Details about . . . CLA^® or CP^® ?

• Paralegal or Legal Assistant

• Instructions for using the CP^® certification mark
   

• Need a new certificate?

Paralegal or Legal Assistant

NALA has long stated that the terms "legal assistant" and "paralegal" are synonymous terms.  This is not a choice or opinion of NALA, but a fact - the terms are defined as such throughout the United States in state supreme court rules, statutes, ethical opinions, bar association guidelines and other similar documents. These are the same documents which provide recognition of the legal assistant profession and encourage the use of legal assistants in the delivery of legal services.

However, the association has become increasingly aware that while the terms are the same as "lawyer" and "attorney" preference in terms is emerging - different geographic areas use one term more than another.  For this reason, we have filed for a certification mark "CP" with the US Patent and Trademark Office.  The certification mark CP^®  was successfully registered on July 20, 2004.

In addition, we have redesigned the CLA certificate to encourage those who have completed the CLA certification to use either CLA or CP as their professional credential.  Many may prefer to use the mark "CLA" because of its recognition throughout the legal community, however, the term "Certified Paralegal" may be used with it, as well.

Suggested signature lines include the following:
 

If you would like to receive

A new certificate, please contact NALA Headquarters via phone 918-587-6828 or e-mail nalanet@nala.org  (on the subject line of your e-mail, please state  “Request for NEW CP Certificate”).

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