Benefits of NALS Membership
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Opportunities for professional and personal development abound when you join NALS. NALS is a multi-level organization composed of NALS, state associations, and local chapters, with each offering top-notch professional growth through monthly seminars, quality publications, and networking. NALS offers several regional and national conferences each year with outstanding education and excellent speakers from around the country. NALS of Arizona offers two annual educational conferences, hosted by local chapters, and held throughout the state in both the winter and spring.
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By joining NALS you have the opportunity to attend local chapter meetings, where quality legal education is offered every month. You can attend state association meetings, where you will be exposed to some of the top legal experts in your state. At the National conferences, speakers from across the country address issues of national importance, enlightening NALS members with a national perspective.
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NALS also supports members and chapters by providing other benefits, including:
States & Chapters
NALS is structured so that you will have a support system on every level by being a part of your local chapter, the state association and the national association you will be connected to legal professionals across the country. NALS of Tucson & So. AZ is affiliated statewide with NALS of Arizona, and with sister local chapters, NALS of Phoenix and NALS of Yavapai County. Click here to find a chapter near you.
NALS Code of Ethics & Professional Responsibility
The NALS Code of Ethics & Professional Responsibility gives you credibility in the legal industry by showing your adherence to a strict set of professional guidelines. This adherence shows your dedication to the industry and your career as a legal professional.
Affinity Programs
Through outside sources NALS is able to bring members many services that otherwise might be substantially more expensive.
Click here to access more information and learn about current NALS affinity partnerships.
Click here to access more information and learn about current NALS affinity partnerships.
Education & Professional Development Training
By offering several ways for you to gain the needed continuing legal education for you to advance in your career, NALS gives you options in your learning. Just a few of the convenient methods NALS delivers educational opportunities are:
CLE After Hours- NALS of Tucson & So. AZ offers monthly educational seminars ranging with a wide range of topics.
Legal Training Course - The NALS Legal Training Courses are offered locally by states and chapters and Online through a partnership with Stetson University. These courses can prepare you for a career in the legal profession and are a great way to prepare for certification.
Online Learning Center – This online chat room offers a mechanism for conversation about select topics with moderators that have prepared materials for you to learn more about topics ranging from substantive law to ethics and even more information about NALS. This complimentary feature for members is a great way to get to know more members while discussing topics that are meaningful to you.
NALS WebEd – The latest and greatest form of online education from NALS are these multimedia webinars presented by experts in the area. WebEd sessions cost $35 for members and $50 for non members and offer attendees the best online educational experience.
Legal Training Course - The NALS Legal Training Courses are offered locally by states and chapters and Online through a partnership with Stetson University. These courses can prepare you for a career in the legal profession and are a great way to prepare for certification.
Online Learning Center – This online chat room offers a mechanism for conversation about select topics with moderators that have prepared materials for you to learn more about topics ranging from substantive law to ethics and even more information about NALS. This complimentary feature for members is a great way to get to know more members while discussing topics that are meaningful to you.
NALS WebEd – The latest and greatest form of online education from NALS are these multimedia webinars presented by experts in the area. WebEd sessions cost $35 for members and $50 for non members and offer attendees the best online educational experience.
Certifications
NALS certifications are recognized by the American Bar Association. (Click here for more information about ABA recognized certifications and approved education programs.) With three levels of certification NALS offers something for everyone and if you are just starting your career we offer you ways to prove yourself as you advance and gain experience.
Accredited Legal Secretary (ALS)– The ALS certification is for beginners in the legal industry and helps you to prove your capabilities. This is a four-hour, three-part exam covering written communications, office procedures and legal knowledge, and ethics.
Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) – The PLS certification is an advanced certification for legal professionals showing a mastery of skills. This is a four-part exam covering written communications, office procedures and technology, ethics, and legal knowledge and skills.
Professional Paralegal (PP) – Are you looking for a way to establish your credentials nationwide as a Professional Paralegal? Established in 2004 at our members’ request, the Certified PP designation is an attainable goal for paralegals who wish to be identified as exceptional in all areas of law. The certificate is received after passing a one-day, four-part examination. This exam covers written communications, legal knowledge and skills, ethics, and substantive law.
Online Study Group – NALS members are offered a free online study group to help them prepare for any of the three NALS certifications.
Professional Legal Secretary (PLS) – The PLS certification is an advanced certification for legal professionals showing a mastery of skills. This is a four-part exam covering written communications, office procedures and technology, ethics, and legal knowledge and skills.
Professional Paralegal (PP) – Are you looking for a way to establish your credentials nationwide as a Professional Paralegal? Established in 2004 at our members’ request, the Certified PP designation is an attainable goal for paralegals who wish to be identified as exceptional in all areas of law. The certificate is received after passing a one-day, four-part examination. This exam covers written communications, legal knowledge and skills, ethics, and substantive law.
Online Study Group – NALS members are offered a free online study group to help them prepare for any of the three NALS certifications.
Communications
NALS is on the cutting edge of technology by providing information to you in the ways you want to receive it. Whether it is a print publication, digital newsletter, email alerts, or even through social media, NALS will keep you up to date on what is going on in the association and the industry.
