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General Information | Education & Conferences | Membership | Member Services | Certification
1. How long has ALA been in existence?
The Association of Legal Administrators was founded in 1971.
2. How many members does ALA have?
ALA has over 10,000 members worldwide, representing more than 30 countries.
3. Does ALA have a mission statement?
Yes, ALA's mission is to:
- promote and enhance the competence and professionalism of all members of the legal management team;
- improve the quality of management in law firms and other legal service organizations; and
- represent professional legal management and managers tothe legal community and to the community at large.
4. What are ALA's official goals?
ALA's goals are:
- Develop and deliver programs and products
that will provide high-quality, competency-based education to members of the
legal management team;
- Improve and strengthen the flow of
information to and from the members;
- Enhance the services and benefits available
to members;
- Increase the visibility and credibility of
the Association of Legal Administrators and its members in the legal
community through effective marketing and communications, and through partnering efforts
with the bar and other law-related associations;
- Retain and recruit members from all
components of the legal management team;
- Maintain the Association's strong economic base;
- Increase diversity in the Association, in the legal management community and in all legal service organizations;
- Promote and continue an organizational structure which
clearly and effectively allocates the policy and operational roles and responsibilities of
volunteers and staff through Governance Policies that ensure that organizational resources are best-used
to achieve the Association's Mission and Goals.
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1. What are the dates for future annual
conferences?
- 2009 Annual Educational Conference and Exposition May 18-21, New Orleans, Louisiana
- 2010 Annual Educational Conference and Exposition May 3-6, Boston, MA
- 2011 Annual Educational Conference and Exposition May 23-26, Orlando, FL
2. When will the ALA Annual Conference
brochure be sent to members?
The detailed brochure for the Annual Educational Conference and Exposition is mailed in January each year. See the Annual Conference and Exposition area of ALA's Web site for continued
up-to-date information about the Annual Conference.
3. Can nonmembers attend Regional and Annual
Conferences?
Yes, individuals who are not currently members of ALA but who do meet the eligibility requirements for ALA membership are welcome to attend and participate in these events.ALA
members enjoy discounts on registration fees. See individual Conference
brochures for specific registration fees.
4. Can I get continuing education credit for
attending ALA Conferences and programs?
ALA is a provider of continuing professional education credit for Certified
Public Accountants and lawyers. For more information on continuing education
credit, see Certification and Continuing Professional Education Credit and CLE/CPE
Credit.
5. I've prepaid the registration fees for a
Conference. Can I get a refund if I have to cancel?
Yes, ALA does allow for cancellations. The deadline dates to receive a refund
vary from Conference to Conference. For specific cancellation terms, refer to
the individual Conference brochure.
6. Can I attend a Regional Conference outside
my region?
Yes. Regional Conferences are open to all members and eligible non-members, regardless of location.
7. Could you tell me about ALA's Webinars?
ALA sponsors Webinars throughout the year. They are similar to a
conference call, where participants phone in to register and listen to the
presenter on a given topic. Typically, the Webinar concludes with a
question-and-answer period. For more information and a detailed schedule, see
ALA Webinars.
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1. What does a member receive for their
membership dues?
The tangible benefits are oftentimes the first benefits that come to mind —Publications: Legal
Management, ALA News, the Membership and Resource Consulting Directory, and the
Compensation and Benefits Survey.
In addition, members enjoy special rates
and/or opportunities to participate in conferences, retreats and other
educational programs, in the ALA Management ConnectionsSM job bank,
resources available through the Members
Only area of the ALA Web site, and in a series of member benefit programs.
Of equal value are the intangibles such as networking, resource information,
leadership development, personal and professional growth, and ideas that can
reduce the bottom line. Members also benefit indirectly from the many ways ALA
supports its chapters. For more information, see Benefits of Membership and
Member Services.
2. Does changing jobs affect my ALA membership?
As long as you meet the criteria for membership, your membership goes with you
to your new employer organization.
3. I just lost my job. Can I continue my
membership?
Yes, if you become unemployed during a year of paid membership, you are eligible
to continue your ALA membership for 180 days as a regular member, provided you aren't serving as a
consultant or vendor and are not otherwise employed. After 180
days, you are eligible to continue as an Associate member.
4. What happens if I no longer qualify for
membership, yet my annual dues were recently paid?
As with many associations, dues are not refundable. If you have any questions, please contact the membership department.
5. I am retiring. Can I continue my ALA
membership?
