Back in the summer and fall of 2024 when the Commonwealth of Virginia Paralegal Association (CVPA) was forming, the members of CVPA’s initial Board of Directors decided they wanted to affiliate with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) also known as NALA “The Paralegal Association”.
Why did CVPA’s Board of Directors decide to become a NALA affiliated association? The answer is because of the many benefits of being a NALA affiliated association offers CVPA and its members, chief among it is that NALA offers the only nationally accredited “Certified Paralegal” (CP) examination where a paralegal, after taking and passing both the knowledge and skills portion of the CP exam, obtain their “CP” credential1. After earning their CP credential a Paralegal can earn their “Advanced Certified Paralegal” (ACP) credential in a specialized area of law by taking one of the ACP online course offered by NALA2.
What are the other benefits of being a NALA affiliated association or a member of NALA affiliated association? Let’s take a look:
1. Webinars and Online CLE Courses: Access various educational topics relevant to the legal industry.
2. Discounted NALA membership for members of NALA affiliated associations ($5 for Students, $50 off Active type).
3. Publications: like Facts & Findings and the NALA Utilization & Compensation Report.
4. Affiliate Connection: A quarterly newsletter focused on strengthening your association, offering resources, celebrating affiliate success, learning from challenges, and upcoming events and awards.
5. CLE Approval: NALA CLE approval for all your substantive, technology, legal ethics, and non-substantive educational events.
6. Free CLE Sessions: NALA provides affiliated associations with up to two on-demand webinar courses (*excluding course bundles) per calendar year at no cost.
CVPA also receives recognition and creditability through the following items:
1. Permission to use NALA’s “Affiliated Association Logo and Digital Badge”.
2. Through NALA Affiliate Awards, which recognize a member or committee of NALA affiliate for substantial contributions to the Paralegal profession.
NALA also offers CVPA and its members networking opportunities via the following events:
1. The annual NALA Conference and Expo, which is being held in Denver, Colorado this year.
2. The Affiliated Associations Annual meeting at the NALA conference. This meeting features the announcement of elections, recognition of award winners, and an affiliate presentation.
3. Regularly Scheduled Online Forums: that help NALA affiliated associations engage with other paralegal associations and legal professionals through the following:
a. NALA Commons: NALA’s online community forum and network
b. Affiliated Association Town Hall Meetings: which provide a platform for open discussions, sharing of ideas, and addressing common challenges, fostering a sense of community among affiliated associations.
c. Affiliated Association Presentations: a wide range of topics relevant to paralegal associations, providing valuable insights and knowledge-sharing opportunities. NALA online discussions, meetings, and focus groups.
d. The Affiliates Showcase: where NALA affiliates get to market their association and share ideas with other NALA affiliated associations.
CVPA receives support from NALA in the following ways:
1. Technical Assistance: receiving free consultations from NALA’s experienced staff, Affiliate Director and Secretary, and NALA Board members.
2. Promotional Materials: By requesting NALA promotional materials that will help both CVPA and NALA attract new members.
3. By request, speakers from NALA for virtual and onsite speakers for events.
4. And as mentioned above, discounts: affiliated association members receive $50 off an active type NALA membership, and affiliated association student members receive $5 NALA Student membership.
Finally, by being a NALA Affiliated Association, CVPA also gains influence and advocacy through NALA’s recognition as a national paralegal association such as:
1. Policy Development: by participating in developing NALA’s policies and positions.
2. By electing the “Affiliated Associations Director, who sits on the NALA Board of Directors, and the “Affiliated Associations Secretary” whose roles are to advocate for NALA affiliated associations.
3. Legislative Support: by NALA advocating for legislation that benefits the paralegal profession and issues such as “Access to Justice”.
With all those benefits, that is why the forming Board of CVPA chose to become a NALA affiliated association. Please feel free to contact me or CVPA’s Board of Directors regarding more about NALA on these benefits.
1 The CP be credential must be renewed every five years by the holder earning 50 hours of “Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits 5 of which must be in “Legal Ethics” and no more which can be 10 hours “Non-Substantive” CLE and paying a renewal fee.
2 ACP credentials are renewed at the same time CP credentials are renewed