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About NALA

"NALA leads the paralegal profession by providing a voluntary certification program, continuing legal education, and professional development programs for all paralegals."   NALA Mission Statement


This area is your introduction to NALA. It summarizes the major programs of NALA and describes the association's mission. In addition, this area also discusses the role of the NALA board of directors in leading the association, and provides links to directories of the NALA board members, and staff.  This is also your source for new membership information.

 


"The American legal system is vital to protecting the constitutional principles on which our Nation was founded. By contributing to our fair and equitable system of justice, paralegals help advance the ideals that make our country strong. The National Association of Legal Assistants improves the legal profession by providing educational development and promoting the discussion of opportunities and issues facing paralegals."
 -----President George W. Bush, in a letter to NALA dated July 12, 2005, on the occasion of NALA's 30th anniversary.


 

 

News & Upcoming Events
Florida Case Supports Paralegal Fee Awards as Attorney Fees

This opinion, released on June 28, considers an issue of first impression related to the award of paralegal fees in attorney fee awards.

More
Details about CP Exam Computer Based Testing Announced!

Beginning in September 2010, the Certified Paralegal exam will be offered via computer based testing to testing centers throughout the United States. NALA will be using the 200+ ACT testing center network of colleges and universities, and additional sites may be established in schools without ACT testing centers . . .

More
Special Membership Program for Employers

NALA has announced a program of offering discounts off annual membership dues to employers with multiple NALA members. Details may be found on the web site under "About NALA & Join" ...

More
LEAP Class of 2010 Article Released!

As part of NALA’s LEAP program, the 2010 class was assigned to write an article on “Leadership” for publication on the NALA Web Site. Read on to learn more and access the article

More
Need a product or service for your office?

The NALA Vendor Directory is a terrific place to start. This is a list of legal vendors offering a great range of help including deposition services, document services, and investigations. Click the link below...
More      

 
Click here for more news articles
 
NALA Board of Directors

Governance of NALA

NALA is first, and foremost a membership organization. This means that the individual members of NALA  are the leading force of NALA programs and policies. Through NALA, paralegals across the nation have come together to develop programs and standard setting codes to help them grow in the work place.

The board is composed of the NALA President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Certifying Board Chair, Advanced Paralegal Certification Board Chair, Continuing Education Council Chair, Professional Development Committee Chair, 9 Regional Directors, and the Affiliated Associations Director. Each of the officers and 9 directors are elected by the NALA members. Representatives of NALA affiliated associations, who are also NALA members, elect the affiliated associations director. (Only NALA members may determine the composition of the Board of Directors). The President is elected annually (in March) by the Board of Directors from among its members. The CP Certifying Board and Advanced Paralegal Certification Board Chairs, Continuing Education Council Chair, and Professional Development Chair are all appointed by the NALA president and the appointments are approved by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is the only body in NALA that is charged with focusing on the big picture of NALA - how it's doing and where association programs are moving.  The board is responsible for:

  • Defining association goals
  • Providing the means to accomplish the stated purposes of NALA as defined in the bylaws and member directives
  • Enhancing the value of NALA membership.

NALA 2010-2011 Board of Directors


President
Karen Greer McGee, ACP
Shreveport, Louisiana
kmcgee@la2nd.org
Advanced Paralegal Certification
Board Chair
Melissa A. Vander Weide, ACP
Orlando, FL
lvanderweide@broadandcassel.com
Region I Director
Janet Holmgren, CLA
Lafayette, New York
jholmgren@riehlmanshafer.com
Region VI Director
Melissa J. Hamilton, ACP
Bismarck, ND
mhamilton@nd.gov
First Vice President
Ann L. Atkinson, ACP
Omaha, NE
ann.atkinson@kutakrock.com
Certifying Board Chair
Karen L. Trumpower, ACP
Phoenix, AZ
ktrumpower@krplc.com
Region II Director
Debby J. Sawyer, CP
Raleigh, NC
debby_sawyer@nced.uscourts.gov

Region VII Director
Karin M. Scheehle, ACP
Phoenix, AZ
karin.scheehle@gknet.com

Second Vice President
Kelly A. LaGrave, ACP
Lansing, MI
klagrave@fosterswift.com
Continuing Education Council Chair
Christine E. Porter, ACP
Portland, OR
cporteracp@gmail.com
Region III Director
JoAnne Sorrentino, ACP
Boca Raton, FL
joanne.sorrentino@finra.org
Region VIII Director
Terry L. Halstead, ACP
Stevensville, MT
halsteadter@cs.com
Secretary
Cassandra Oliver, ACP
Tulsa, OK
cassandra.oliver@williams.com
Professional Development Committee
Annette R. Brown, ACP
Missoula, MT
annette@rmef.org
Region IV Director
Elizabeth H. Nellis, ACP
Jenks, OK
bnellis@sbcglobal.net

Region IX Director
Joan E. Wiley, ACP
Las Vegas, NV
jwiley@nevadafirm.com

Treasurer
Jill Francisco, ACP
Huntington, WV
jfrancisco@huddlestonbolen.com
Affiliated Associations Director
Debra L. Overstreet, ACP
Broken Arrow, OK
debra.overstreet@usace.army.mil
Region V Director
Julie D. Hunt, CP
Paducah, KY 42002-1246
juliehunt@saladinolaw.com