What is the Association of Legal Administrators?  What does it mean to be a member?   The association tag line is “The Source of Legal Management Information and Knowledge”.  In fact, “The Source of Legal Management Information and Knowledge” is the Association’s mission statement.

On both the local and national level, there are a multitude of opportunities to learn and obtain information.  Our chapter’s website, where you are right now, has a calendar of local and national events where speakers discuss topics related to law firm administration and where you can network with fellow members.  You can also link to information about becoming a Certified Legal Manager and our chapter’s local study group.  You can also access one of our valuable resources, our vendor sponsors, who work closely with our members and are always interested in assisting ALA members.  You can also learn about the various committees that keep our chapter running or browse issues of our chapter newsletter.     

Our national association’s website located at www.alanet.org, has a bookstore with numerous affordable books on topics we see often mentioned on our chapter’s listserv.  How many of you knew that there is an entire section on the national website devoted to diversity which includes many articles, a diversity toolkit and even has a diversity resource database?  The education section has something for administrators at every skill and experience level.  It includes details on specialized programs and retreats, learning on demand programs, teleseminars, speaker leads and much more.  When you are looking through the website, be sure to stop first at the Legal Management Research Center (LMRC).  If you have not registered, do so because without using this tool, you are certainly not getting your money’s worth.  The LMRC has a wealth of information and suggestions broken down into various different management areas such as financial management, law firm marketing, human resource management, technology and information systems and more.  It is easy to use and certainly worthwhile.  Have a look through both websites and it will surprise you what is available at the click of your mouse. 

I think you will agree that the Association has succeeded in its mission of becoming “The Source of Legal Management Information and Knowledge”. 

There is another equally important element when considering what the Association of Legal Administrators is:  Its people.  I have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people both locally and throughout the country while attending luncheons, seminars and conferences.  Every time I attend a national conference, I run into people I see once a year and, as we have a common bond and connection, we can and do interact as though we saw each other just yesterday.  I encourage all of you to get out and experience the people that are a part of this great group both locally and nationally.  Yes, they share your stress, anxiety, turmoil and successes. 

In conclusion, I guess we are very similar to most other organizations and associations all around the world:  The Association of Legal Administrators is what you make it.