Paralegal and Legal Assistants Associations Worldwide

We are involved in many areas of work affecting both paralegals (non-lawyers who do legal work, regardless of where they work, for whom they work or their job title), and legal support staff, such as legal secretaries.

We are an incorporated, wholly independent and not-for-profit professional body created to represent paralegals. The UK government granted us institute status in early 2005. Our application for institute status was supported by the Law Society of England & Wales, the Bar Council, the Crown Prosecution Service, Citizens Advice and others. Although we primarily represent paralegals in England and Wales, membership applications from other countries/jurisdictions are very welcome. We represent and assist: - Practising paralegals - People wanting to become paralegals - Employers and other organisations working with paralegals Our role is to: 1. Help you to develop your legal skills 2. Assist you in developing your career as a legal professional 3. Work with employers with paralegal staff 4. Promote professional recognition and respect for paralegals 5. Provide nationally recognised conduct and educational frameworks

Formed in 1993, the Scottish Paralegal Association is the only association formally recognised by the Law Society of Scotland as the body representing the interests and promoting the development of paralegals in Scotland. The Association holds among its membership paralegals who operate in a variety of roles within the legal profession assisting solicitors in many areas of law. The Association acts in the best interests of the members in representing their collective opinions and views.

The National Association of Licensed Paralegals, which was established in 1987, will re-enforce and constantly increase its position as the leading professional organisation catering for the Career Paralegal not only within the legal profession but also within commerce, industry and the private and public sectors and will strive to ensure the proper recognition of its Members as an integral part of the legal profession by the quality of its qualifications, professional development and the standards of behaviour and its regulatory powers laid down for its Members. It will encourage, promote and develop the role and practice of the Paralegal and represent the best interests of its Members.

Established in 1964, ACLEA is an international association. While our members are primarily from the United States and Canada, they also hail from Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and Mexico. Administrators, trainers, managers, educators, publishers, programmers and meeting professionals are all members of ACLEA. This diversity in background and outlook makes ACLEA the best source for information on CLE today.

The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) Annual Educational Conference and Exposition is recognized as the premier educational conference in the field of law firm management. It is designed to meet the needs and interests of legal managers, whether novice or seasoned, generalist or specialist. More than 1,400 administrators attend four days of educational programs featuring more than 140 courses. ALA’s Exposition is the only national show specifically targeting the legal administrator. More than 200 companies showcase the latest legal technology, products and services. Attending ALA’s Annual Educational Conference and Exposition is an opportunity legal administrators and vendors cannot afford to miss!

It was 1929 in Long Beach, California, and Eula Mae Jett along with several of her colleagues established a group that met and discussed topics affecting their careers as legal secretaries. The focus of these meetings shifted to education and the popularity grew. These meetings continued and the word of their success spread across the country. By 1949 chapters had developed similar groups and the National Association of Legal Secretaries was formed. NALS began to hold meetings not only on the local level but expanded to include state, regional, and even national meetings focusing on the legal services industry. This was the first time anything of this nature would take place.