Accurate Serve®
Member Newsletter
June 2024

NALA is the Nation's Leading Professional Association for Paralegals

Equipping paralegals for the challenges of the future through certification, professional development, and advocacy.

-NALA Mission Statement
Ensuring paralegals are known and valued as an integral part of the legal ecosystem.

-NALA Vision Statement
Wellness Edition

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Conference is just around the corner! Be sure to register before the standard rate ends on June 21st. Hank the horse from our 2024 charity, For Hank's Sake, will be visiting us in Louisville. Get your ticket to the Louisville Bats game on the last evening of conference to watch NALA's CEO throw out the first pitch with the incoming and outgoing presidents by her side. Get in the conference spirit by participating in the upcoming Derby Hat contest in the conference Facebook group. NALA's Utilization & Compensation survey opens next month, and we want to hear from you. For more details about these exciting updates, click below to watch the final installment of Deb's Details. 

NALA Volunteer Spotlight – Deana Lively, ACP, CKP, MJA

This month’s spotlighted NALA volunteer is Deana Lively, ACP, CKP, MJA, who serves on NALA's Ambassador & Hospitality Team.

Here are two truths and a lie about Deana:

  1. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky.
  2. She will be attending conference for the first time this year.
  3. She is a graduate of NALA’s LEAD Program.

Can you guess the lie? To find out, click here to read the June Volunteer Spotlight!

We greatly appreciate the generous support of our sponsors for the 2024 NALA Conference & Expo. Their contributions have been invaluable in preparing for an extraordinary conference. We are immensely grateful for their partnership, which enables us to provide you with an exceptional opportunity for professional development. We are also grateful for our incredible exhibitors, who are dedicated to enhancing your conference experience through their many legal support offerings. They will be eagerly awaiting you in the Expo Hall, where you can explore their services and get some free swag. Our sponsors and exhibitors are all committed to the legal industry, offering a range of services to meet your needs. You can learn more about them on our website.

If you are not yet registered for the 2024 NALA Conference & Expo, it is not too late! Our amazing sponsors and exhibitors contribute to the exceptional experience that awaits you in Louisville in July. You can attend in-person, virtually, or with a single-day pass. There are options for everyone! Choose the way that works best for you and register today!

Attention all paralegals and legal practitioners! On July 11th, NALA will open our National Utilization and Compensation Survey: A Comprehensive Overview of Responsibilities, Wages, and Billing within the Paralegal Profession. Seize the opportunity to contribute to a comprehensive study that shapes the future of the paralegal profession. Watch for the NALA notice in your inbox and on our social media channels. Your input is valuable, and we need your voice to ensure the data accurately reflects the needs and realities of the profession. When the survey opens, please share the link with your fellow paralegals and other legal practitioners. There is power in numbers and, together, we can make a significant impact. We are excited for your participation and support! 

 

Calling all legal practitioners! Would you like to share your expertise as a speaker at the largest paralegal gathering in the nation? The 2025 NALA Conference & Expo will be in Atlantic City, NJ, July 10-12. The 2025 conference is extra special since NALA will be celebrating our 50th anniversary! Showcase your knowledge and contribute to the professional development of the paralegal community at this iconic milestone event. You can submit session proposals for the 2025 conference through September 1, 2024. Let your experience and training enhance the educational opportunities at conference. In addition to shaping minds and furthering the legal profession, there is the added benefit of having your conference registration and travel costs completely covered, with a sensible per diem thrown in! Don’t miss out on your chance to shine at NALA’s 2025 50th anniversary conference. Learn more and submit your proposal here.

 
   

NALA has a special resource for paralegals! The Paralegal Resource Directory provides you with top-notch legal support services. Being a paralegal is no easy feat, but with this directory at your disposal, your job can become easier. Whether you are looking for a process server or litigation support, you will find it all in NALA's Paralegal Resource Directory. Do not wait any longer to check it out here and see how it can save you valuable time and energy!

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In recognition of Pride Month, NALA’s DEI Committee has prepared some straightforward guidance on how to be a good advocate for your transgender clients. As paralegals, we play a vital role in supporting and advocating for transgender clients. It is essential that we approach our work with sensitivity, ensuring we do not re-traumatize our clients, who have likely faced discrimination and challenges in other personal and professional settings. By following these tips, we can be effective allies and create a safe and empowering environment for transgender clients. To read the full article, click here.

 
   

Embrace the power of science in advocating for your clients! This webinar on June 25th will show you how physics, chemistry, and math can help you evaluate the mechanisms and extent of traumatic injury. It will also cover the important concepts of comparative and contributory negligence. Tune in to discover how becoming familiar with scientific processes can help you advocate for your client. Register for the live webinar here.

