight is Nita Serrano, ACP, a member of NALA’s Continuing Education Council (CEC) and Ambassador and Hospitality (A&H) Team. Click here to read her spotlight and learn more about her dedication to NALA and the paralegal profession.

Here are two truths and a lie about Nita. Guess the lie, and read her spotlight to see if you are right.

1. She has an ACP^® in Discovery.
2. She enjoys photography.
3. She is President of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc.

In honor of Earth Day, NALA is proud to announce a new eco-friendly initiative to reduce our use of printed materials. While we will continue to send welcome packets to new members and Certified Paralegals (CPs), we will no longer automatically send certificates to renewing members and recertifying CPs, effective April 22, 2025. If you would still like to receive a printed certificate upon renewal or recertification, you can request one through our website. Thank you for helping us support a greener future!

Since its inception in the 1960s, the paralegal profession has changed significantly. The efforts of organizations such as NALA and the American Bar Association (ABA) have led to the establishment of standards, certifications, and education for paralegals, providing legitimacy and structure to the profession. As a result, paralegals have transitioned from administrative workers to crucial professionals who handle substantive legal tasks under attorney supervision.

NALA exists to serve our members. Our advocacy efforts aim to enhance the visibility and utilization of paralegals. Incorporated in April 1975, NALA garnered over 1,200 members in less than a year. Under the guidance of nearly 30 presidents and three Chief Executive Officers, NALA has thrived as a valuable resource for paralegals. We offer continuing legal education (CLE), a nationally accredited certification, and networking opportunities. NALA has provided thousands of CLE hours, certified over 21,000 paralegals, and hosted 49 national conferences.

What is next for NALA? We will continue to advocate for the proper utilization and recognition of paralegals. As technology evolves, roles shift, and paralegals keep working to establish themselves as a vital asset to the legal ecosystem, NALA will work alongside you to offer support and encouragement on your journey. No matter where the future takes us, we are in this together.

If NALA were putting together a time capsule to open in 50 years, what would you want to include and why? Head over to Commons to share what you would add. We will kick it off with a few things we would put in:

• Conference shirts
• The Paralegal’s Companion book
• Copies of Facts & Findings

Do not miss out on the lowest registration price for the 2025 NALA Conference & Expo! Register by May 7 to lock in the best savings. This milestone event commemorates NALA’s 50th anniversary and offers unparalleled opportunities for professional development, networking, and fun.

✅ Save $70! 

✅ Earn up to 12.5 CLE hours!

✅ Get FREE access to the Conference 
      Recording Bundle with 42 CLE hours!

What is new for NALA in 2025? Get the scoop from guest Vanessa “Vinnie” Finley, MBA, CAE, the CEO of NALA since 2019. There is plenty of news about the upcoming NALA conference and new initiatives to help you be your best professional self. Click here to listen.

Do you have an eye for design and a passion for the paralegal profession? Submit your logo for the National Paralegal Day Logo Contest by April 30 for a chance to win a scholarship of at least $1,000! Everyone who enters can join NALA as a student member for only $5. We look forward to seeing your logos and selecting the one that best honors the crucial role and contributions of paralegals. To view the contest guidelines and submit your logo, click here.

Join us at 12 p.m. CT on April 22 for a FREE webinar on A Paralegal’s Introduction to European Intellectual Property Law. This engaging session is designed for junior intellectual property paralegals and newcomers to explore the fundamentals of trademarks, copyrights, patents, and more. Gain valuable insights into international filings, patent expansion, the new unitary patents, and the Unified Patent Court—all while enjoying some fun IP trivia! Spots are filling up, so register today! Can you not attend live? Preorder the on-demand webinar for FREE. Come find out how European IP law fits your US role.

This month, the DEI Committee is doing something a little different. Please enjoy this reprint of a 2022 article from the UCLA Law Review.

This Essay examines professionalism as a tool to subjugate people of color in the legal field. Professionalism is a standard with a set of beliefs about how one should operate in the workplace. While professionalism seemingly applies to everyone, it is used to widely police and regulate people of color in various ways including hair, tone, and food scents. Thus, it is not merely that there is a double standard in how professionalism applies: It is that the standard itself is based on a set of beliefs grounded in racial subordination and white supremacy. Through this analysis, professionalism is revealed to be a racial construct. Click here to read more.

We just opened preorders for our limited-edition 50th anniversary t-shirt! As a NALA member, you save 10%! This celebratory clothing commemorates 50 years of dedication to the paralegal profession, marking how far we have come and the exciting future that awaits. Join in celebrating our legacy when you preorder your shirt today. For only $21.60, shipping included, you can own a piece of NALA’s history.

Front design: Stylized 50 with starburst, NALA logo, ‘GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY’

Back design: FIFTY AND FABULOUS! 50 Years of Paralegal Pride 1975-2025

Keep your office stocked and running smoothly! From supplies to cleaning essentials, ODP Business Solutions has you covered with exclusive member savings. Do not miss out! Click here to save!

Enjoy exclusive savings with the NALA Avis and Budget Car Rental Savings Program! Save up to 25% with Pay Now, plus enjoy double upgrades and special offers. Benefit from complimentary Avis Preferred^® and Budget Fastbreak^® memberships to skip the counter at most airports. Choose "Pay Later" for flexible reservations with no cancellation fees. Stay safe with our CDC-compliant safety programs. Maximize your travel budget with this exclusive membership perk!

Book now with Budget using offer code R584780 and coupon UUWZ007.

Book now with Avis using offer code R584780 and coupon UUWA012.