Awards

Awards

We believe that hard work and dedication should be acknowledged, and the NALA Awards Program does just that. It has become a great way to recognize our exceptional members and affiliates for their contributions to the paralegal profession.

Founders' Award

To recognize extraordinary or outstanding contributions to the growth and future of the paralegal profession which impacted or affected the paralegal profession in a positive manner for a significant period of time.

Award Benefits Include:

  • Recognition during Annual Membership Meeting at Conference
  • Travel expenses paid by NALA – per diem (2 days), 1-night hotel, round-trip coach airfare, and Day 1 registration fee

Individual or organization. Does not have to be a NALA member. (Current NALA board of directors and committee members are not eligible)

Must have played a significant part in creating, developing and/or promoting an important and distinctive writing or program which positively impacted the paralegal profession nationwide for not less than 3 years. Former recipients include past NALA presidents, law firms that have supported the paralegal profession, attorneys that have contributed to the growth of NALA, paralegal educators, and many more.

NALA Active type member in good standing

President’s Award

To recognize the outstanding accomplishments of NALA members and their contribution to the future of the paralegal profession.

Award Benefits Include:

  • Recognition during Annual Membership Meeting at Conference
  • Travel expenses paid by NALA – per diem (2 days), 1-night hotel, round-trip airfare, and Day 1 registration fee
  1. Current Active type member of NALA
  2. Must have been an Active type member of NALA for at least two (2) years
  3. Five (5) years’ experience in the paralegal profession (current NALA Board of Directors and committee members are not eligible)

Significant accomplishment or achievement through their leadership activities within NALA and NALA Affiliated Associations.

NALA Active type member in good standing

Unsung Heroes Hall of Fame Award

To recognize long time NALA members who have served on the NALA Board and/or NALA Committees for their leadership, dedication, and extraordinary contributions to NALA and its members.

Award Benefits Include:

  • Recognition during Annual Membership Meeting at Conference
  • Recognition in NALA’s Facts & Findings journal, and other outlets

Current NALA member (including lifetime membership) who has retired from the NALA Board and/or NALA Committees, must have been an Active type NALA member for at least 10 continuous years, and must have served on the NALA Board and/or NALA Committees for at least 10 years

Demonstrated leadership as a board or committee member, including outstanding and extraordinary contributions to the growth of the future of NALA, its membership, and/or certification development

Unsung Heroes Hall of Fame Nomination Committee.

If you have someone you would like to suggest for this award please email Deb Overstreet at doverstreet@nala.org.

Deadline: January 15

View Past Award Recipients

 

Certified Paralegal Champion Award

To recognize outstanding achievement by an individual or by a NALA Affiliated Association in promoting and advancing NALA’s Certified Paralegal Program within the legal profession.

Award Benefits Include:

  • Recognition in NALA’s Facts & Findings journal and other outlets

(1) Current member of NALA; (2) May be a Certified Paralegal, Advanced Certified Paralegal, non-paralegal, attorney, or educator (Current NALA Board of Directors, committee members, and current Certifying Board Members not eligible for the individual award)

(1) Demonstrates commitment to growth and expansion of the Certified Paralegal Program (2) Recognizes and promotes the Certified Paralegal Program as a national professional standard for paralegals; (3) Demonstrates passion and enthusiasm in the Certified Paralegal Program advocacy and outreach within the association as well as in the community, state or region (including with employers, educators, governmental associations, bar associations or other applicable affinity groups; (4) Demonstrates creative or innovative strategies in promoting and encouraging participation in the Certified Paralegal Program; (5) Demonstrates leadership and collaboration in offering, forming, or mentoring CP exam study groups, seminars, or other forums to assist member and non-members in preparing for the exam; (6) Encourages a high level of professional achievement.

NALA Active type member or NALA Affiliated Association in good standing

Student of the Year Award

To recognize outstanding achievement by a full-time student in good standing at any college, junior college, or other school pursuing a course of study as a paralegal.

