ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF PARALEGALS, INC.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF PARALEGALS, INC.

Post Office Box 55921

Birmingham, Alabama  35255

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

(1)    Any individual who has successfully completed the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) examination of NALA.

(2)    Any individual who has graduated from an ABA approved program of study for legal assistants.

(3)    Any individual who has graduated from a course of study for legal assistants which is institutionally accredited but not ABA approved, and which requires not less than the equivalent of sixty (60) semester hours of classroom study.

(4)    Any individual who has graduated from a course of study for legal assistants other than those set forth in 4.1.A(2) and 4.1A(3) above, plus not less than six (6) months of in-house training as a legal assistant, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is qualified as a legal assistant.

(5)    Any individual who has received a baccalaureate degree in any field, plus not less than six (6) months in-house training as a legal assistant, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is qualified as a legal assistant.

(6)    Any individual who has a minimum of three (3) years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney, including at least six (6) months of in-house training as a legal assistant, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is qualified as a legal assistant.

(7)    Any individual who has a minimum of two (2) years of in-house training as a legal assistant, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is qualified as a legal assistant.

(1)    Members of bar associations endorsing the legal assistant concept or involved in the promotion of the legal assistant profession.

(2)    Members of the educational field endorsing the legal assistant concept or involved in the promotion of the legal assistant profession.

(3)    ABA approved legal assistant programs and universities, colleges, junior and community colleges, or other independently accredited post secondary educational institutions offering a course of study for legal assistants which is institutionally accredited but not ABA approved and which requires not less that the equivalent of 60 semester hours (or the equivalent) of classroom study prescribed for training as a legal assistant.

(4)    Individuals directly involved in the supervision of legal assistants, including law office managers and administrators.

(5)   The Board of Directors of this Association may at any time or from time to time prescribe further rules and regulations defining and governing the admission of individuals or institutions to Associate/Institutional membership in this Association, which said rules and regulations shall be set forth in the Standing Rules of the Association.

COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM WITH PAYMENT SHOULD BE MAILED TO:

ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF PARALEGALS, INC.

I hereby apply for:                                                                                                            

            □         Active Membership                                                                                         

            □         Association/Institutional Membership                                                            

            □         Student Membership                                                                                        

         □         Sustaining Membership

     in the Alabama Association of Paralegals, Inc.

I agree to be bound by the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and the Bylaws adopted by the Alabama Association of Paralegals, Inc. and the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.  I further understand that this application is subject to approval by the Alabama Association of Paralegals, Inc.

Date:  __________________      Signature:  _________________________________________________________

If Applicable:    CLA/CP Certified Date:  ____________  APC Certified Date:  ___________

Are you a member of NALA?     □    Yes       □    No

APPLICATION FOR ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

 Name:  _____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone:  (____)________________  Work Phone: (____)_________________   Fax: (____)______________

Email Address: _______________________________________________________________________________

Preferred Mailing Address     □  Home          □  Work
****PLEASE LIST HOME AND WORK ADDRESSES****

Employer:  __________________________________________________________________________________ 

Employer Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

Name of Supervisor:  ________________________ Area of Law:  _______________________________________

□ Law department, non-profit organization      □ Judicial Agency/Court       □ Corporate Law Department

□ Private Law Firm consisting of #attorneys                          #non-legal personnel ___________________

How Long Employed as a Paralegal?  _________  Total Years of Legal Experience:  ___________

Formal Education (name & address of school) or training:  _____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Graduation Date:  _________________                     

 ATTORNEY-EMPLOYER ATTESTATION

(For Active Membership)

I hereby attest that ____________________________________________ is employed by me and is recognized as a legal assistant/paralegal and that he/she, under the supervision and direction of a lawyer, is capable of the following services as generally described by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Legal Assistants:

I further attest that applicant has been employed by me as a legal assistant for six (6) months or longer; that applicant’s ethical and professional conduct are above reproach, and that he/she is recommended for membership in the Alabama Association of Paralegals, Inc., an affiliate of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.

