A message from Debbie Overstreet, ACP, NALA President, Board of Directors.

February DEI - World Day of Social Justice

Every February 20, the world celebrates World Day of Social Justice. As a national organization, NALA - The Paralegal Association is proud to join everyone in commemorating and celebrating this day. World Day of Social Justice is an important day for us all to reflect on our progress in achieving social justice and to recognize the work that still needs to be done. We must continue to strive for a society in which everyone is treated equally and with respect. On this day, we also celebrate all the progress we’ve made in promoting social justice. We recognize the work of those who have fought for social change, and we celebrate the victories we’ve achieved. We also celebrate the role of paralegals in promoting social justice, and we recognize their dedication to making sure that everyone has access to justice. To learn more about getting involved in social justice initiatives, read the article here.

Your Voice Matters
NALA has continued to grow and prosper simply because our members are involved and invested in the growth of the paralegal profession. NALA is a membership organization. This means that the individual voices of our members matter greatly.

On behalf of the Board, the Talent Acquisitions Committee extends an invitation to qualified members to get involved in your GREAT association. Serving on the Board is a rewarding, gratifying, and enjoyable way to be engaged in your association.

Submissions are due by March 15, 2023. Declare your candidacy today! Click here to learn how. 

NALA is celebrating Black History Month and honoring the many contributions African Americans have made to the legal profession and beyond. NALA is proud to recognize the impact and influence of Black legal professionals throughout history, as well as the current important role they play in crafting a more just and equitable legal system. It is our responsibility to ensure that everyone can participate in a diverse, inclusive, and equitable justice system, regardless of race or ethnicity. That is why NALA is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity within the legal profession. This month, we invite you to join us in celebrating Black History Month! Read our full article here: Celebrating Black History Month: NALA Honors the Importance of Black History in the Legal Profession.

NALA Volunteer Spotlight – Bridget Stuhr, 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 Bridget Stuhr, ACP. Please click here to read the February Volunteer Spotlight!

Certified Paralegal Exam Job Analysis Task Force Spotlight 

The NALA Certifying Board provides oversight for the development and ongoing maintenance of the Certified Paralegal Examination. The Certifying Board, NALA certification staff, and trained subject matter experts work in partnership with a qualified psychometric consultant to ensure the examination is developed and maintained in a manner consistent with generally accepted testing practices and utilizes best practices, according to national accreditation standards for certification programs. 

NALA conducts job analysis studies approximately every five to seven years to identify and validate the knowledge and skills measured by the examination. The results of the job analysis studies serve as the basis for exam specifications. NALA and the Certifying Board’s Job Analysis Task Force completed their most recent job analysis at the end of 2022, which has informed the new CP Exam specifications that will begin in 2024. 

This month, we are shining a well-deserved spotlight on the committee who made this possible.

Thank you to each of the following for their dedication to the paralegal profession:

The real estate law series you have been waiting for is here!

We are excited to announce our upcoming Live Webinar Series, starting February 15, giving you the perfect opportunity to refine your skills and knowledge about real estate law.

This comprehensive series covers all the fundamentals of how the law applies to real estate and includes topics such as contracts, deeds, liens, leases, easements, legal descriptions, surveys, title insurance coverage and claims, and communication difficulties.

For added convenience, each part can be attended live or purchased on-demand. Plus, there is a special bundle price of $200 for members and $320 for non-members if you purchase the entire six-part series at once!

Take advantage of these must-see webinars and join us in becoming a better-informed professional in the field of real estate law. To register for individual live webinars, go to our website. To take advantage of the special bundle rate for all six live webinars, click here!

NALA is excited to partner with the College of the Canyons in our mission to equip paralegals for the challenges of the future. Beginning on February 27, the College of the Canyons’ School of Personal & Professional Learning will offer two new online, instructor-led courses on preparing for the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) Exam. One course covers the Knowledge Exam, while the other covers the Skills Exam. These courses are a wonderful resource for anyone wanting to take the CP Exam.

The best part is that the courses are FREE to California residents. Non-California residents only pay $75. If you have internet access and a computer, you can take these online courses. The course covering the Knowledge Exam consists of one two-hour session a week for 10 weeks. The Skills Exam preparation course also has a weekly two-hour session but for eight weeks. Starting on March 4, they will also offer a two-hour Saturday session for 11 weeks. This is the perfect opportunity for high-quality, NALA-sanctioned CP Exam preparation. These courses will prepare you to do your best on the CP Exam as a phenomenal paralegal.

For more information and to register for the course, click here. 

If you would like to promote a community-based CP preparation course, please email nalanet.org. 

ATTENTION PARALEGALS!

Join us on February 22 for the latest AI live webinar from NALA, featuring Ronald J. Hedges and Cat Casey, who will examine how to use ChatGPT and the ethical considerations for legal professionals. Get ready to explore real-life scenarios and problems, plus get a list of helpful resources to further your studies! Don't miss out. Click here to learn more and register.

