Join us

Please complete the membership application above, or print the application here and submit it with your check made payable to the Montana Association of Legal Assistants.  Please email the Attestation and appropriate documentation to mala@malanet.org.  We look forward to hearing from you!!

MALA Vice President/Membership Chair                                                                                                                                                              P.O. Box 9016                                                                                                                                                                                               Missoula, MT 59807-9016

Why Join MALA?

• MALA offers outstanding CLEs; our members pay a reduced fee to attend.  Student members are charged even less;
• MALA is the only paralegal organization in Montana affiliated with the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA);
• MALA members are eligible for NALA Certified Paralegal testing opportunities that are not available to non-members;
• MALA has a representative to the Paralegal Section of the Montana Bar Association;
• MALA members receive updates on national and local legislation affecting our profession;
• Membership in a professional paralegal organization impresses prospective employers.  It tells them you are serious about working in the legal field and you are committed to learning and progressing throughout your career;
• Membership will help you meet other, more established paralegals who specialize in various areas of the law;
• MALA has a student/new paralegal mentoring program where you can be matched with a paralegal who works in the area in which you plan to specialize; and
• MALA frequently becomes aware of job openings throughout the state. Employers are encouraged to notify us of their job openings and we post them on our website, free of charge.  This portion of the website is restricted to MALA members only.

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Membership in our Association is based on requirements approved by Association members.  There are three membership categories which includes Active Membership, Student Membership and Associate/Sustaining Membership.  Only Active Members may vote and hold office in the Association.

Membership Types:

Active Membership (VOTING) 
Open to individuals who meet at least one of the following qualifications:

• Successfully completed NALA's Certified Paralegal Exam. (Copy of Certificate Required)
• Graduated from an ABA-approved paralegal program. (Copy of Degree/Diploma)
• Graduated from an institutionally accredited program with not less than the equivalent of 60 semester hours of classroom study. (Copy of Diploma)
• Graduated from a paralegal program not listed above, but has no less than six months of in-house training as a paralegal, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is a qualified paralegal. (Completed Attorney Attestation)
• Holds a baccalaureate degree in any field, plus not less than six months of in-house training as a paralegal, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is a qualified paralegal. (Completed Attorney Attestation)
• Minimum of three years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney, including at least six months of in-house training as a paralegal, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is qualified as a paralegal. (Completed Attorney Attestation)

• Minimum of one year of in-house training as a paralegal, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is a qualified paralegal. (Completed Attorney Attestation)

Associate / Sustaining Membership (NON-VOTING)

Open to any individuals new to the paralegal industry who do not qualify for  membership under MALA’s Active or Student membership types  and who meet at least one of the following qualifications:

Associate Membership

• Member of bar association endorsing the paralegal concept or involved in the promotion of the paralegal profession.
• Individual involved in the educational field who endorses the paralegal concept or is involved in the promotion of the paralegal profession.
• Supervisor of paralegals.

Sustaining Membership

• Open to individuals, law firms, corporations, and paralegal program representatives who endorse the paralegal concept or are actively involved in the promotion of the paralegal profession.

Student Membership (NON-VOTING) 
Open to individuals who meet the following qualifications:

• Enrolled student (taking at least 5 semester hours in the current session or upcoming) in good standing in any university, college, junior college, or other approved school pursuing a course of study as a paralegal.
• Not currently employed as a paralegal.