AALA Membership Benefits

The Atlanta Chapter has been an active member of ALA since 1977.  The Chapter was organized by a small group of pioneering legal administrators who had been meeting since 1975 to help each other conquer the challenges of the fledgling profession and to better serve the firms for which they worked.  When they learned about ALA they knew immediately that being part of the organization would help them achieve their goals.  Today, the Chapter has over 200 members representing private law firms and the legal departments of corporations and government entities.  The Chapter promotes the exchange of information regarding administrative and management problems peculiar to legal organizations, develops and promotes continuing education programs and makes available members who specialize in specific areas of administration for consulting purposes to the membership.  Members adhere to the ALA Code of Professional Ethics and the ALA Antitrust Rules and Guidelines.

The Chapter will offer at least 25 educational opportunities for members this year through our AALA Speaker Series and section lunches.  Topics are selected to appeal to a wide variety of members.  The Chapter has nine Sections that address the needs of specific administrative specialties.  Section meetings provide a speaker on a topic of specific interest to those administrators or offer members the opportunity to exchange ideas within their specialty.  The Chapter offers the ALA teleseminar to its members on months when there is no conflict with the Chapter Meeting.  The Chapter has a study group to help organize and focus member efforts to prepare for and complete the Certified Legal Manager exam.  The Chapter provides three scholarships to the ALA Annual Conference and two scholarships to the Region 2 Conference.

The right products and services are key to successful legal administration.  The Chapter promotes positive relationships with our legal vendors.  Without their support many of the programs provided to members would not be possible.  Our current Vendor Sponsorship Program allows vendors to support the Chapter at various levels and in turn participate in selected Chapter events.  Their participation provides members with the opportunity to learn about the products and services that can help them accomplish their goals.  Once a year Vendors are invited to exhibit at our Chapter Luncheon.  Currently about 60 vendors participate.  Members and their colleagues can visit the exhibit hall and network with vendors and find solutions to nagging problems.

It is widely recognized that we can all learn from others, and we can all teach others.. A lot of this happens naturally.  This program is designed to supplement what happens naturally by eliminating barriers and bringing together those who are willing to share with one another.  Our goal is to shorten the learning curve of our Chapter members and to help them succeed at whatever they set out to do.  It is also hoped that this program will provide ideas, inspiration, and practical experience for those attempting to set up or improve associate mentor programs in their own firms and legal departments.

With the click of a mouse members can obtain any and all information they need about the Chapter or ALA at the Chapter's award-winning web site, www.atlanta-ala.com.  Among its many resources members can find information about how to join, check the calendar of events (ALA and Chapter), register for meetings, join the list serve, access copies of the Minutes of the Board of Directors and the Newsletter, obtain member contact information in the Member Directory and check out the latest featured member.

The Chapter Newsletter is published quarterly.  It is written and edited primarily by members.  It includes news from the Chapter President, articles on various management topics, articles on Chapter events and calendar information on upcoming events.  Vendors can advertise their products and services in the newsletter.  Current distribution of the newsletter far exceeds the membership itself and helps to raise the profile of the Chapter in the legal community.

The Chapter supports and encourages community service.  In addition to participating in the ALA Annual Community Challenge Weekend, members participate in several community service projects throughout the year.  In the last several years we have joined area lawyers in Servis Juris Day, we have participated with vendors on projects in conjunction with the Vendor Luncheon and we have participated in various holiday toy drives.

The Chapter works with ALA to prepare and distribute an Annual Salary and Benefits Survey to all members.  The results of the survey are sent to one member at each participating firm or company.  The survey is an invaluable tool for members to use for local market information.