The San Joaquin Association of Legal Assistants (SJALA) is a California non-profit corporation, comprised of legal assistants from Fresno and the surrounding areas. SJALA was formed in the Fall of 1981 by a small group of paralegals in Fresno. Due to their efforts, SJALA's membership has grown in number and has become an integral part of the legal community. SJALA is governed by a Board of Directors who also serve as officers. The officers are elected each year by the Voting Membership. SJALA is an active member of the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA) and an Affiliated Association of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), providing us with both a statewide and national perspective on issues affecting paralegals.

The purpose of San Joaquin Association of Legal Assistants is to:

• promote, encourage and expand the legal assistant profession;
• serve as a forum for the interchange of ideas among legal assistants;
• sponsor professional activities and offer continuing education for legal assistants;
• educate employers and consumers regarding the role of legal assistants in the delivery of legal services; and
• maintain mutual beneficial working relationships with local, state and national bar associations.

SJALA conducts continuing educational seminars throughout the year in an effort to enhance the professional development and working skills of its members. SJALA holds general membership meetings on legal and other topics of interest. These meetings include guest speakers and discussions concerning business and activities of the association. SJALA's newsletter, Points and Authorities, is published bi-monthly. SJALA maintains a job referral service for its members. There are several standing committees and ad hoc committees through which SJALA functions. Standing committees include: Membership, Programs, Job Referral, Publications, Pro-Bono, Public Relations/Fund Raising, and Education.

SJALA has adopted and its members are bound by Guidelines for Professional Responsibility which set forth the basic tenets of ethical conduct of its membership.

SJALA has three classes of membership: Voting, Associate (non-voting) and Sustaining. A Sustaining Member is any person, business, school, or other entity interested in supporting the goals and purposes of SJALA. Membership must be requested by written application to the Association. Memberships are calendar year and subject to renewal on January 1 of each subsequent year.