1. What Are The Qualifications For Membership?

2. How Do I Become A Member?

3. Why Should I Join Nals Of West Michigan?

4. Who Do I Contact With Regard To Membership Questions?

5. When Was Nals Of West Michigan Founded And Who Are The Members?

1. WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP?
Individual members consist of those persons engaged in work of a legal nature and who agree to comply with the NALS Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

2. HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
Go to the NALS Benefits Page and choose from the following options:

On the NALS website, choose the method you want to use to apply, fill out the NALS Membership Application, select a method of payment, and submit your application. You then just sit back and will receive your new member package from the NALS Resource Center within four weeks.

3. WHY SHOULD I JOIN NALS of WEST MICHIGAN?
Opportunities for professional and personal development are plenty when you join NALS of West Michigan. NALS of West Michigan is part of a tri-level organization composed of NALS (national level), NALS of Michigan (state level), and NALS of West Michigan (local level). 

NALS of West Michigan offers top-notch professional growth through seminars, a quality newsletter, and local, state, regional and national networking.

Specifically, NALS of West Michigan supports its members by providing the following benefits:

                      ALS^® basic certification

                      PLS^® advanced certification

                      Professional Paralegal certification

                      Fall and Spring Seminars Series

                      Educational Presentations at monthly meetings

4. WHO DO I CONTACT WITH REGARD TO MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS?
Lisa L. Boyd, NALS of West Michigan Vice President

Legal Aid of Western Michigan

89 Ionia Ave, NW, Suite 400
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

(616) 774-0672, ext. 113

5. WHEN WAS NALS of WEST MICHIGAN FOUNDED AND WHO ARE THE MEMBERS?
Since 1967, NALS of West Michigan has been and continues to be the premiere, local association for professional legal support staff, providing many opportunities to improve individual performance and enhance knowledge of the legal profession through continuing legal education, networking with peers, NALS of West Michigan publication Dateline West Michigan, and certification study groups. Initially called Grand Rapids Association of Legal Secretaries (GRALS) and then Grand Rapids Associations of Legal Support Professionals (GRALSP), our chapter changed its name to NALS of West Michigan to keep in line with the evolving nature of our profession.

6. WHAT DO ALL THE ACRONYMS MEAN?

ALS . . . the basic certification for legal professionals: The ALS designation is an attainable goal for someone entering the legal support field. Demonstrate your acceptance of the challenge while improving your on-the-job skills in the areas of communication, accounting, office administration, ethics and legal procedures.

PLS . . . the advanced certification for legal professionals: The certified PLS designation is the best way to show off your expertise in areas including legal terminology and procedures, ethics, office procedures, and communication skills. That could mean more money and more opportunities for you, or it could mean doing a better job for your present employer! The PLS certification is recommended by the American Council on Education ("ACE") as valuable college credit for as much as 27 semester hours.

PP: Professional Paralegal:  This is the newest of the NALS Certifications and was developed by paralegals for paralegals.

Each of these three certifications are developed by NALS and take advantage of the more than 75 years of experience and dedication to the legal services industry only NALS has to offer.

JOIN NOW!!

Frequently Asked Questions always seem to be a topic for discussion in membership. Not only do our current members have questions -- we also find that potential members, new members, educators, students, attorneys, our local legal community, and the general public have questions concerning NALS of West Michigan. We hope that in this area of the NALS of West Michigan website, we will answer some of your most pressing questions. If not, please contact Lisa L. Boyd of West Michigan Vice President and Membership Chair.