The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), the premier management resource for the legal profession, is the largest association representing legal administrators in the world. Formed in 1971, ALA provides support to professionals involved in the management of law firms, corporate legal departments and government legal agencies. ALA provides high quality educational opportunities and services to more than 9,000 members representing more than 6,000 employers in 27 countries. ALA is structured into six regions with more than 100 chapters in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and New Zealand.

ALA's mission is to "promote and enhance the competence and professionalism of legal administrators and all members of the management team." The Association's members are law office administrators who are thought leaders and industry experts on legal management issues such as finance, human resources, systems and technology, facilities, marketing and practice development.

WEB SITE

The Association's information-based Web site (www.alanet.org) provides law office managers and the legal community with news and information about ALA's exceptional educational programs and member services, print and online management resources, online educational opportunities and jobs available in legal management. The site also provides links to more than 250 law-related management resources and organizations, and vendors to the legal industry.

EDUCATION

ALA offers many outstanding educational opportunities for legal administrators of all experience levels. ALA's Annual Educational Conference and Exposition features more than 100 expert speakers, including law office managers, attorneys and professors from leading management schools. In addition, more than 250 vendors display the latest products and services available to the legal industry.

Legal administrators can add to their credentials by becoming a Certified Legal Manager (CLM)^SM. The voluntary CLM^SM certification program allows a qualified legal administrator to demonstrate, through an examination process, a mastery of core areas of knowledge identified as essential to the effective performance of a principal administrator. Examinations are administered each autumn and then each spring during the Annual Educational Conference and Exposition.

Each fall, ALA sponsors the Corporate/Government Fall Forum, the Large Firm Principal Administrator Retreat and the Intellectual Property Retreat. These events address the unique needs of managers from these types of law practices. ALA's regions also host individual conferences each autumn, and ALA's chapters conduct many valuable seminars and retreats at the local level.

PUBLICATIONS

The latest developments in law office management are covered in Legal Management, ALA's journal. ALA News and ALA News International, the member magazines, provide the latest Association news and career information for legal administrators. ALA offers many other resources, including publications, audiotapes, videotapes and teleseminars on such subjects as communication and general management, human resources, office systems, finance and client development.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

ALA supports and gives back to the communities in which members work. To help those in need tackle everyday challenges, ALA created its Community Challenge Weekend (CCW) program in 1999. During the month of October, ALA encourages its chapters, members firms, vendors, relatives and friends to come together to contribute time, energy and resources toward improving their own communities.

MEMBERSHIP

Regular membership in ALA is open to any full-time administrator or support manager who is employed in a private law firm, corporate, government or university legal department or charitable legal agency. Associate membership is available to certain individuals. Membership is not open to vendors or consultants.

PROGRAMS

Annual Educational Conference and Exposition. 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!

Regional Conferences. Regional Conferences, two day events traditionally held each fall, provide affordable educational opportunities for ALA members and members of the legal management team. You will not find a better opportunity to expand your knowledge, enhance your professional value, and network with your peers.

Retreats & Specialized Programs. Retreats & Specialized Programs. Legal managers who work in specialized organizations enjoy learning opportunities tailored to their unique needs. Each year, ALA's special interest retreats provide speaker and panel presentation as well as networking benefits. Currently, ALA sponsors three special interest retreats and two specialty programs:

• Large Firm Administrators Retreat
• Corporate/Government Fall Forum
• Intellectual Property Retreat
• Law Firm Management: Essential Competencies for Legal Administrators
• Law Firm Profitability Enhancement Program

ALA Teleseminars. ALA’s telephone seminars are a cost effective and efficient way to bring education to each participant’s office or home. Whether located in a large metropolitan area or in a small rural community, this educational opportunity is as close as a touch tone telephone. And, because ALA utilizes the "site license: concept, individuals can invite unlimited listeners to participate in the learning experience -- all for one low registration fee.

Learning On Demand Program. ALA's Learning On Demand Program provides ALA members and their staff an exciting line-up of online educational opportunities. ALA has teamed up with SkillSoft Corporation to offer more than 375 Web-based courses focusing on a wide range of management topics, including strategic planning, leadership, human resources management, communication, knowledge management, personal development, finance, marketing and more. Courses can be accessed through ALA's Web site and can be taken seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Certified Legal Manager (CLM)^SM Program. The CLM^SM Program was created to help raise professional standards, encourage self-assessment, and award recognition to those legal administrators who meet prescribed levels of competence and ethical fitness. The certification assessment process includes meeting educational and experience requirements and passing an examination that tests knowledge of 47 key competencies.

ALA Management Solutions^SM. Using various communications techniques for efficient service, this program offers timely assistance to members seeking help with Association- and profession-specific information needs.

ALA Management Connections^SM (Job Bank). ALA’s nationwide job bank program, ALA Management Connections^SM, was created for individuals seeking to secure or fill positions within the legal management profession. This program brings together prospective employers and employees from every aspect of the legal marketplace.

ALA Value in Partnership (VIP)^SM Program. Enhancing the services and benefits available to ALA members continues to be one of ALA’s top priorities. With that goal in mind, ALA has a series of benefit programs (discounts from the following organizations) that are of value not only to members, but also to their employers and families. ALA currently offers programs in cooperation with:

• Alamo Rent A Car
• American Buying Retirement Services, Inc.
• Anheuser-Busch® Adventure Parks (SeaWorld, Busch Gardens)
• Coast to Coast Vision Plan
• Daryl Flood Warehouse & Movers/Agent for Allied Van Lines
• Grand & Toy (Canada Only)
• The Gunlocke Company (Office Furniture)
• MBNA America
• New Horizons Computer Learning Centers
• Quill® Corporation
• Seabury & Smith
• Shumsky Enterprises, Inc.
• The Disney Club SM
• United Parcel Service
• Universal Health Systems Inc.
• Universal Studios Hollywood & Florida®
• WORLDOX®

For more information about ALA’s educational programs, visit ALA online at www.alanet.org.