Objects and Purpose

• To establish good fellowship among association members, the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., and members of the legal community.
• To encourage a high order of ethical and professional attainment.
• To further education among members of the profession.
• To cooperate with bar associations.
• To support and carry out the programs, purposes, aims and goals of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.

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Seminar Information

One of the main objectives of MALA is to provide its members with continuing education opportunities. To attain this objective, MALA bylaws require that the association hold a minimum of four educational events or a total of ten hours of education during each fiscal year. MALA usually exceeds the ten hour requirement and holds two full-day and two half-day seminars each year. One of the half-day seminars are offered free to MALA members (the value of this alone, exceeds the annual dues of $25.00).

If you would like to be included on MALA's mailing list to receive flyers of upcoming educational events, please sign our guest book and mark the Seminar box at the bottom OR send an email to mala@montana.com,providing your name, address and an indication that you want to be included on the seminar mailing list.

Membership

Membership in MALA is based on requirements approved by association members. There is only one membership category which includes legal assistants who are working under the direct supervision of an attorney, students and graduates of legal assistant programs, attorneys or paralegal educators, and persons acting, or who have acted in the past, in a legal assistant capacity.

All members may vote and hold office in the association.

MALA currently has 26 members from throughout the State of Montana (including Billings,  Hamilton, Helena, Libby, and Missoula).

As an affiliate of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA), all members are governed by the NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

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MALA is the only NALA affiliate in Montana

Affiliation membership allows CLA testing opportunities within the state not available for non-members

Continuing legal education

You can establish contacts within the legal community and promote the professionalism and utilization of legal assistants

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If you would like to apply for membership, please go to our application page, fill out the application, print it, sign it and mail it with your check to the address indicated on the form. (Please note that the application page will not print correctly on some printers. Because of that, you may wish to first complete a couple of fields and perform a test print before completing the entire form. If you are unable to print the form, please either send us an e-mail via mala@montana.com requesting an application or sign our guest book and mark the application box at the bottom.) The dues of the association are $25.00 per year, due September 1 of each year. Dues are not prorated.

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           A Designation of Proxy form may be submitted in the event a member cannot attend a meeting.

Christine Shoopman receives the 2007 Affiliates Award

at the 32nd NALA Annual Convention in New Orleans

(Chris is pictured with Tita Brewster, ACP, President of NALA)

DOVES (Domestic Violence Education & Services), a private, non-profit crime victim advocate organization located in Polson, Montana, is seeking a legal assistant.  Candidate must be detailed-oriented team player, have a great attitude, professional demeanor, and stable work history.  Responsibilities will include calendaring, scheduling appointments, data entry, preparation of court documents, and assisting Attorney and Executive Director as needed.  Microsoft Word at 70+ wpm, excellent work product, spelling, grammar and proofreading.  Knowledge of court rules and discovery a plus.  Willing to train right person. Competitive salary and benefits.  Salary $12-$15/hour, DOE.  Pre-hire background check will be performed.  Send a letter of interest, resume and three references to DOVES E.D., PO Box 1773, Polson, MT 59860.  Position will be open until filled.  This is grant-funded position, for a two-year period.

November 16, 2007

Small family law firm seeking a full-time paralegal/legal assistant.  We are looking for someone who has strong organization and project management skills.  Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills to interact with clients and co-workers as well as computer word processing, database and spreadsheet skills.  Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with fluctuating priorities and deadlines.  Three or more years related experience preferred.  Compensation DOE.  Send resume to PO Box 5988, Missoula, MT 59806.

November 16, 2007

Missoula plaintiff firm seeks full-time legal assistant/paralegal.  Excellent working atmosphere, with very competitive salary and benefits.  Must have litigation experience, 3 years minimum.  Position involves all aspects of case management, docketing and document production.  Available immediately.  Contact Laurie Bersanti at Buxbaum Daue & Fitzpatrick for further information and application.  888-771-8677

If your business has an opening for a paralegal position and you would like it listed on this home page, please send an E-mail to mala@montana.com with the details. This information will be left on the home page for approximately three weeks unless we are notified that you would like it to remain longer.

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Links to Law Related Sites

	LAW RELATED
	National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA) Home Page
	Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory -- searchable
	Katsuey Kat's Legal Links -- searchable site with links to law related sites
	Courts Net -- Directory listings for courts across the U.S.
	Legal Pad -- Searchable index of legal related Internet Resources
	The University of Montana School of Law
	The Law Engine - This site contains links to many law related sites as well as to search engines
	COURTS
	Missoula County, Fourth Judicial District Court
	Montana Workers' Compensation Court
	U.S. District Court, District of Montana
	U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Montana
	OPINIONS, STATUTES, RULES
	National Legal Research Group -- Federal Statutes and Regulations (U.S.C., C.F.R. & F.R.) searchable
	Legal Information Institute -- Federal Constitution, Statutes, Codes; Bills, Hearings, etc. from and about U.S. Senate & House Of Representatives; State Statutes by Topic; and more
	Find Law -- Cases, codes and Law Reviews are searchable at this site
	Federal Rules of Civil Procedure are searchable at this site
	Montana Code / Administrative Rules of Montana, 1995 - 2003 Codes, Administrative Rules of Montana, and Montana Constitution and 1972 Constitutional Convention
	United States Code (Searchable by Title and Section)
	PEOPLE LOCATORS
	Reverse Phone Directory
	Four 11 -- Internet White Pages - Directories: E-mail; Telephone; Net Phone; Government; and more
	Switchboard -- Find people/businesses
	MISC.
	Internet Public Library -- Library: Reference; Education; Arts & Humanities; Health & Medical Science; Law, Government & Political Science; Business & Economics; and more
	State Law Library of Montana
	Montana State Library
	Missoula Public Library

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