AALS Fall Board Meeting

Four MALS members (Deborah Dickey, PP, PLS; Donna DeShields, PP; Barb Hanley; and Kristi Skipper, PP, PLS) and one guest (Katherine Church) traveled to Dothan, Alabama for the 2008 AALS Fall Board Meeting, October 24 & 25, 2008.

MALS Gals

Six hours of CLE were offered on interesting topics, and MALS members were honored during the Board meeting for their achievements.  Deborah Dickey, PP, PLS and Kristi Skipper, PP, PLS received an AALS CLE Award.  Deborah Dickey, PP, PLS, Donna DeShields, PP, and Kristi Skipper, PP, PLS received a Resolution of Commendation for their attainment of the title Certified Professional Paralegal.

The next AALS Board Meeting will be held January 23 & 24.  Start making plans now so you won’t miss out!

Job Announcement

Lawyer Referral Service Secretary

Alabama State Bar

 

Job Title:        Lawyer Referral Service Secretary

Reports to:     Director of Service Programs, Alabama State Bar

 

Position Summary:

Oversees day-to-day operations of the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) and provides committee support to insure success and growth.  The Secretary manages a computerized program allowing members of the public to be referred to a member attorney in their geographical area.  This is a professional position involving tasks assigned by the Director of Service Programs.  It requires the ability to independently interview callers and identify potential legal issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Perform high volume caller intake on telephone.

2. Prepare and send correspondence informing lawyer and caller of the referral.

3. Where appropriate, refer callers to organizations and agencies that may be of assistance to the caller.

4. Work with attorneys to insure a fair rotation schedule, appropriate number of referrals, and collection of LRS membership dues and percentage fees.

5. Verify a LRS attorney’s coverage by professional liability insurance.

6.  Perform filing and prepare bank deposits.

7. Work with Alabama State Bar LRS Committee as appropriate to (a) educate the public about the LRS, and (b) suggest improvements to the LRS.   

8. Develop effective outreach materials reflecting the goals of the LRS.

9. Comply with polices, guidelines and reporting requirements as set forth in the Lawyer Referral Service Rules approved by the Board of Bar Commissioners.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Experience working with computer programs, internet and database entry.

2. Basic knowledge of the legal system and substantive areas of practice.

3. Basic reading and writing skills to produce effective letters, reports, and other correspondence.

4. Strong organizational and time management skills.

5. Strong interpersonal relation skills and being an effective team player.

6. Strong communication and problem solving skills.

7. Flexibility as well as ability to work with minimal supervision.

Professional Credentials and Experience

Create and modify documents in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and utilize basic business mathematics. The ability to deal with callers under stress or in crisis, by retaining a calm, professional and positive demeanor is essential.  A four-year college degree is preferred, but not required.  Two years of office experience is required.

Miscellaneous:

The LRS secretary’s office is based in the Alabama State Bar building, 415 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery,  Alabama.  This full time (40 hours per week) position is available immediately.  Applications will be accepted through November 15, 2008. Salary will commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits.  Send cover letter and resume to kristi.skipper@alabar.org or mail to Alabama State Bar, P.O. Box 671, Montgomery, AL 36101-0671, Attention: Laura Calloway, Director of Service Programs.

PLS…the advanced certification for legal professionals

How do your skills compare with the hallmark of a professional? PLS® is the designation for lawyer’s assistants who want to be identified as exceptional. Certification is received after passing a one-day, four-part examination which demonstrates not only dedication to professionalism but acceptance of the challenge to be exceptional. Personal motivation is necessary to attain such a goal.

 

The purpose of the examination is to certify a lawyer’s assistant as a person who possesses:

 

•     a mastery of office skills;

•     the ability to interact on a professional level with attorneys, clients, and other support staff;

•     the discipline to assume responsibility and exercise initiative and judgment; and

•     a working knowledge of procedural law, the law library, and how to prepare legal documents.

 

PLS Examination Eligibility

Any person who has had three years’ experience in the legal field may take the examination. Membership in NALS is not a requirement. A partial waiver of the three-year legal experience requirement may be granted for post-secondary degrees, successful completion of the ALS exam, or other certifications. The maximum waiver is one year.

 

The Exam Covers

•     PART 1: Written Communications

•     PART 2: Office Procedures and Technology

•     PART 3: Ethics and Judgment

•     PART 4: Legal Knowledge and Skills

 

Examination Guidelines

All four parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt. If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, but do pass one or more parts, you may retake the part (or parts) you failed. All failed parts must be retaken at the same time.

