NALA Professional Development Committee (PDC)

Issued by NALA - The Paralegal Association

The PDC is responsible for maintaining the NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility; maintaining the NALA Model Standards and Guidelines for Utilization of Paralegals; providing articles for NALA's publication; overseeing the research and publishing of the biennial National Utilization and Compensation Survey; keeping up to date on summaries, opinions, and case law affecting the paralegal profession; and overseeing the creation of professional development courses.

Type Experience
Level Intermediate
Time Years

Additional Details

Skills

Case Law
Dedicated
Leadership
Paralegal
Professional Experience
Professional Responsibility
Research
Surveys

Earning Criteria

Members are appointed for three-year terms. Terms of appointment shall be staggered as set forth in the policies and procedures of the Corporation. The Ethics Chairperson is on this committee
The NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility is the foundation of ethical practices of paralegals in the legal community. A paralegal must adhere strictly to the accepted standards of legal ethics and to the general principles of proper conduct. The canons are a general guide intended to aid paralegals and attorneys. Court rules, agency rules, and statutes must be taken into consideration when interpreting the canons.
Model Standards and Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegals is to provide references to the existing case law and other authorities where the underlying issues have been considered. The authorities cited will serve as a basis upon which conduct of a paralegal may be analyzed as proper or improper. The Model represents a statement of how the paralegal may function. The Model is not intended to be a comprehensive or exhaustive list of the proper duties of a paralegal.
NALA’s award-winning quarterly journal, Facts & Findings, is a premier source of information designed specifically for paralegals. This magazine offers the best educational articles written by paralegals, attorneys, and other experts. In addition to feature articles, each issue includes columns on ethics, technology, and software.
The NALA Utilization and Compensation Survey is conducted every two years. The survey analysis includes reviews of current findings in comparison with findings of previous surveys. Economic data is presented in terms of such factors as the size of the city, size of the firm, educational backgrounds, years of experience, and specialty area of practice.