About Us

Welcome to the Charleston Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.  Founded in 1982, CALA has been dedicated to the promotion of legal excellence in the paralegal profession throughout Charleston and surrounding areas for over thirty years. 

In 1996, CALA became an Affiliated Association of The National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., which gives members the opportunity to take an active part in the nationwide development and direction of the paralegal profession. 

In 2017, in order to serve the needs of our South Carolina Certified Paralegals, CALA applied for and obtained approval to be an Accredited Sponsor of the South Carolina Bar for the 2017-1018 Fiscal Year. All continuing legal education facilitated by CALA is now submitted for both CLE approval from NALA and CPE approval from the South Carolina Bar to meet the respective requirements of maintenance of certification at both the national and state levels.

Click here to download a copy of our bylaws.

The objectives of CALA are as follows:

  • To establish good fellowship among association members, The National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc., and members of the legal community.
  • To encourage a high order of ethical and professional attainment.
  • To provide convenient opportunities and resources for continuing legal education among members of the profession.
  • To cooperate with Bar Associations.

CALA Executive Board Member’s Oath 

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that: 

I am duly qualified, according to the By Laws of this organization and its national organization, to exercise the duties of the office to which I have been elected, and that I will, to the best of my ability, discharge those duties and will preserve, protect and defend the best interests of Charleston Association of Legal Assistants, its members, and the paralegal profession; 

I will maintain the respect and courtesy due to courts of justice, judicial officers, attorneys, colleagues, and my fellow CALA members; 

To my clients, I pledge faithfulness, competence, diligence, good judgment and prompt communication; 

To opposing parties and their counsel, I pledge fairness, integrity, and civility, not only in court, but also in all written and oral communications; 

I will employ for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to me only such means as are consistent with trust and honor and the principles of professionalism, and will never seek to mislead an opposing party, the judge or jury by a false statement of fact or law; 

I will respect and preserve inviolate the confidences of my clients; 

[So help me God.]