Welcome to the Web Page of the Nebraska Association of Legal Assistants
Your source for information about our association and legal assistant professionals in Nebraska. Whether you are an experienced legal assistant/paralegal, a student in a legal assistant educational program, an employer of legal assistants, or otherwise interested in the legal assistant profession, we believe NeALA has much to offer.
About NeALA
The Nebraska Association of Legal Assistants ("NeALA") is a non-profit association formed to promote the legal assistant profession in Nebraska. NeALA was founded in 1976 and in 1977 affiliated with the National Association of Legal Assistants ("NALA"). Every member of NeALA is bound by NALA's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
Legal assistants, also known as paralegals, are a distinguishable group of professionals who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training, and experience, legal assistants have knowledge and experience regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law that qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney. In all 50 states, legal assistants are prohibited from practicing law. They cannot represent a client in court or give legal advice. Legal assistants are employed in private law offices, corporations, and governmental agencies.
NeALA supports legal assistants through continuing education programs. We disseminate information about the profession, offer a job bank for employers and those seeking employment as legal assistants, offer a mentoring program for students and newcomers to the profession, and publish a newsletter, the In Brief. We hold regular membership meetings featuring educational programs and social events. NeALA fosters communication among legal assistants and serves as a forum for the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Our association promotes the educational, professional and ethical standards for legal assistants. We provide networking opportunities for members, as well as legal assistant students and other legal professionals.
Our membership comprises almost 200 legal assistants, educators, attorneys, and representatives of companies providing services to the legal community.