 

Those passing the exam will receive a certificate which is valid for five years. Re-certification is required every five years and may be achieved through the accumulation of continuing legal education hours and activities.

 

Examination Dates                                          Application Deadlines

•     March: First Saturday (March 7, 2009)        •     Postmarked by January 1

•     September: Last Saturday                             •     Postmarked by August 1

 

Examination Fees

•     For the initial examination: Members – $150; Non-Members – $200

•     For part retakes: Members – $40 per part; Non-Members – $50 per part

 

Transfer/Refund Policy

If you are unable to sit for the examination at your chosen time, you may transfer to another examination date by paying a $25 transfer fee and by making the request no later than two weeks prior to the test date.

 

If you are unable to sit for the examination at any time following submission of your application, the entire free, less a 25% processing fee, may be refunded if requested 30 days or more before the scheduled examination date.  If you are unable to sit for the examination after transferring to another examination date, no refund will be given nor will additional transfers be allowed.

Questions? Please email us at mals@email.com.

ALS…the basic certification for legal professionals

One way to demonstrate your preparedness for the demanding field of law is by becoming an ALS.  This designation is awarded after passing a four-hour, three-part examination.  Attaining this goal demonstrates your commitment and aptitude for succeeding in the ever-changing legal environment.

The ALS Examination:

•     demonstrates ability to perform business communication tasks;

•     gauges ability to maintain office records and calendars, and prioritize multiple tasks

      when given real-life scenarios;

•     measures understanding of office equipment and related procedures;

•     denotes aptitude for understanding legal terminology, legal complexities, and

      supporting documents;

•     assesses recognition of accounting terms in order to solve accounting problems; and

•     appraises knowledge of law office protocol as prescribed by ethical codes.

 

ALS Examination Eligibility

To sit for the examination, you must have completed one of the following:

•     an accredited business/legal course;

•     the NALS Legal Training Course; or

•     one year of general office experience.

 

Membership in NALS is not a requirement.

 

The Exam Covers

•     PART 1: Written Communications

•     PART 2: Office Procedures and Legal Knowledge

•     PART 3: Ethics, Human Relations, and Judgment

 

Examination Guidelines

All three parts of the examination must be taken on the first attempt.  If you do not pass the entire examination on the first attempt, you may retake the examination parts you did not pass.  All failed parts must be retaken at the same time.  You will be charged the full exam fee each time you sit.

 

Those passing the exam will receive a certificate which is valid for five years.

 

Certification may be extended through continuing education, based on NALS guidelines, for one year.

 

Examination Dates                                          Application Deadlines

•     March: First Saturday (March 7, 2009)        •     Postmarked by January 1

•     September: Last Saturday                             •     Postmarked by August 1

 

Examination Fees

•     Student/LTC Participant (minimum of 9 credit hours) – $50

•     NALS member (not a full-time student) – $75

•     Non-member (not a full-time student) – $100

 

Transfer/Refund Policy

If you are unable to sit for the examination at your chosen time, you may transfer to another examination date by paying a $25 transfer fee and by making the request no later than two weeks prior to the test date.

 

If you are unable to sit for the examination at any time following submission of your application, the entire free, less a 25% processing fee, may be refunded if requested 30 days or more before the scheduled examination date.  If you are unable to sit for the examination after transferring to another examination date, no refund will be given nor will additional transfers be allowed.

 

Questions? Please email us at mals@email.com.

 

October Events

Two of the ways that NALS accomplishes its mission statement is through continuing legal education (CLE) and professional certification programs and designations.  MALS is proud to offer several opportunities this month for CLE and a study group for certification.  NOTE: All CLE offered by MALS is for legal secretaries and paralegals.  Attorney CLE is not provided unless specifically stated.

Wednesday, October 15th, at 8:00 p.m. Central the NALS Online Learning Center (www.nals.org) will have a seminar on Document Management (1 hour of CLE).  This event is open to all legal secretaries and paralegals.  The NALS Online Learning Center is a free resource, so take advantage!

On Thursday, October 16th, at 12 noon, MALS invites all legal secretaries and paralegals to join us for a Lunch N’ Learn in connection with Court Appreciation Week.  A representative from LEGALimaging will talk to us about Courtroom Technology (1 hour of CLE).  This seminar will be held in Judge Price’s courtroom.  Lunch will be provided, but you must make a reservation (send an email to mals@email.com).  We are excited about this opportunity to learn about the new technology in Judge Price’s courtroom.  Join us for FREE lunch and FREE CLE!

