The Association of Legal Administrators Jacksonville Chapter provides support to professionals involved in the management of law firms, corporate legal departments and government legal agencies.
The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) is the undisputed leader for the business of law, focused on the delivery of cutting-edge management and leadership products and services to the global legal community. Their mission is to identify and provide solutions to the most strategic and operational challenges their members and customers face today, while preparing them for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.
AALM: What are your goals for the association in the coming year?
ALA: This year, we want to strengthen and grow both our membership and our business partnerships by continuing to provide valuable education and networking opportunities. We especially want to help our members stay on top of the changing legal industry trends and technology resources to help them navigate the changing virtual environment.
AALM: Tell us about some upcoming events the association has planned for members.
ALA: We hope to be able to return to some of our popular annual events such as the Casino Night, Family Bonanza Baseball Event, Managing Partner Annual Event, and monthly lunches with members and Business Partners. This past year, we were happy to be able to get together virtually for Painting with a Twist and have a socially distant Movie Night at the Jumbo Shrimp Stadium. Also, the ALA Board hosted a Ho Ho Homicide Murder Mystery for members which was a lot of fun, but we have all decided to keep our day jobs.
AALM: Tell us about any current or planned partnerships with other local associations. How will these partnerships benefit members?
ALA: Our ALA Jacksonville Chapter supports Hubbard House. This year, we are having a Hubbard House representative speak to our chapter about how Legal Administrators can recognize warning signs in employees who are experiencing domestic violence and how workplaces can help.
AALM: What benefits are there to attorneys who become actively involved in the association?
ALA: Attorneys can keep up with the latest legal industry innovations and learn best practices from our speakers at our monthly chapter meetings. Each month, our chapter has speakers share a wealth of knowledge to our members. Some topics include new tax laws, technology among the legal industry, managing stress, and other useful topics to the legal management community of our ALA Chapter.
AALM: What changes in the legal community does the leadership anticipate will affect the association and its members? How are they seeking to overcome these challenges or benefit from the advancements?
ALA: The trend towards virtual communication from virtual court hearings for attorneys to remote work for staff have resulted in many changes in the legal industry this past year. As a chapter, we have conducted virtual events this year to maintain our community and support each other and will continue to do so in the new year. We collaborate on best practices for how firms are managing different issues throughout the pandemic and implement those in our own firms.
