Austin LSA Services and Benefits

Bulletin (The Verdict!)

Austin LSA members receive The Verdict!, a bi-monthly publication of the local association containing legal education, upcoming activities, and other information about the association. Also, as a member of the tri-level association, you will also receive the quarterly publications from NALS, "@Law," and the Texas ALP publication, "The Texas Docket."

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Career Opportunities

One of the great benefits of being a member of Austin LSA are the career opportunities available through our job bank. This job bank is for the benefit of NALS, Texas ALP, and Austin LSA members only. This service is available to local employers at no charge. If you are an employer and want to post a job opening on this website, please contact Mary Bernal to place your ad.

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Certification Programs

The Professional Paralegal certification ("PP") is a four-part, all-day exam, which includes:

Part 1 - Written Communications
Part 2 - Legal Knowledge and Skills
Part 3 - Ethics and Judgment Skills
Part 4 - Substantive Law

Qualifications to sit for the exam:

Five years experience performing paralegal/legal assistant duties (a candidate may receive a 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).

The NALS Professional Paralegal certification will be valid for five years. Recertification will require 75 hours of CLE. Recertification is mandatory to remain certified.

Please note that the only portion a PLS ever has to take of the NALS Professional Paralegal certification exam is the one section on substantive law (Part 4)

PLS ...the advanced certification for legal professionals (PLS) program was developed by NALS in 1960 to recognize the professional status of lawyer's assistants attaining knowledge concerning all phases of the law office. The lawyer's assistant passing the exam receives certification by NALS and is entitled to use the "PLS" designation. The PLS exam is a comprehensive, one-day exam given twice a year at national testing centers. PLS exams are given to lawyer's assistants with at least three years of experience. The PLS exam extensively covers the following subjects: 1) Written Communications, 2) Office Procedures and Technology, 3) Ethics and Judgment, and 4) Legal Knowledge and Skills. For additional information on this certification, please visit NALS.

In June 1992, NALS began offering the ALS ...the basic certification for legal professionals (ALS) exam. This certification program is open to those persons having completed an accredited office curriculum course, the NALS Legal Training Course, or at least one year of general office experience. For additional information on this certification, please visit NALS.

The Texas Institute for Specialty Certification offers Specialty Certification exams in Texas Civil Litigation and Texas Real Estate. The purpose of the exams is to certify a legal support staff professional who possesses a working knowledge of legal procedure, the ability to interact with others on a professional level, and the discipline to assume responsibility and appropriately exercises initiative and judgment. To be eligible to take the exams, the applicant must meet one of the following requirements: PLS certification; Legal Assistant (CLA) certification; seven years of legal experience; five years of legal experience, of which the last two must have been in the area of civil litigation or real estate; three years of legal experience plus an associates's or higher degree or twenty-four hours of legal education. The half-day exam covers general knowledge and procedures applicable to civil litigation or real estate. For additional information, contact the Institute.

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Community Service

This year, Austin LSA is participating in several community service activities. Austin LSA believes in giving without expecting anything in return, except the knowledge that we have been able to contribute to others. In that vein, Austin LSA has sponsored a school supply drive for a local elementary school, is working with the Austin Bar Association on Adoption Day as well as adopting families for the holiday season. We understand that to change the world, we have to start in our own neighborhood.

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Continuing Legal Education Awards

A voluntary national program awarding certificates to persons achieving
60 hours of education credit in a three-year period. Upon approval of the
application, a certificate is awarded by NALS. Renewals are available
every three years from date of issuance. For more information, please visit NALS.

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Legal Education

Seminars, workshops, and legal training courses encourage members to keep themselves informed in all aspects of their profession.

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Networking

By contact with others in the legal profession, we establish a network, pursue a high order of business and professional attainment, uphold honor and dignity of the law, and maintain a high standard of ethics among members.

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Programs

Monthly CLE luncheons are typically held the fourth Thursday of each month and are currently being held at the Austin Bar Association.

Speakers deliver interesting and informative programs at monthly continuing legal education and membership meetings relating to the legal field. Topics have included Ethics, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Medical Malpractice, Intellectual Property, Estate Planning, Constitutional Law, Family Law, and Civil Litigation.

The Association utilizes speakers for Continuing Legal Education meetings from our legal community. Many of the speakers are attorneys who speak to our Association on specialized fields of the law.

From time to time, special programs may be offered to members and non-members alike. Please visit the News page for information relating to those programs.

If you desire a specific topic or program to be provided to you as a member, please contact Cindy Buzan or Laura McCarty.

If you have any questions or would like to serve on the Programs Committee, please feel free to contact Cindy Buzan or Laura McCarty.

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