Join us

Please complete the membership application MALA Membership Application 2018.pdf and submit it with your check for $30.00 made payable to the Montana Association of Legal Assistants, or apply online and pay only $26.00 and email the Attestation Information.pdf and appropriate documentation to mala@malanet.org and mail the check to the following address.  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 Membership.  Only Active Members may vote and hold office in the Association.

Membership Type:

Active Member (VOTING):  This membership comes with full voting rights.  Active membership is open to any individual who meets at least one of the following requirements (please check one):

•  i.  Any individual who has successfully completed the Certified Paralegal (“CP”) examination of NALA and is currently in good standing as a CP with NALA  (Copy of Certificate required), or
• ii. Any individual who has graduated from an American Bar Association (“ABA”) approved program of study for paralegals, (Copy of Degree/Diploma) or
• iii. Any individual who has graduated from a course of study for paralegals, which is institutionally accredited but not ABA approved, and which requires no less than the equivalent of sixty (60) semester hours of classroom study, (Copy of Diploma) or
• iv. Any individual who has graduated from a course of study for paralegals other than those set forth in ii and iii above, plus not less than six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is qualified as a paralegal, (Completed Attorney Attestation) or
• v. Any individual who has received a baccalaureate degree in any field, plus not less than six (6) months in-house training as a paralegal, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is qualified as a paralegal, (Completed Attorney Attestation) or
• vi. Any individual who has a minimum of two (2) years of law related experience under the supervision of an attorney, including at least six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is qualified as a paralegal, (Completed Attorney Attestation) or
• vii. Any individual who has a minimum of one (1) year of in-house training as a paralegal, whose attorney-employer attests that such person is qualified as a paralegal (Completed Attorney Attestation).

Student Member (NON-VOTING):  

Student membership is open to any individual who is a full-time or part-time student in good standing in any college, junior college, community college, or other school pursuing a course of study as a paralegal.  A student that has graduated from the above outlined paralegal educational programs may retain their membership status as a student member for one year after the date of their graduation or until such time as they qualify as an Active member.  This classification of membership has no voting rights and those members of this classification cannot serve as an officer, director, committee chairperson, or member of the Executive Committee.

Associate Member (NON-VOTING):  

Associate membership is open to any individual new to the paralegal industry who do not qualify for membership under MALA’s Active or Student membership types listed above, or those individuals who are members of the Bar Associations endorsing the paralegal concept or involved in the promotion of the paralegal profession; those individuals who are members of the educational field endorsing the paralegal concept or involved in the promotion of the paralegal profession; and those persons involved in the supervision of paralegals and not actively working as a paralegal. This classification of membership has no voting rights and those members of this classification cannot serve as an officer, director, committee chairperson, or member of the Executive Committee.  This classification of membership may be a member of any committee, except Executive committee, and may have a vote on the committee, but cannot serve as the committee Chairperson. Once the Associate Member has acquired more experience and/or education, the Associate Member may be converted to an Active MALA membership type with all the rights of an active MALA membership.