Award Benefits Include:

  • Recognition during Annual Membership Meeting at Conference
  • Travel expenses paid by NALA – per diem (2 days), 1-night hotel, round-trip coach airfare, and Day 1 registration fee
  • Certified Paralegal Exam Fundamentals Book
  • CP Review Course Webinar Bundle

Current student members of NALA in good standing

(1) Enrolled for a minimum of 6 semester hours or equivalent; (2) Performed academic excellence (minimum 3.0 GPA); (3) Involved in a national, state, or local professional association; (4) Designated for an academic or professional recommendation; (5) Demonstrated dedication to the paralegal profession and legal community

Anyone, including self

Rising Star Award

To recognize exemplary service to the paralegal profession by a person who has been a paralegal for less than five years.

Award Benefits Include:

  • Recognition in NALA’s Facts & Findings journal and other outlets

Current member of NALA in good standing (current NALA Board and committee members are not eligible)

(1) Demonstrates leadership (ie is a committee or board member, presents an educational program, serves as a mentor); (2) Demonstrates personal commitment; (ie. contributes to legal publications, serves on a committee, assists at conference); (3) Promotes NALA to the legal community (ie. attends other events or pro bono services); (4) Models high ethical conduct; (5) Recognizes leadership/engagement efforts

NALA Active type member in good standing

Volunteer of the Year Award

To recognize exemplary service to the paralegal profession and its members by a person who has been a paralegal for at least five years.

Award Benefits Include:

  • Recognition in NALA’s Facts & Findings journal and other outlets

Current member of NALA in good standing (current NALA Board of Directors and committee members are not eligible)

(1) Demonstrates leadership (ie. is a committee or board member, presents an educational program, serves as a mentor); (2) Demonstrates personal commitment; (ie. contributes to legal publications, serves on a committee, assists at conference); (3) Promotes NALA to the legal community (ie. attends other events or pro bono services); (4) Models high ethical conduct; (5) Recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions

NALA Active type member

NALA Affiliated Associations Pinnacle Award

To recognize the achievements and contributions of an individual affiliate member, a committee of an affiliated association, or of an affiliated association itself which have a substantial and long-lasting impact on NALA and/or the paralegal profession.

Award Benefits Include:

  • Recognition during Annual Membership Meeting at Conference
  • Travel expenses paid by NALA – per diem (2 days), 1-night hotel, round-trip airfare, and 1-single day registration fee for the day of the Annual Membership Meeting for one individual or one affiliate representative, if the award is given to a group.
  • The achievement or contribution must currently have or could have the potential to make a substantial and long-lasting impact on NALA and/or the paralegal profession;
  • Nominee must have played or will play a significant role in creating, developing, and/or promoting an important and distinctive product, program, or service that positively impacts NALA and/or the paralegal profession for a minimum of three years, whether now occurring or hereafter transpiring; and
  • The product, program, or service must result in a positive public image for the paralegal profession.

The achievement or contribution may consist of, but shall not be limited to the following:

  • Influencing, promoting, and/or participating in the advancement of paralegal education (such as publishing a book, establishing a widely accepted test preparation course, collaborating to create and/or update paralegal offerings/webinars, or developing paralegal-based curriculum for a school or university system, regularly preparing and presenting at various CLE events);
  • Creating a recognizable professional development or career enhancement program (such as working with local paralegal educators to conduct routine mock interviews and resume review sessions for paralegal students or educators who tirelessly endorse the advantages of paralegal certification);
  • Making sizable contributions to the advancement of access to justice (such as advocacy and proposed legislation or consistently working with local law school programs or legal assistance programs to aid the underserved and underprivileged);
  • Generating awareness of the paralegal profession in the legal field and in the community (such as regularly offering presentations to law schools, bar associations, or various attorney groups about the advantages of utilizing paralegals in the workplace).

Affiliate member,  Affiliate committee, or Affiliate Association in good standing (current NALA Board and committee members not eligible).

NALA Active type member or NALA Affiliated Association in good standing may submit one nomination per year. This is not an automatic nomination from Affiliates Award – it must be a separate nomination with a separate nomination form.

Deadline: April 1

Nomination Form