BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

We cordially invite you to consider the benefits legal support staff can derive from membership in the Florida Association of Legal Support Specialists, Inc. (FALSS).  The mission of FALSS is to promote and ensure the highest standards of professionalism, competence, and ethical conduct of legal support specialists.  There are currently 16 chapters throughout the state, with other areas considering forming chapters.  Following is just a brief overview of our association:

Quarterly Meetings – Quarterly meetings are held throughout the state.  Further information on upcoming meetings may be obtained at our website.  

Educational seminars  -- Educational seminars are presented at each quarterly meeting.  Topics presented at recent seminars include:  Appellate Practice Update; Bankruptcy; Corporate Law; DNA Testing; Elder Law; Florida Legislature; Guardianships; Notary Law; Family Law, and Technology in the Law Firm.  A Certificate of Legal Education (CLE) is presented to every attendee at each seminar.

Certification – FALSS supports and encourages certification (Board Certification, ALS, PLS, CLA, and more) and holds certification workshops at each quarterly meeting. 

Board Certification Program – A Board Certification Program for specialty areas for legal support specialists has been developed by FALSS.  The first specialty area completed is in Civil Trial Law, and the first examination was given in July 2003.  The second specialty area completed is in Wills, Trusts, & Estates, and the first examination was given in July 2006.  Other specialty areas are in development, or will begin development soon.  The Board Certification Program guidelines have been presented to, and reviewed by, members of The Florida Bar.  The Certifying Board has designated study materials and prepared a Study Guide (that includes a mock examination) for the two specialty areas listed above; and will prepare the same for all additional specialty areas.  

Legal Support Journal (“LSJ”) is the quarterly publication of FALSS that is provided to every FALSS member.  The magazine includes educational articles, information for members, a summary of the most recently held quarterly meeting, and information and registration forms for upcoming quarterly meetings.

www.falss.org – The official website for FALSS (which is linked to The Florida Bar website) contains a description of our organization’s history; a list of officers; the location of all chapters and chapter contact information; meeting notices, registration forms, legal education seminar information; a membership application; and much more.  A “Members Only” section contains legal education articles, the FALSS Directory, the Bylaws and Standing Rules of FALSS, and more.

Please contact any FALSS officer for more information.