Date: __________  Signature of Attorney/Employer:  __________________________________________________

Firm:  ________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:  _____________________________________________________________________________________

APPLICATION FOR ASSOCIATE/INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Please check one:    □    Attorney/Legal Assistant Manager

                                   □     Educator

                                   □     Institution

Type of Institution:              □ Private Law Firm                              □ Law department, non-profit organization     

                                                 □ Judicial Agency/Court                   □ Corporate Law Department     

                                                 □ School                                               □ Other ___________________________________     

Firm/School/Institution:  _______________________________________________________________________ 

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Contact Name:  _______________________________________________________________________________ 

Telephone: (____)_________________   Fax: (____)______________ Email Address: ______________________

APPLICATION FOR STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

 Name:  _____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone:  (____)________________  Email Address: ____________________________________________

School Attending:  _____________________________________________________________________________

School Address:  _______________________________________________________________________________

Expected Graduation Date: __________________ 

SCHOOL ATTESTATION

(For Student Membership)

I hereby attest that ________________________________________________________ is currently enrolled in the legal assistant/paralegal program at this school.

Date:  __________  Signature of Program Director/Instructor:  ___________________________________________

Title:  ________________________________________________________________________________________

School:  ______________________________________________________________________________________

** Please attach a copy of your paralegal program’s curriculum.

APPLICATION FOR SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP

 Name:  _____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Home Phone:  (____)________________  Email Address: ____________________________________________

Former Employer:  _____________________________________________________________________________

Employed as paralegal for how long:_______________________________________________________________

Reason for sustaining application__________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF PARALEGALS, INC.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL ASSISTANTS, INC.

Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Preamble                           A legal assistant must adhere strictly to the accepted standards of legal ethics and to the general principles of property conduct.  The performance of the duties of the legal assistant shall be governed by specific canons as defined herein in order that justice will be served and goals of the profession attained.

The cannons of ethics set forth hereafter are adopted by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., as a general guide to aid legal assistants and attorneys.  The enumeration of these rules does not mean there is not others of equal importance although not specifically mentioned.  Court rules, agency rules and statutes must be taken into consideration when interpreting the canons.

Canon 1.                            A legal assistant must not perform any of the duties that attorneys only may perform nor take any actions that attorneys may not take.

Canon 2.                            A legal assistant may perform any task which is properly delegated and supervised by an attorney as long as the attorney is ultimately responsible to the client, maintains a direct relationship with the client, and assumes professional responsibility for the work product.

Canon 3.                            A legal assistant must not a) engage in, encourage or contribute to any act which could constitute the unauthorized practice of law; b) establish attorney/client relationships, set fees, give legal opinions or advice or represent a client before a court or agency unless so authorized by that court or agency; and c) engage in, conduct or take any action which would assist or involve the attorney in a violation of professional ethics or give the appearance of professional impropriety.

Canon 4.                           A legal assistant must use discretion and professional judgment commensurate with knowledge and experience but must not render independent legal judgment in place of an attorney. The services of an attorney are essential in the public interest whenever such legal judgment is required.

Canon 5.                            A legal assistant must disclose his or her status as a legal assistant at the outset of any professional relationship with a client, attorney, a court or administrative agency or personnel thereof, or a member of the general public. A legal assistant must act prudently in determining the extent to which a client may be assisted without the presence of an attorney.

Canon 6.                           A legal assistant must strive to maintain integrity and a high degree of competency through education and training with respect to professional responsibility, local rules and practice and through continuing education in substantive areas of law to better assist the legal profession in fulfilling its duty to provide legal services.

Canon 7.                            A legal assistant must protect the confidences of a client and must not violate any rule or statute now in effect or hereafter enacted controlling the doctrine of privileged communications between a client and an attorney.

Canon 8.                            A legal assistant must do all other things incidental, necessary or expedient for the attainment of the ethics and responsibilities as defined by statute or rule of court.

Canon 9.                           A legal assistant's conduct is guided by bar associations' codes of professional responsibility and rules of professional conduct.

Adopted May 1, 1975 Revised 1979; 1988; 1995

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