Important Update: The Ethics of AI live webinar was a sold-out show! 

Don't worry if you missed it. It's not too late. You can still get access to the on-demand webinar recording by clicking here.

NALA's incredible offer still stands. The on-demand webinar is free for NALA members, with a special rate of only $23 for non-members. You will earn 1.5 CLE Legal Ethics hours.

This on-demand webinar includes scenarios around problem solving the legal ethics of AI.

Cat Casey, an AI evangelist for the legal profession, interviewed Ron Hedges, an expert speaker on the ethics of AI. The interview covered a review of the standards for the implementation of AI, including practical considerations regarding security and accurate use.

This is a fantastic opportunity to knock out some required CLE hours while learning about an increasingly prevalent topic in the legal field.

NALA has a great lineup of webinars for February and March.

In addition to our highly-anticipated Real Estate Law and ChatGPT Live Webinars, NALA is offering webinars on patent law, love in law, communicating in a multigenerational workforce, and secondary trauma.

To register for these live webinars, visit our website. 

Available for Purchase
This bundle includes all conference sessions, which total 40.5 CLE hours, including five Legal Ethics CLE. Session materials include the recordings and the PDFs of all PowerPoint slides.

Click here to purchase the Conference Recording Bundle.

The purpose of the Student of the Year Award is to recognize outstanding achievements by a full-time student in good standing at any college, junior college, or other school pursuing a course of study as a paralegal.

Award Benefits Include:

• Recognition during Annual Membership Meeting at Conference
• Travel expenses paid by NALA – per diem (2 days), 1-night hotel, round-trip coach airfare, and Day 1 registration fee
• Certified Paralegal Exam Fundamentals Book
• CP Review Course Webinar Bundle

To learn more about eligibility and nominations, visit our website. 

The Founders' Award is given to recognize extraordinary or outstanding contributions to the growth and future of the paralegal profession that impacted or affected the paralegal profession in a positive manner for a significant period of time.

Award Benefits Include:

• Recognition during Annual Membership Meeting at Conference
• Travel expenses paid by NALA – per diem (2 days), 1-night hotel, round-trip coach airfare, and Day 1 registration fee

To learn more about nominations and eligibility, visit our website.

The President's Award is given in recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of NALA members and their contribution to the future of the paralegal profession.

Award Benefits Include:

• Recognition during Annual Membership Meeting at Conference
• Travel expenses paid by NALA – per diem (2 days), 1-night hotel, round-trip airfare, and Day 1 registration fee

For more information about award eligibility and how to nominate someone, visit our website.

NALA Certifying Board Announces New Certified Paralegal (CP) Exam Specifications, Effective 2024

The Certified Paralegal Exam is administered by NALA and is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NALA periodically updates and revises the content of the Exam through job analysis studies and research. NALA and the Certifying Board’s Job Analysis Task Force completed their most recent job analysis at the end of 2022, which has informed the new CP Exam specifications that will begin in 2024. Click the links below if you are interested in learning more about the new 2024 CP Exam specifications or to review the 2022 Job Analysis Study.

CERTIFIED PARALEGALS

Help is here! If you have been struggling to determine which CLE category to select when entering your CLE credits, check out the new CLE Classification List!

CERTIFIED PARALEGAL CANDIDATES

The Skills Exam testing window is now open until February 28, 2023! If you have passed the Knowledge Exam, paid the Skills Exam testing center fee, and are within your authorized testing period, schedule your appointment today!

"Don't Make Me Use My Paralegal Voice" T-shirt

Find it in the NALA store today!

This unisex short-sleeve t-shirt fits like a well-loved favorite. It's available in a classic dark gray in sizes small through 2XL. This shirt is the perfect addition to any paralegal's closet. Click here to purchase.

OTHER EXCLUSIVE MEMBER AFFINITY DISCOUNTS 

As a NALA member, you receive exclusive local and national discounts on hundreds of products and services.

To access these deals, go to the Affinity Discounts page on our website and log in.

Explore the Paralegal Profession with NALA

The goal of this discussion is to be a helpful resource in your decision-making process and in your pathway to becoming a stellar paralegal professional.

Paralegal students can access the NALA panel discussion recording on NALA's YouTube channel. This discussion focuses on starting your journey as a paralegal. Click here to view the panel discussion. Visit NALA's YouTube channel, where you will find an array of helpful videos.

NALA members are at the core of NALA’s success. Each quarter, we will honor those who have reached MILESTONE membership anniversaries with NALA.

To see who has reached five years, 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, and 25 years (Honorary Membership status) of continuous NALA membership, please click here.

Want to be a part of this special recognition? If you continue your NALA membership – without lapse – for the number of years mentioned above, you 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 longtime members who have been recognized this quarter. You are truly appreciated!