About the ALA
The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) was formed in 1971 to provide support to professionals involved in the management of law firms, corporate legal departments and government legal agencies. ALA provides educational opportunities, networking opportunities, and services to over 9,000 Members representing more than 6,800 employers in 33 countries. The Knoxville Chapter is one of over 90 chapters in the ALA worldwide.
The Association’s Members are Law Office Administrators who manage such areas as finance, human resources, systems and technology, facilities, marketing and practice development.
The Association’s information-based site – at www.alanet.org – provides Law Office Managers and the legal community with news and information about ALA’s 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.
With representation in virtually every region and larger community in the nation, the ALA provides valuable educational, networking and professional development opportunities for Legal Administrators of all experience levels. ALA’s mission is accomplished through very strong educational programs, an annual educational conference and vendor exposition, and smaller regional conferences, as well as through the direct impact of local Chapters.
The latest developments in law office management are covered in Legal Management,while Your ALA News, a bi-weekly e-newsletter, provides the latest Association news and career information for Legal Administrators. ALA offers many other resources, including publications, audiotapes, videotapes, and webinars on such subjects as communication and general management, human resources, office systems, finance and client development.
Mission Statement
ALA is the premier professional association connecting business leaders and managers in the legal industry. We provide extensive professional development, collaborative peer communities, strategic operational solutions, and business partner connections empowering our members to lead the business of law.
Goals Statement
- 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.
ALA Code of Professional Responsibility
As legal management professionals, members of ALA shall abide by high ethical standards. This ALA Code of Professional Responsibility sets forth standards for the administration of legal management practices. Legal administrators at all levels have a responsibility to uphold and incorporate these standards into their everyday performance. This Code applies to the administration of legal organizations including private firms, corporate legal departments, legal clinics, government agencies and courts.
I. Responsibilities to the Profession of Legal Management:
- Uphold the ALA Code of Professional Responsibility and the mission of the Association of Legal Administrators;
- Conduct oneself with integrity and project a positive image of the legal management profession;
- Pursue continuing education to maintain a high level of proficiency in management procedures and issues;
- Promote initiatives for civic, economic and social well-being within our communities; and
- Advocate increased diversity in the legal management community and in all legal service organizations.
II. Responsibilities to the Legal Employer and its Employees:
- Foster an environment that promotes the use and improvement of sound business practices where all employees can develop, contribute and prosper;
- Be truthful and forthright in all forms of professional and organizational communication;
- Report financial information promptly, completely and accurately, and in a manner that facilitates informed decision making;
- Implement policies and procedures to address professional responsibility, business ethics and conduct;
- Establish an appropriate grievance and appeals process tailored to the legal organization’s size and structure; and
- Promote a work environment that does not discriminate, intimidate or allow harassment based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, veteran’s status, marital status, sexual orientation or other legally protected characteristics.
III. Responsibilities to those Outside the Legal Organization:
- Respect the customs and practices of clients, prospective clients, business partners and the community at large;
- Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest and advise all appropriate parties of potential conflicts;
- Refrain from soliciting or accepting any fee, commission, gift, gratuity, discount or loan on behalf of oneself, family or friends, that may influence business decisions;
- Ensure the existence of policies and procedures to provide quality client service;
- Utilize confidential and proprietary information solely for legal practice or management purposes and not to further private interest or personal profit; and
- Support outreach activities that cultivate pro bono assistance and law related public education to meet community needs.
Links to ALA Resources:
All About The ALA
alanet.org/about/about-ala
ALA Event Calendar
alanet.org/events/
Legal Management magazine
alanet.org/legalmgmt/
ALA Business Partner Resources
http://www.alabp.org/
ALA Legal Marketplace
legalmarketplace.alanet.org
ALA BOLD Bites, the weekly newsletter
alanet.org/education/publications/bold-bites
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