@Law – The NALS magazine for legal professionals is sent to members four times per year and includes expert written articles on all areas of law as well as specific topics of interest to members. This is a top-notch publication that NALS members can be proud of while learning from the content and anticipating the next issue.
the NALSdocket- A new feature for members is this digital newsletter that includes e-Learn (a trend update), Leading the Way (information from NALS committees), Blogworthy (information on what the blogging world is talking about), ReTweet (the chatter on Twitter), member spotlights, news from the president and executive director and more information from NALS.
The LegaLetter - NALS of Tucson & So. AZ publishes a monthly newsletter complete with local association and legal community news. Keep up to date and in the know, with an informational publication that is sure to be shared throughout your office.
e-News – This is the electronic newsletter from NALS. e-News is sent to member inboxes each week with reminders and information on ways you can utilize your membership. These are also great deadline reminders so you do not miss any opportunities! Your local and state chapters also send out their own monthly eNews emails to keep you in the loop of what's happening closer to home.
insideNALS – The official NALS blog features posts from NALS officers and NALS staff and will also show the latest posts made to the NALS website, including press releases and industry news, and article content that is also featured in @Law and the NALSdocket.
NALS Online – NALS has a widespread online community keeping in touch with members and letting the world know what we are doing. Our presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and through our own online social network, the NALS Community, gives you the opportunity to stay in touch the way you are comfortable.
the NALSdocket- A new feature for members is this digital newsletter that includes e-Learn (a trend update), Leading the Way (information from NALS committees), Blogworthy (information on what the blogging world is talking about), ReTweet (the chatter on Twitter), member spotlights, news from the president and executive director and more information from NALS.
The LegaLetter - NALS of Tucson & So. AZ publishes a monthly newsletter complete with local association and legal community news. Keep up to date and in the know, with an informational publication that is sure to be shared throughout your office.
e-News – This is the electronic newsletter from NALS. e-News is sent to member inboxes each week with reminders and information on ways you can utilize your membership. These are also great deadline reminders so you do not miss any opportunities! Your local and state chapters also send out their own monthly eNews emails to keep you in the loop of what's happening closer to home.
insideNALS – The official NALS blog features posts from NALS officers and NALS staff and will also show the latest posts made to the NALS website, including press releases and industry news, and article content that is also featured in @Law and the NALSdocket.
NALS Online – NALS has a widespread online community keeping in touch with members and letting the world know what we are doing. Our presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and through our own online social network, the NALS Community, gives you the opportunity to stay in touch the way you are comfortable.
Conferences
We all still like to meet in person, and NALS conferences are well known for offering great education while creating a fun environment for you to enjoy your time away from the office. With two state seasonal conferences, an annual regional conference, and two national conferences, we hope that you can make the most out of your membership and attend a NALS conference. Participation is also available to non-members and students. So, click here to find out what's going on in the state, in the region, and in the nation.
NALS Education Conference & National Forum – The crown jewel of NALS conferences, this gathering features three days of education and networking opportunities at different destinations each year. Held in October, this conference changes locations around the country so keep any eye out as it may be headed your way soon!
Professional Development & Education Conference – NALS gathers each March in Tulsa, Oklahoma (the home of the NALS Resource Center), to provide members with the leadership knowledge and skills it takes to successfully operate a local or state chapter. Not planning on becoming a NALS leader? This conference also offers an educational track providing you with great speakers on timely topics.
Regional Conferences – NALS is broken down into eight regions. These regions host one conference each year providing you with a closer-to-home way to attend a NALS event. Many of these conferences are held in the summer and vary in location and schedules.
State Conferences - NALS of Arizona holds educational conferences throughout the state, twice a year, in the winter and spring seasons. The conferences are typically hosted by local chapters, and in varying locations throughout the state.
Professional Development & Education Conference – NALS gathers each March in Tulsa, Oklahoma (the home of the NALS Resource Center), to provide members with the leadership knowledge and skills it takes to successfully operate a local or state chapter. Not planning on becoming a NALS leader? This conference also offers an educational track providing you with great speakers on timely topics.
Regional Conferences – NALS is broken down into eight regions. These regions host one conference each year providing you with a closer-to-home way to attend a NALS event. Many of these conferences are held in the summer and vary in location and schedules.
State Conferences - NALS of Arizona holds educational conferences throughout the state, twice a year, in the winter and spring seasons. The conferences are typically hosted by local chapters, and in varying locations throughout the state.
The NALS Foundation
The non-profit charitable wing of NALS offers states and chapters grants to supply you with quality educational programs. They also offer scholarships for members looking to become leaders within NALS. Click here for more information about the NALS Foundation and their giving programs or to learn more about how to donate.
Community Service & Charitable Giving
NALS of Tucson & So. AZ's members vote annually to choose local charitable organizations to support. In 2010, NTSA hosted a golf tournament which benefited Youth On Their Own (YOTO), a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing support for the high school graduation of homeless teens. Funds were also raised to benefit NTSA's scholarship fund. Plans are already in place to continue the tradition in 2011, this time to benefit Therapeutic Riding Of Tucson's (TROT) Heroes On Horses veteran's riding program. For more information about these and other community service and charitable giving efforts, click here.
Scholarships
Every year, NALS of Tucson & So. AZ and NALS of Arizona offer scholarships to members and individuals in the community pursuing a career or certification in the legal professions. For more information on applying for a NALS scholarship, click here.
