2021 Conference @ Home - THANK YOU!
To say that the 2021 NALA Conference @ Home was a success would be an egregious understatement! With over 1,450 virtual attendees, we were blown away by the event’s record-breaking attendance. It was another year of successful education sessions with exceptional speakers. We hope you took advantage and enjoyed the increased networking opportunities. We also enjoyed your posts and pictures on the Facebook Social Center!
 
We could not have done this without you. Thank you for joining us on this virtual conference journey. We hope to see you in person next year July 14-16, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona!

Meet Your 2021-2022 NALA Board of Directors
Thank you to everyone who voted in the 2021 NALA Election!
Your 2021-2022 NALA Board of Directors:
Melissa J. Hamilton, ACP – President
Debra L. Overstreet, ACP – Vice President
Cheryl J. Nodarse, ACP – Secretary
Peonca S. Grier, CP – Treasurer
Richard Hahn, ACP – At Large Director
Cassie D. Snyder, ACP – At Large Director
Bridget M. Stuhr, ACP – Affiliated Associations Director
Dana G. Welcker, ACP – Area 1 Director
Angela A. Oberle, ACP – Area 2 Director
Vicki L. Kasper, ACP – Area 3 Director
Alicia Mitchell-Mercer, ACP – Continuing Education Council Chair
Melissa M. Klimpel, ACP – Professional Development Committee Chair
Lisa M. Stone, ACP – Certifying Board Chair
Vanessa Finley, MBA, CAE – Chief Executive Officer

Certified Paralegal Champion Award – Nominations Due September 1
Nominations for the Certified Paralegal Champion Award are being accepted!

The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding achievement by an individual or by a NALA Affiliated Association in promoting and advancing NALA's Certified Paralegal Program within the legal profession. Please note you do NOT need to be a CP nor a paralegal to receive this award. The award is given to those who promote and advocate for the CP Program.

Any Active type member of NALA or a NALA Affiliated Association who is in good standing may submit nominations for the Certified Paralegal Champion Award. The nomination form can be found on NALA’s website.

Nominees for the Certified Paralegal Champion Award must meet the following criteria: (1) Current member of NALA; (2) May be a Certified Paralegal, Advanced Certified Paralegal, non-paralegal, attorney, or educator (Current NALA Board of Directors, committee members, and current Certifying Board members are not eligible for the individual award.)

The deadline to submit nominations for the Certified Paralegal Champion Award is September 1, 2021.

NALA Affiliated Association News and Awards
Congratulations to the new NALA Affiliated Associations leadership team! Bridget M. Stuhr, ACP, is now serving as the NALA Affiliated Associations Director. Sharon D. Jones, ACP, is serving as the new NALA Affiliated Associations Secretary.
 
Several affiliates were recognized during the awards ceremony at the NALA Affiliated Associations Annual Meeting and Exchange Presentation during the 2021 NALA Conference @Home. The following affiliates earned a NALA Affiliate Award: Cassandra Oliver-Divens, ACP; Cassie D. Snyder, ACP; Holly A. Radke; Karen Y. Yearwood, ACP; Kathy E. Kabala, ACP; Kelly M. Crowe, ACP; LAPA’s School Liaison Committee; Laurie S. Vik, ACP; Leslie G. Arnold, ACP; Lorena Hughes; Melinda Killian; Montye B. Holmes, ACP; Nicole L. French; Olivia B. Curley; San Diego Paralegal Association (Programs & Education and Membership Committees); Sarah M. Robinson; Shirley J. Burgess; Stephanie Barth, CP; Tasha C. Dillard, CP; and Virginia F. Korcal, ACP.
 
Congratulations to all the Affiliate Award recipients!

We'd also like to welcome the Kentucky Madisonville Community College Paralegal Student Association as one of our new Affiliated Associations! 

NALA Awards Announced at Conference
Several NALA Awards were given to outstanding recipients during the Annual Membership Meeting and Awards Presentation at this year’s conference.
Congratulations to the following award recipients:
·      President’s Award: Jane D. McKinnon, CP
·      Founders’ Award: Mary Kubichek, JD
·      Student of the Year Award: Sarah Duggan
 
NALA introduced a brand-new award this year – the NALA Hall of Fame Award. The prestigious NALA Hall of Fame Award recognizes long-time NALA members who have served on the NALA Board of Directors and/or NALA Committees for their leadership, dedication and extraordinary contributions to NALA and its members.
Five outstanding paralegals received this year’s inaugural award:
·      Janie M. Boswell, ACP
·      Deborah Z. Elkins, ACP (awarded post-humously)
·      Dawnne L. Linenbrink, ACP
·      Kathleen H. Miller, ACP
·      Elizabeth H. Nellis, ACP

Call for Conference Speakers
It is hard to believe, but NALA is already working on our 2022 Conference & Expo! We are officially accepting proposals for conference session speakers. We recommend that you submit at least two proposals for full consideration. Conference proposals are due no later than 11:59 p.m. CT on August 31, 2021, to be considered for the 2022 Conference & Expo. You can find the form and more information about what is included in the application on our website by clicking here.
 