MALS is proud to offer an ALS/PLS Certification Study Group.  (For more information on these certifications, go to www.nals.org, or stay tuned for later posts.)  The study group will meet on Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m., beginning October 16th.  Registration is required.  The cost is $30 for members, $40 for non-members.  There are additional fees for text books and the exam.  Even if you’re not sitting for an exam, you can learn from this study group, so take this opportunity to brush up on your legal knowledge and office management skills.  For more information on this study group, including location and a registration form, send an email to mals@email.com. 

MALS will hold its regular meeting at 12  noon on Monday, October 20th, at the Farmer’s Market Cafe (315 N. McDonough Street).  Our speaker will be Ken Wallis, Chief Legal Advisor to Governor Bob Riley (1/2 hour of CLE).  You don’t want to miss this interesting (and FREE!) CLE seminar.  All you have to buy is your lunch!

The AALS Fall Board Meeting will be held Friday, October 24th and Saturday October 25th at the Holiday Inn Dothan South in Dothan, Alabama.  Six 1-hour CLE sessions will be offered, including Handling Workman Compensation Cases; Introduction to Employment Law in Alabama; Guardianships & Conservatorships; The Automatic Stay in Bankruptcy: What You Can and Cannot Do; The Sweet Green Elixir of Cash; and Being an Informed Consumer: Avoid Predatory Lenders and Others.  Full Registration is $55 for members; $70 for non-members.  For more information, send an email to mals@email.com.

MALS is hosting Court Appreciation Week October 13-17.  We will be delivering Goodie Trays to court offices on Tuesday, October 14th.  On Wednesday, October 15th, we will have Coffee with the Judges in the Jury Assembly Room.  Coffee with the Judges is a bench and bar event designed to give attorneys and judges time to mix and mingle outside of work.  Please encourage attorneys to attend.  Also, don’t forget the Lunch N’ Learn planned for Thursday, October 16th.  This event is open to all legal secretaries and paralegals, and lunch is provided (make reservations at mals@email.com). 

We hope to see you at some of these events in October!

NALS Code of Ethics

Members of NALS are bound by the objectives of this association and the standards of conduct required of the legal profession.

Every member shall encourage respect for the law and the administration of justice; observe the rules governing privileged communications and confidential information; promote and exemplify high standards of loyalty, cooperation, and courtesy; perform all duties of the profession with integrity and competence; and pursue a high order of professional attainment.

Integrity and high standards of conduct are fundamental to the success of our professional association. This Code is promulgated by NALS and accepted by its members to accomplish these ends.

Canon 1.  Members of this association shall maintain a high degree of competency and integrity through continuing education to better assist the legal profession in fulfilling its duty to provide quality legal services to the public.

Canon 2.  Members of this association shall maintain a high standard of ethical conduct and shall contribute to the integrity of the association and the legal profession.

Canon 3.  Members of this association shall avoid a conflict of interest pertaining to a client matter.

Canon 4.  Members of this association shall preserve and protect the confidences and privileged communications of a client.

Canon 5.  Members of this association shall exercise care in using independent professional judgment and in determining the extent to which a client may be assisted without the presence of a lawyer and shall not act in matters involving professional legal judgment.

Canon 6.  Members of this association shall not solicit legal business on behalf of a lawyer.

Canon 7.  Members of this association, unless permitted by law, shall not perform paralegal functions except under the direct supervision of a lawyer and shall not advertise or contract with members of the general public for the performance of paralegal functions.

Canon 8.  Members of this association, unless permitted by law, shall not perform any of the duties restricted to lawyers or do things which lawyers themselves may not do and shall assist in preventing the unauthorized practice of law.

Canon 9.  Members of this association not licensed to practice law shall not engage in the practice of law as defined by statutes or court decisions.

Canon 10.  Members of this association shall do all other things incidental, necessary, or expedient to enhance professional responsibility and participation in the administration of justice and public service in cooperation with the legal profession.

NALS Mission Statement

NALS is dedicated to enhancing the competencies and contributions of members in the legal services profession.  NALS accomplishes its mission and supports the public interest through:

*Continuing legal education and resource materials;

*Networking opportunities at the local, state, regional, and national levels;

*Commitment to a Code of Ethics and professional standards;

*Professional certification programs and designations.