Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators Content Managers RSS Feed

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:55:38 GMT

CLM UNIVERSITY CLM EXAM IN ATLANTA, SEPTEMBER 30th Should I take the exam? Debra Elsbury says YES! If you need more encouragement, click here for more testimonials. The CLMsm Brochure Download a CLMsm Information Packet with Application. Send this in by August 12th if you plan to take the exam on September 30th (4 locations offered) All your education requirements must be completed within 24 months of your application date. TIP: fill out your education forms in advance and ask Sue Powers at ALA to pre-screen your education credits prior to submitting your application. Click here to see a listing of all Atlanta education offerings that count toward certification and recertification for the CLM. Click here for an Excel version of the Education Worksheet. The AALA CLM University Study Group is meeting every other Tuesday until the exam in September. James Gillespie is hosting all the meetings at his firm. Each meeting concentrates on...

2010 Business Partner Expo Attendees

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:49:25 GMT

The following vendors will be attending the 2010 Business Partner Expo at the Cobb Galleria Centre on Tuesday, August 17th: T = Titanium Level Sponsor P = Platinum Level Sponsor D = Diamond Level Sponsor G = Gold Level Sponsor S = Silver Level Sponsor B = Bronze Level Sponsor Adams Data Management – B ALL-STATE LEGAL – B Artlite Office Supply Company – B Atlanta Laser Connection, Inc – S Bank of North Georgia – S Barnsley Garden Resort – B Beacon Hill Legal – B Benefits Advisory Group BlueWave Computing – B Blumberg Excelsior, Inc. – B Cambridge Professional Group – G Cash Management Solutions - B Connect Staffing – B CORT – B CourierNet, Inc. – B DeKalb Office Environments – B Document Technologies, Inc. – P Elite Archives – B Elite Telecom Services – B Equitrac Corporation – B Esquire Deposition Solutions – S Firm Tech, Inc. – B FirstPRO, Inc. – S...

Home Page Content - Atlanta ALA

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:39:01 GMT

Business Partner Spotlight Capture the Magic! Paces Staffing is a relationship based recruiting organization serving some of the strongest legal talent in the Southeast with direct hire, contract and temporary employment solutions. We are proud to have Paces as our Titanium level AALA Partner. Please join us for our Summer Social on Friday, July 23rd at Rosa Mexicano. Be sure to say hello to our friends from Paces! AALA appreciates its 2010 Business Partners! Members are encouraged to support the AALA Business Partners. Magic is all around us! Click on the image above to see if you are a STAR leader! Participation in AALA gets you stars and the more stars you have the more likely you'll be entered into our drawing for a scholarship to annual conference in Florida in 2011! Click here for more info on how to play!

AALA Membership Benefits

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:10:15 GMT

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. Education The Chapter will...

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:07:14 GMT

The Magic of AALA can be captured in the camaraderie of its members, the endless educational opportunities, the hard work of its committees and the resources of its website and newsletters. Enjoying the Magic of AALA is even more rewarding than ever. Not only do you benefit from using these tools, you also gain the chance to win a $2000 scholarship to the 2011 ALA Educational Conference and Exposition in Orlando, FL. AALA will award you with a star every time you Capture the Magic. Attend meetings, get a star; recruit members, get a star; volunteer for a committee or section, get a star. So, Capture the Magic of AALA this year, and collect your stars. Check our website homepage often to see your star status in the game and who is in the running for the scholarship. The top 25 members with the most stars will be entered into a drawing at the 2010 Holiday Luncheon for the scholarship. Members do not have to be present to win. Click here to see who is currently on the...

AALA Sections

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:30:10 GMT

The Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators is committed to providing valuable, educational resources to our members. Through our section meetings, members can enrich their professional growth by gaining knowledge on specific areas of management relative to their work. Speakers and round-table discussions provide members the opportunity to stay current on the ever changing trends in management, learn from their peers and share their own experiences. Section meetings are chaired by chapter volunteers who recognize the value they can offer to the chapter by their gift of service and who understand the professional growth they can achieve by serving. If you are interested in chairing a section, please click here. For more information on a particular section, please click on the title of that section. You may also contact the Chairperson for more information. ALA Webinar Lori Bearden (404) 230-6770 CLM Study Group James Gillespie (404) 525-8622 Corporate /...

ALA Antitrust Rules

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:28:43 GMT

It is imperative that every professional association member, regardless of the size of the association of the size of those comprising the membership, refrain from indulging in an activity which may be the basis of a federal or state antitrust action.

Please note the following excerpts from the ALA Antitrust Guide:

There are four main areas of antitrust concern for professional associations: price fixing, membership, standardization and certification, and industry self-regulation. The area of greatest concern, for it is the area where individual members are most likely to violate the law and the areas where the government appears most concerned, is price fixing.