Please note, not all course materials needs to be set in stone and fully prepared before the initial submission deadline. We ask for the basics regarding your session submission, including an overview and learning objectives of your proposed courses.

August’s NALA Volunteer Spotlight – Jennifer M. Devine, ACP
In each monthly newsletter, an outstanding NALA volunteer is featured in the NALA Volunteer Spotlight. This spotlight includes the volunteer’s professional achievements and fun facts about them. We hope you enjoy this opportunity to get to know your fellow NALA members on a more personal level!
 
In this month’s spotlight, we would like to introduce you to Jennifer M. Devine, ACP, who has been a NALA member since 2014. Please click here to read August’s Volunteer Spotlight!

August DEI – Women’s Equality Day (August 26th)
In this month’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion article, NALA DEI Committee Chair Yolanda A. Garcia, CP, reflects on the hard-fought battle for women’s rights. She shares the remarkable journey leading up to August 26 becoming Women’s Equality Day.
 
To read the article “August – Women’s Equality Day,” please click here.
 
Also, we want to say congratulations to the DEI Committee, NALA’s newly ratified committee! The DEI Committee became an official permanent NALA standing committee due to the bylaw amendment passed in the 2021 NALA Election. We are excited to continue to partner with this wonderful group of people.

Legal Time Mastery
August 25  |  12 p.m. CT  |  CLE Hours: 1  |  NON-SUB
Paralegals are caseload managers, and their main job is to do just that – manage a caseload. However, how can you do this when you have so many other elements and obstacles in between? This webinar – engaging for all levels of experience – covers how to efficiently manage your caseload, tasks, colleagues, and clients by providing attainable goals, tips and strategies. 

Federal Black Lung Claims
August 31  |  12 p.m. CT  |  CLE Hours: 1
Cases pertaining to disability benefits for any specialty areas such as veterans, social security and retired coal miners can be complicated. This course covers the basic principles of evidence development, maximizing medical reports, and preparing the miner for depositions regarding their coal mine employment history, coal dust exposure, and the physical nature of their past employment. Proving clinical pneumoconiosis can sometimes be tricky, but this course provides alternate methods for successful pursuit of a claim. 

The Raw Truth about Job Searching, Interviewing, and Salary Negotiation
September 1  |  12 p.m. CT  |  CLE Hours: 1.5  |  NON-SUB
It is no secret that job searching and hiring has been affected by the pandemic. However, there is no need to feel discouraged. 

This webinar features best practices in interviewing and salary negotiation from a seasoned recruiting professional. Regardless of whether you are looking to work remotely, negotiating a higher salary, or trying to land a job at your dream firm, it is essential to be proactive. Use the skills learned from this webinar to exceed a prospective employer’s expectations.

Increase Capacity Without Adding People, Money, or Time
September 15  |  12 p.m. CT  |  CLE Hours: 1  |  NON-SUB
Learn the secret to creating more capacity with your current resources and doing more with less. This framework is applicable to any organization, big or small, hurting or not.

In this webinar, attendees will learn:
- Learn to do more with your current resources.
- Understand the five critical components to an efficient team.
- Learn five tools to help optimize performance.
- Assess where you currently are and how to improve.

 CP Examinees:

• Results for the July 2021 Skills Exam are scheduled to be released six to eight weeks after July 31. All examinees will be notified via email.

Certification:

• July CPs and ACPs! Don’t worry, we are still working on the Conference CLE data. Upon completion, we will add your CLE to your account for you to recertify.
  
  
• August certificants! Don’t let your CERTIFICATION and DIGITAL BADGE expire! Enter your CLE and submit the online Recertification Affidavit and fee or the PDF Recertification form to cle@nala.org before 8/31/2021!

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

Milestone Membership Anniversaries 
NALA members are at the core of NALA’s success. Each quarter, we honor those who have reached MILESTONE membership anniversaries with NALA. To see who, in the second quarter of 2021, reached 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, and 25 years (Honorary Membership status) of continuous NALA Active type membership, please click here.
 
Want to be a part of this special recognition? If Active type members continue NALA membership – without lapse – for the number of years mentioned above, they will be eligible to receive one of our complimentary, exclusive membership anniversary pins. Do not forget to stay up to date with your emails to ensure your NALA membership does not lapse!
 
Thank you to the long-time members who have been recognized this quarter. You are truly appreciated!