Yes. If you are not otherwise employed and your dues are paid, you can retain an
Associate membership. Contact the Membership Department to see if you qualify for reduced dues.
6. How often are ALA News and Legal
Management published?
ALA News and Legal Management are issued six times a year,
alternating each month. ALA News is published in February, April, June,
August, October and December. Legal Management is published in January,
March, May, July, September and November.
7. What is the employment profile of ALA
members?
A majority of ALA members are principal administrators in private law offices.
For more detailed information, see ALA Demographics.
8. What is an ALA chapter?
An ALA chapter consists of a group of ALA members organized and chartered on a
state, provincial, or local basis to advance ALA's Mission and Goals in a manner
consistent with the policies of the international Association, and which is
established and operated in accordance with ALA's bylaws and its guidelines,
standards, and objectives for chapters. Once you become an ALA member, you may join one of our chapters. Additional application and dues may be required by some chapters.
9. Is membership transferable?
ALA membership is issued to individuals, not to organizations. Membership is not
transferable from one person to another.
10. Do you accept credit card payments for
membership fees, products and services?
Yes. ALA accepts MasterCard, Visa and American Express as a means of payment.
ALA also accepts checks/cheques and money orders. Purchase orders are not accepted.
11. Are membership dues deductible?
Contributions or dues to ALA are not deductible as charitable contributions for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, dues payments are deductible by U.S. members as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Member dues are not used for lobbying expenses.
12. Does ALA offer an Associate membership?
Yes, Associate membership is available to individuals who are interested in legal administration, who are not eligible for Regular membership and who are either
- practicing lawyers with the principal management responsibility in their firm;
- individuals who are engaged in an ongoing employment-type relationship which involves providing continuing management services as outlined in the Association's bylaws;
- retired legal administrators;
- unemployed legal administrators;
- full-time teachers of business, management or law-related disciplines at institutions of higher learning;
- full-time students in business, management or law-related studies at institutions of higher learning;
- bar association executives; or
- other individuals not specifically excluded from membership who have and demonstrate an interest in the management of law firms and other legal organizations, and who do not qualify for Regular Membership in the Association.
13. Can a legal administrator belong to a
local chapter without also being a member of the international Association?
According to the ALA bylaws, all members of local chapters must also be members
of the international Association.
14. If I have left ALA or the profession in
general, can I rejoin later?
Yes, you can rejoin if you again qualify for membership. A new joined date is assigned when you reapply. If, however, you are now serving as a vendor or consultant, you are no longer eligible for membership.
15. Can I join more than one chapter?
Yes, with the permission of each participating chapter.
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1. Where can I find my membership
identification number?
Your membership number appears on your ALA membership card. If you cannot find
your membership card, contact ALA Headquarters by telephone (847) 267-1252 or e mail our
membership department.
2. Do member benefits extend to my immediate
family? To employees of my firm?
Some member benefit programs extend to family members and employees. For details
on specific programs, see ALA
Value in Partnership (VIP)SM Program.
3. Does ALA have any kind of placement
service or job postings for administrators?
ALA Management ConnectionsSM is a nationwide job bank program for legal administrators and non-lawyer support staff. In addition, ads are posted for positions in professional service organizations (such as consulting and accounting firms) that require skills similar to those of a legal administrator or functional specialist. You may view ads or post your résumé by accessing the Career Center/Job Bank also.
4. What's the fastest way to receive
materials ALA sells?
ALA can provide next-day delivery on rush orders for products. To guarantee
next-day delivery (except Weekends), fax your order form to ALA HQ at 847-267-1329. ALA's Products
and Bookstore area is the fastest way to receive materials.
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1. Does ALA offer a certification program?
Yes. The Certified Legal Manager (CLM)SM certification
program identifies qualifed practitioners, ensures recognition of their
expertise, and assists in their development and self-improvement by identifying a
body of knowledge and establishing professional standards. Based on the Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities of Legal Administrators Study
conducted in 1995 and 2000, the certification program allows qualified legal
administrators to demonstrate, through an examination process, a mastery of core
areas of knowledge identified as essential to the effective performance of a
principal administrator. See the Certified
Legal Manager (CLM)SMProgram on the ALA Web site for details
about the program including exam dates.
2. Will ALA's certification be mandatory for
membership?
No. Certification is not required for ALA membership. Participation in the
certification is strictly voluntary.
3. Can nonmembers become certified through
ALA's certification program?
Yes, if they meet certification requirements. For details, see Certification and
Continuing Professional Education Credit.
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