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Excitement is in the air as we gear up for a memorable evening at the Louisville Bats vs St. Paul Saints baseball game during the NALA Conference & Expo! We are thrilled to invite you to be a part of this special event on Saturday, July 13th, at 7:15 p.m. ET. 

Why Attend? 

  • It's Wined-Up Saturday! Enjoy $4 wine pours, cocktails, and slushies.  
  • Enjoy $4 craft beer from a local brewery. 
  • Enjoy a spectacular post-game fireworks show. 
  • Walk to the stadium in style with your fellow NALA members, showcasing our unity and pride. 
  • Sit together in a designated NALA area with discounted tickets. 
  • NALA’s CEO, Vinnie Finley, will throw out the first pitch with incoming and outgoing presidents, Cheryl Nodarse, ACP, and Debbie Overstreet, ACP, by her side. 

Click here to learn more and get your ticket! 

 
   

We have an exciting addition to your conference experience: a virtual Derby Hat Contest! The contest will take place in the conference Facebook group before the conference, and winners will be announced at the Affiliate Showcase and on Facebook. The contest will be open to all attendees and judged by the Ambassador & Hospitality Team. To participate, you have to join the 2024 NALA Conference & Expo Facebook group. Photo submissions in the group will be accepted only during the week prior to conference, so you still have time to pick out, or make, the perfect hat! The judges will choose three in-person winners and three virtual winners, who will all receive a special prize! We are excited to see your crazy, fun, stylish, over-the-top hats next month! 

 
   

The party starts on Wednesday, so prepare to arrive early! Book your flight to get in by Wednesday afternoon, and join us for pre-conference registration and Happy Hour on Wednesday, July 10th. You will be greeted with a complimentary drink voucher for Happy Hour, happening from 4-6 p.m. ET. Join us on the second level, complete your check-in, grab your swag bag and drink voucher, and kick off the conference in style! This Happy Hour is generously sponsored by Wolters Kluwer, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to your networking experience. Do not pass up this fantastic chance to jumpstart your connections.

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We are thrilled to announce a monumental achievement! Thanks to the unwavering hard work, commitment, and dedication of our incredible Certifying Board and our Certification Manager, Melody Drew, the Certified Paralegal Program has been reaccredited for another five-year period by the prestigious National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA)!

This is no ordinary feat – the CP® Program continues to stand out as the ONLY paralegal certification program to earn this esteemed accreditation, setting a gold standard in our field and distinguishing us from the rest! Join us in celebrating this remarkable accomplishment and the bright future it heralds for the paralegal community!

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Unleash your pet’s style with NALA’s limited-edition bandana! Designed with love, this bandana is not only a fashion statement but also a symbol of your support for a great cause. All proceeds will be donated to the Tulsa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), helping animals in need find loving homes and receive the care they deserve.

For just $15, including shipping, you can order this pawsome bandana here. Quantities are limited. Do not miss this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of animals while treating your pet to a stylish accessory. Order now to join NALA in supporting the Tulsa SPCA!

NALA members save on print & copy this June with ODP Business Solutions. Black & white copies start at 4¢ and color copies start at 24¢. Click here to place your order.

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.

Voting is now open for the 2024 NALA Board of Directors election. Active type members received an email with the link to vote. Voting will close at 5 p.m. CT on July 8th. For your vote to count, you must confirm it after submitting it.

If you would like to learn more about the candidates before you vote, you can visit our website. Simply scroll down to 2024-2025 Board of Director Candidates and click on Learn More below each candidate’s picture to read their biography, which includes three values they believe they demonstrate as a leader, and find a link to their candidate video. You can also watch the Virtual Candidate Forum from June 11th here.

Your voice matters, so make sure you are heard by casting your vote. Election results will be announced during the Annual Membership Meeting at the 2024 NALA Conference & Expo on July 11th.

Voting is open for the 2024 Affiliated Associations Secretary election. AA designated voters, you have until 5 p.m. CT on June 30th to cast your vote. You can vote by clicking the link in the invitation email from June 3rd. You should have received an email on May 15th with candidate information to help you make an informed decision. For your vote to count, you must confirm it after submitting it. The results of the election will be announced at the AA Annual Meeting and Awards during the 2024 NALA Conference & Expo on July 11th.

Did you receive an email, postcard, or phone call from Publishing Concepts asking you to verify your NALA account information? NALA is partnering with PCI (Publishing Concepts) to create an Oral History Project in honor of our upcoming 50-year anniversary in 2025. PCI will collect our members’ stories and clean them up for publication. A select number of stories will be included in a physical book, while every story will be included in a digital book. Both versions will be available to purchase during the interview process. More than 3,000 members have participated so far! While we hope you choose to share your story, participation is completely voluntary. No purchase is required to participate. To learn more about the Oral History Project, click here.