Who We Are
The Foundation of the Association of Legal Administrators was formed by the ALA Board of Directors in 1981 to serve as the charitable affiliate of the ALA. Since that time, the Foundation has contributed over a quarter-million dollars in grants, programs and sponsorships to support its mission and strategic objectives. FALA is recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Meet the current Board of Trustees and read the Foundation Bylaws.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help educate, mentor and inspire current and future legal management professionals in inclusive ways that foster the development and increase awareness of the profession within the legal industry and our communities.
Foundation Initiatives
The Susan L. French Emerging Leader Fellowship Program
The Susan L. French Emerging Leader Fellowship Fund was established by GLJ Benefit Consultants in memory of former ALA President Susan L. French. The foundation of this program is to recognize and honor Susan's commitment to professionalism, dedication to the advancement of law firm administration, development of future leaders and record of long-term service to the Association of Legal Administrators.
The
first year of this two-year fellowship program provides tuition and a travel stipend to ALA’s Chapter Leadership Institute and enrollment in the interactive online series, Elevate Your Professional Presence, along with a presentation module, presented by Judy Hissong, CLM, PCC President of Nesso Strategies, Inc. During the second year, fellows will continue their
leadership mentoring and course curriculum with the opportunity to participate in an additional interactive, leadership-based program.
Participation in the program includes the expectation of full engagement by the fellowship recipient. Program participants will be assigned a mentor for the first year and will assume a mentorship role for future fellowship recipients in the second year. If all program requirements are met, a complimentary registration and travel stipend to an ALA conference may be extended to recipients. Learn more about this program.
Applications for 2024 will open in April.
Student Scholarship and Visibility
The Foundation has focused on students as the future of our profession. With this in mind, we have developed the following initiatives:
- Scholarships for college and post-graduate students engaged in a curriculum in legal management or other legal support roles
- A presence at college career fairs
- Seed money for chapters formulating law firm, legal organization or business partner internships
Applications 2024 are now closed. All applicants will be notified of decisions in June.
David W. Brezina Memorial Session at the Annual Conference
David W. Brezina served as ALA President from 1996 to 1997. His career in legal administration spanned
more than 20 years. In 1996, Dave was involved in a bicycling accident resulting in paralysis and quadriplegia. Even while living with this disability, he served his term as President with distinction and vigor. At the time of his death in 1999,
Dave was serving as a Trustee of the Foundation. A memorial fund was created in his honor to further the educational and charitable work of the Foundation. Each year at Annual Conference, the Foundation sponsors an education session in David's honor.
Read more.
Make a Gift or Send a Tribute Card
The Mission of the Foundation is supported by personal, chapter and corporate contributions, testamentary gifts, and fundraising efforts such as the Foundation Silent Auction at the ALA Annual Conference & Expo. Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible and can be made in honor of a specific individual or chapter.
Your continued support helps us to continue to deliver on the important initiatives of the Foundation and the Trustees are thankful for each dollar donated. In addition, at the Association’s Annual Conference, the Foundation hosts its major fundraiser, a silent auction. Check back for more details about the 2023 Silent Auction.
Make a Donation
Click here to make a monetary contribution online using a credit card. Or complete the donation form and mail it with your contribution to:
The Foundation of ALA
8600 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
Suite 400N
Chicago, IL 60631 USA
Send a Tribute Card
These days, it’s a rare treat to get a card in the mail. Now the Foundation can help you brighten someone’s day or honor a loved one’s memory with one of these tribute cards.
Just select the “In Honor of/In Memory of” option when you donate online or via mail. Fill in the recipient’s name and address, so we can send the card right to them. They’ll receive one of these personalized cards acknowledging your donation.