PROGRAMS
ALS...the Basic Certification for the Legal Professional
Bulletin - PLSA's Quarterly Publication
Can Sue Be Sued? - Seminar on Ethics and Malpractice Avoidance for Legal Support Professionals
Monthly Educational Conferences
NALS Basic Legal Training Course
PLS...the Advanced Certification for Legal Professionals
Professional Paralegal Certification
ALS...the Basic Certification for the Legal Professional <top>
Function: The ALS exam is designed for newer/entry-level legal secretaries and covers the general duties performed by legal secretaries. This half-day exam covers the areas of written communications, office procedures and legal knowledge, ethics, human relations, and judgment. Successful completion entitles the individual to use the title “Certified ALS” after their name in written communications.
Bulletin - PLSA's BiMonthly Publication <top>
Function: The Bulletin is a quarterly publication which provides all members with updates on current educational events happening on the local, state, regional, and national levels, as well as providing timely information and articles to assist members in their professional careers.
Can Sue Be Sued? - Seminar on Ethics and Malpractice Avoidance for Legal Support Professionals <top>
Function: This two-hour, awarding-winning seminar was created as an ethics/risk management educational program to help legal secretaries and other support staff recognize and prevent errors and omissions that can subject them and/or their employers to liability or disciplinary proceedings against supervising attorneys.
Community Activities <top>
Function: The Community Activities Committee provides members with various opportunities in which to donate either time or necessary items for local non-profit and pro bono agencies. Past activities include charitable fundraisers through Pins by Lucinda, collection of new backpacks and school supplies for homeless children, collection of wrapped Christmas toys for homeless children, participation in the Philadelphia “Race for the Cure” held each year on Mother’s Day, and volunteering at pro bono agency events.
Court Observance Week <top>
Function: In 1974, through the Congress by House Joint Resolution 898, President Gerald Ford proclaimed the second week in October as NALS Court Observance Week. PLSA celebrates Court Observance Week by offering a week filled with a variety of events scheduled at various times to accommodate everyone’s schedule. We hold seminars, observe court trials, visit judges' chambers, and tour court facilities.
Lunch-n-Learn <top>
Function: The Lunch-n-Learn program provides attendees with an opportunity to enjoy their lunch while learning a variety of topics. Held from September through May at various law firms throughout the City, this year’s topics include day care legal issues, personal safety, consumer rights, employment realities, work-related stress management, estates/living wills/trusts, investment clubs, and breast cancer awareness. The attendance price of $5 for nonmembers can be accumulated during the fiscal year and applied toward membership dues.
Membership <top>
Function: PLSA is part of a tri-level association of legal professionals. Membership is open to legal secretaries and others employed in a law office, the courts, the trust department of a bank or trust company, or any public or private institution or office directly engaged in work of a law-related nature, including any governmental agency. New member dues: $128
Monthly Educational Conferences <top>
Function: PLSA holds monthly educational seminars on the third Wednesday of each month. Topics are presented by area attorneys or judges or qualified PLSs, and include for this year: domestic violence, the death penalty, Internet research, and many other timely topics (See Calendar. October features NALS Court Observance Week, and December will feature Federal Court. Certificates for one hour NALS’ Continuing Legal Education and Recertification are given to all attendees. The price for these monthly educational events is very reasonable and includes dinner.
NALS Basic Legal Training Course <top>
Function: PLSA has sponsored a NALS Basic Legal Training Course. This is a course designed for students and legal professionals who have little or no law office experience or whose experience has been limited to a specialized area of the law. The classes are taught by attorneys, certified professional legal secretaries, and other qualified persons. For a nominal fee, students receive a one-year membership in NALS, all of their text books, and course instruction in various areas of the law and the law office. The course registration fee also includes the application fee for the ALS certification exam, which is taken at the end of the course.
PLS... the Advanced Certification for Legal Professional <top>
Function: PLSA has held a study group to prepare candidates meeting the NALS requirements for the national PLS certification examination held on the first Saturday in March. The PLS certification recognizes experienced legal support staff who have mastered the skills of the profession. Successful completion of the exam entitles the individual to use the title “Certified PLS” after their name in written communication.
PLSA MarketPlace <top>
Function: Provides members with items designed with the PLSA insignia and marketing products.
Professional Paralegal Certification <top>
Function: Any person who has five years' experience performing paralegal/legal assistant duties (a candidate may receive partial waiver of one year if he or she has a post-secondary degree, other certification, or a paralegal certificate; a candidate with a paralegal degree may receive a two-year partial waiver.
