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| Welcome to the Mississippi Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. ("MALA") |
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| We are a professional organization dedicated to the paralegal profession. We support legal assistants by promoting professional development, education, and the Certified Legal Assistants ("CLA") and Certified Legal Assistant Specialist ("CLAS") examinations. Please contact us concerning membership or for additional information about MALA. |
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| Purpose of MALA |
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| The Mississippi Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. ("MALA") was founded in 1980 by legal assistants in Mississippi who wished to encourage a high order of ethical and professional attainment. The main purpose of MALA is to promote the profession of the legal assistant or paralegal. MALA supports, encourages and maintain high standards for the service, conduct and ethics of legal assistants. MALA members have the opportunity to further their education through MALA sponsored meetings and seminars. Members are also able to maintain a close tie with county, state and national bar associations as well as with other members of the legal community. MALA is kept abreast of national affairs and news through their affiliation with the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. |
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| What is a Legal Assistant? |
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| A legal assistant
is "a person, qualified by education, training or work experience
who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation,
governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated
substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible". (ABA
Standing Committee on legal assistants)
To become a legal assistant, one either receives formal education or in-house training. In Mississippi, there are several legal assistant degree programs offered. One may obtain a Baccalaureate Degree in Paralegal Studies from a four-year college or university or obtain an Associates Degree in Paralegal studies from a junior or community college. A legal assistant that is trained in-house as well as those legal assistants with a formal education, can take the Certified Legal Assistant ("CLA") examination offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. ("NALA") to distinguish themselves as trained, successful legal assistants. For more information about the CLA examination, please click here. |
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| MALA Information |
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If you would like more information regarding the Mississippi Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., please send your request to: Mississippi
Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. |