Price fixing includes any concerted effort or action which has an effect on prices or on competition
Penalties for violating federal or state antitrust laws are severe
Violations could implicate you, your employer and ALA in potential criminal and civil litigation
Refrain from any discussion which may provide the basis for or inference that members agreed to take action relating to prices, production, allocation or markets or any other matter having a market effect.

The following -- while not the only ones -- should not be discussed between or among ALA members at any time:

Current or future billing rates, fees, disbursement charges or other items that could be construed as "price," including interest charges
What is a fair profit; billing rate or wage level
An increase or decrease in price, fees or wages, or disbursement charges
Standardization or stabilizing prices, fees or wages or disbursement charges
Current billing or fee procedures
Imposition of credit terms or the amount thereof
Refusing to deal with anyone because of his/her pricing or fees; and
Do not complain to a competitor that his/her billing rates, fees or wages constitute unfair trade practices.

If you would like a copy of the Antitrust Guide brochure or have any questions, please contact Jennifer Brinkley.

AALA Board Responsibilities

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:54:29 GMT

Chapter President The President creates an agenda for and presides at each monthly Board of Director's Meeting. The President attends all Chapter Meetings and announces any new business or old business to the membership. The President responds to questions from members, other Board Members and vendors. The President signs-off on all membership applications for ALA and makes certain that accurate membership records are maintained. The President works with the Regional Directors, Officers and the headquarters staff for the recognition of the Chapter and its members and is responsible for maintaining contact with those individuals in order to keep members apprised of activities. The President is asked to make a concerted effort to attend the annual and regional conferences as well as the Chapter Leadership Institute. Past Presidents 2009 Marianne Lawhead 2008 Carol Coombs 2007 Jeff Hamrick 2006 Carole Morris 2005 Kristi Smith 2004 Michael Stephens ...

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:08:26 GMT

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!

AALA Board Profiles

Mon, 24 May 2010 12:33:58 GMT

Dina Wolfe President Office Administrator Slutzky, Wolfe and Bailey, LLP dwolfe@atlanta-ala.com Dina is the Office Administrator of Slutzky, Wolfe and Bailey, LLP. She has been with the firm for 12 years and in her current position for 8 years. Dina has been a member of the ALA since 1999 while she was acting as a paralegal and assistant to her predecessor with the firm. Dina has been actively involved with the Small Firm Section of AALA since she became a member. She has attended four national conferences and two regional conference. Dina is a native of Atlanta and currently resides in Powder Springs with her husband, Brad, and three children, Maggie, Connor and Molly. Will Lee President-Elect Firm Administrator Goodman, McGuffy, Lindsey & Johnson, LLP wlee@atlanta-ala.com Will is the Firm Administrator for Goodman, McGuffy, Lindsey & Johnson, LLP. Will has been a Legal Administrator since 1985 managing law firms in New Orleans, Louisiana;...

ALA Value in Partnership

Mon, 03 May 2010 20:19:24 GMT

Did you know that Vendors also sponsor the ALA on a national level? If you haven't found what you need from our Atlanta Business Partners, please consider choosing a National Business Partner.

Click here to search the ALA Legal Marketplace.

ALA also has benefit programs that are of value not only to members, but also to their employers and families. ALA currently offers programs in cooperation with:

ALA Value in Partnership (VIP)^sm Program

ABA Retirement Funds
Berger/Alllied: Agent for Allied Van Lines
Grand & Toy (Canada Only)
GLJ Benefit Consultants
The Gunlocke Company (Office Furniture)
John Hancock Life Insurance Company
Mayflower Transit (Darryl Flood Mobility Solutions)
OfficeMax® Legal Solutions
Principal Life Insurance Company
Quill® Corporation
Robert Half Legal
Thompson Reuters myPay Solutions
United Parcel Service

AALA Board of Directors

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:32:18 GMT

The Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators (AALA) Board of Directors serves as the governing body of the association with full power and authority to conduct, manage, and direct the business of the association. They are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Atlanta chapter. Dina Wolfe President Will Lee President-Elect Marianne Lawhead Past President Sarah Turner Secretary Sheri Rowand Treasurer Elena Lee Director of Membership Jack Huddleston Director of eNewsletter Joe McAdams Director of Vendor Relations Amanda Davis Director of eCommunications Jennifer Brinkley Chapter Manager

AALA Membership

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:31:26 GMT

The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), an international organization, currently has 10,000 members and 104 chapters located throughout the United States, Canada, England and New Zealand. The Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators (AALA) currently has over 200 members, making AALA one of the larger chapters of ALA in the United States.

