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Mastering Modern Law
ALA Empowers Legal Administrators to Navigate the Future
Successful law-firm management requires broad knowledge and expertise. Among other challenges, the professional administrator must address fast-paced technological changes, management trends that may contradict age-old practices, and fundamental changes in the way the practice of law is structured and conducted.
The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) was formed in 1971 specifically to support these professionals. ALA's members, now numbering upwards of 10,000 and representing employers in more than 30 countries, are administrators who lead critical areas of law firm management including marketing, human resources, financial business planning and technology.
Our Values
Excellence and Innovation
Empower Legal Professionals Through Diverse Education and Innovative Solutions
Ethical Leadership
Uphold the Highest Standards of Ethical Conduct, Fostering a Culture of Integrity and Professionalism
Connection and Networking
Cultivate Meaningful Connections and Networking Opportunities to Support Professional Growth and Collaboration
Featured Upcoming Events
Jul 15
July 2026 SVALA Luncheon
July 15, 2026
11:30 am
Piatti, 571 Pavilions Lane
Sacramento, CA 95825
Please join us at your July monthly educational luncheon for, "Your Partners Won't Always Be Here: Does Your Law Firm Have a Succession Plan?", presented by Kathryn Scourby.
Succession planning for lawyers and law firms is not something that has ever come naturally. Most lawyers do not want to broach the topic of retirement and what the next part of their life will look like. But succession planning is critical to law firms and needs to be an integral part of the firm's overall business continuity strategy before lawyers begin to think about retirement. Succession planning allows firms to prepare for transitions of key positions and major client relationships when shareholders or key partners leave the firm. Succession planning also helps the firm be prepared for any untimely loss of a critical firm leader. Neglecting the issue of succession can be very detrimental to the overall productivity of current lawyers in the firm, so the optimal time to begin a succession plan is way in advance of shareholders/partners reaching retirement age. This session will explore why law firms need succession plans in their firms now, issues that should be considered for creating a viable succession plan and what a comprehensive succession plan should look like.
Kathryn Scourby is the Principal of KNS Consulting, LLC and a Certified Business Continuity Professional and Certified Cyber Resilience Professional. Kathy consults with professional service firms in the areas of business continuity, disaster preparedness, cyber resilience, risk management, and compliance. Kathy's experience includes thirty-three years in management with international law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth, LLP. She is a frequent speaker and presenter at legal management and business continuity conferences, state and local Bar Association meetings and conferences, other association meetings and conferences and with private service firms and businesses. She has presented for many ALA chapters and assisted in the planning of ALA National Conference.
This month's luncheon is sponsored by Platinum Business Partner Sierra Office Supply & Printing.
Aug 19
August 2026 SVALA Luncheon
August 19, 2026
Piatti, 571 Pavilions Lane
Sacramento, CA 95825
August 2026 SVALA Luncheon
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Sep 16
September 2026 SVALA Luncheon
September 16, 2026
Piatti, 571 Pavilions Lane
Sacramento, CA 95825
September 2026 SVALA Luncheon
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Jun 17
June 2026 SVALA Luncheon
June 17, 2026
11:30 am
Piatti, 571 Pavilions Lane
Sacramento, CA 95825
Building Your Personal Board of Directors
The longer your career goes on, the more important it becomes to have people who can help you think strategically about your life and work, not just react to the next problem on your calendar. In this working session, we'll explore the idea of a Personal Board of Directors: the trusted people who offer perspective, honesty, encouragement, wisdom, and connection throughout your career. Participants will leave with a clearer picture of the relationships they want to strengthen and a practical plan for keeping those connections active over time.
Presented by Jennifer Forester, a consultant, trainer, and ICF-certified coach who co-leads Sacramento's "Practice Builder" program, helping lawyers build stronger relationships, visibility, and long-term career success.
May 20
May 2026 SVALA Luncheon
May 20, 2026
11:30 am
Piatti, 571 Pavilions Lane
Sacramento, CA 95825
Please join us at your May monthly educational luncheon for PAGA Prevention Management Training - Private Attorneys General Act, designed to help us better understand and navigate California's complex employment landscape.
This session will cover:
- What PAGA is and why it has changed how businesses manage employees
- The importance of consistent application of California labor laws
- Paystub and wage & hour requirements
- Employee classification essentials
- The 7 manager/supervisor behaviors that commonly trigger PAGA claims
- Key takeaways to help managers reduce risk and ensure compliance
The training will be led by Dana Tafoya, PHR, a Senior HR Consultant with over 25 years of experience, including two decades supporting California-based organizations. Dana brings deep expertise in employment law, compliance, and HR best practices, and is known for helping businesses build effective, scalable, and compliant HR infrastructures. Her thoughtful, people-centered approach combines practical guidance with a strong focus on fostering positive workplace cultures.
May 2026 SVALA Luncheon
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Sponsored by our Platinum Business Sponsor Pacific Records Management
Apr 24
April 2026 SVALA Luncheon
April 24, 2026
11:30 am
Piatti, 571 Pavilions Lane
Sacramento, CA 95825
UPDATED DATE! This meeting has been changed to Friday, April 24, 2026!
April 2026 SVALA Luncheon
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Apr 12
2026 ALA National Annual Conference & Expo
April 12, 2026
7:30 am
Gaylord National Harbor, 201 Waterfront Street
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Save the Dates for 2026!
Our members shine at our Annual Conference & Expo! Held every spring, this is our marquee event where 1,000+ legal management professionals and business partners convene for three days of professional development, networking and fun. You'll leave inspired and ready to take on the challenges back at your legal organization.
2026 Annual Conference & Expo
April 12-15, 2026
Gaylord National Harbor
National Harbor, Maryland
Mar 18
Annual Law Firm Leadership Luncheon
March 18, 2026
11:30 am
The Firehouse Restaurant, 1112 2nd Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
SVALA Annual Law Firm Leadership Luncheon
11:30 am - 12:00 pm - Meet with Business Partners while enjoying hand
passed appetizers and beverages
12:00 pm - Event Introduction
12:05 pm - 1:05 pm - Judy
Hissong - Keynote Speaker from Nesso Strategies (https://nessostrategies.com/)
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Coffee, dessert, raffle prizes
As a former professional athlete turned law firm COO, Judy Hissong weaves
stories of her athletic career with the necessary elements of leadership in a
law firm.
- Understand resilience as a key component of well being and competence.
- Examine the role of expectations in creating an ethical environment.
- Recognize structural habits of attention in developing
client service teams and a firm built for long term success.
**CLM Application Credit :: 1 hour
of Self Management
**CLM Functional Specialist
credit :: 1 hour of Human Resources Management
**CLM Recertification credit ::
1 hour of Human Resources Management
Feb 24
Community Connection Event: River City Food Bank
February 24, 2026
10:00 am
1800 28th Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
Community Connection Event: River City Food Bank
10 AM to 2:00 PM
Feb 18
February 2026 SVALA Luncheon
February 18, 2026
11:30 am
Piatti, 571 Pavilions Lane
Sacramento, CA 95825
Please join us for our February educational luncheon. Our Platinum Business Partner Nationwide Legal will be presenting E-Discovery Fundamentals, speaking on the topic will be Executive Vice President Sam Cho. Learn how to understand core stages of the e-discovery lifecycle, navigate common data sources and preservation obligations, and work effectively with litigation teams.
Please RSVP by accepting your calendar invite.
ALA National Resources
Explore ALA National Resources: Dive into the latest insights with ALA Bold Bites, stay informed with ALA Legal Management Magazine, advance your career with ALA CLM, and enhance your skills through ALA Continuing Education.
Featured Platinum Partnerships