Membership in ALA provides an opportunity for individuals to keep abreast of industry standards and changes, an outlet by which to take advantage of educational opportunities and also the chance to meet and work with other members of the administrative legal community.

Learn more about ALA and AALA.

ALA Member Benefits

AALA Brochure (PDF Format)

ALA provides the following privileges to its members:

The Legal Management Resource Center
ALA Online
Management Solutions - The ALA Reference Desk
Publications - Legal Management and ALA News
Educational Opportunities
Professional Certification - The Certified Legal Manager (CLM)^SM
Products - Management Resources Catalog
Career Services
Participation in Annual Compensation Survey

At the local level, membership includes:

Access to Monthly Lunches & Section Meetings
Chapter Member Mentor Program
Membership Directory
Chapter Newsletter
Access to Chapter Web Site Member's Area and Email Exchange

AALA members come from a variety of law firms and legal corporate legal departments. The dues are reasonable and the benefits tremendous. Membership rates to join ALA are $350 per year. Once a member of ALA, you are eligible to become a member of the Atlanta Chapter for $175 annually. For further information on ALA membership requirements, please contact our Director of Membership, Elena Lee.

Contact Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 02:55:13 GMT

Please use the following telephone / e-mail directory when inquiring about Chapter services and general information. Please contact our Webmaster if you need technical assistance. If you can not find what you are looking for, please let us know and provide us with contact information at the bottom of this page and we will promptly follow-up with you. Thank you! AALA Board of Directors President Dina Wolfe 770-438-8000 President-Elect Will Lee 404-926-4121 Treasurer Sheri Rowand 404-815-3398 Secretary Sarah Turner 404-541-2911 Director...

Welcome New AALA Members!

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:01:18 GMT

Please welcome our newest AALA members!

Donna Jackson
Office Manager
Kessler, Schwarz & Solomiany, PC

Heatherly Rachelle Jones
Office/Business Manager
Hartman Simons

Brandi Rose
Human Resources Generalist

Troutman Sanders LLP

Michael Ryan
Director of Client Financial Services
Arnall Golden Gregory LLP

AALA Business Partnership Program

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:48:49 GMT

Special thanks to the vendors partnering with the AALA in 2010: Titanium Level Sponsor Paces Legal Staffing Platinum Level Sponsors Document Technologies Paramount Staffing Diamond Level Sponsors IKON Lan-Tech, Inc. The McCart Group Gold Level Sponsors The 680 Group at UBS Financial Services Cambridge Professional Group IST Management Services, Inc. Milner Voice & Data Silver Level Sponsors Atlanta Laser Connection Bank of North Georgia Esquire Deposition Solutions FirstPro, Inc. Graebel/Atlanta Movers, Inc. The Inn at Serenbe Kopier Net millicare by Trilogyfm Royal Cup Coffee Special Counsel SunTrust Bronze Level Sponsors Adams Data Management ALL-STATE LEGAL Artlite Office Supply Company Barnsley Garden Resort Beacon Hill Legal BlueWave Computing Blumberg Excelsior, Inc. Cash Management Solutions Connect Staffing, Inc. CORT CourierNet, Inc. DeKalb Office Environments Elite Archives Elite Telecom Services Equitrac Corporation Firm Tech, Inc. Freedom Court Reporting...

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:24:05 GMT

The 2010 AALA Business Partnership Program is now closed.

Click here to download the full brochure which includes the 2010 benefit grid and then check back with us in November when the 2011 program begins. If you have any questions regarding becoming an AALA Business Partner in the future, please contact our Director of Vendor Relations for more information!

Click here for a listing of the 2010 AALA Business Partners!

Get Involved!

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:41:03 GMT

AALA offers a wide variety of committees and study groups you can join, with meetings you can attend, which offer leadership opportunities for your personal and professional growth. Enjoy networking with your peers and attending educational seminars! Committees & Sections are a great way to become more involved with AALA and your community.

Get Connected with AALA Committees

Stay Informed with AALA Sections

Our Chapter

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:30:51 GMT

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 250 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. AALA Chapter Timeline ...

About the ALA

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:07:34 GMT

The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) was formed in 1971 to provide support to professionals involved in the management of law firms, corporate legal departments and government legal agencies. ALA provides educational opportunities and services to more than 10,000 members in 28 countries. ALA is structured into six regions with more than 100 chapters in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and New Zealand. ALA’s mission is to “promote and enhance the competence and professionalism of legal administrators and all members of the management team; improve the quality of management in law firms and other legal service organizations; and represent professional legal management and managers to the legal community and to the community at large.” Susan French Koran ALA President The association’s members are law office administrators who manage such areas as finance, human resources, systems and technology, facilities, marketing and practice...