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Who We Are
The Sierra Nevada Association of Paralegals (“SNAP”) is an association by and for paralegals*, organized to promote professional and ethical development of the vocation.
Since the fall of 1989, SNAP, a Nevada non-profit corporation, has been an affiliate of the National Association of Legal Assistants (“NALA”). Its membership presently consists of approximately 85 paralegals, students, associate and retired members. Its objectives and purposes are to establish a spirit of collegiality among association members and members of the legal community; to encourage a high level of ethical and professional achievement; to further education among members of the profession; to cooperate with the bar association; and to support and carry out the programs, purposes and goals of NALA.
NALA is composed of over 18,000 paralegals as individual members and through affiliated associations. Its web site at www.nala.org includes information about paralegal careers and about programs and services of NALA, including its national certification program.
* The terms “paralegal” and “legal assistant” are used interchangeably, much like the terms “attorney” and “lawyer.”
What We Do
SNAP holds an annual seminar on an area of major importance to the legal community. Monthly meetings are held throughout the year, usually with educational speakers. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at different local resturants. SNAP offers NALA approved CLEs at the annual seminar and monthly meetings with speakers.
SNAP encourages paralegals to seek national certification, such as the CLA/CP (“Certified Legal Assistant” "Certified Paralegal) designation offered by NALA. To aid paralegals in preparing for the certification examination, SNAP hosts CLA study groups. Please contact nalaliaison@snapreno.com for more information
The newsletter, SNAP SHOT, distributed monthly to members, contains seminar information, news of relevant educational events, and other news of the legal community.
SNAP maintains a job bank, which welcomes all firms and businesses employing paralegals to list their openings. Potential employers and members should contact the Second Vice-President through jobbank@snapreno.com.
SNAP offers several types of membership to fit the needs of the legal community. These include: active at $50 per year, associate at $30, student and retired at $20 and sustaining at $75, to be paid annually by the end of July. A member must agree to be bound by the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility adopted by NALA and subscribed to by SNAP, and by the by-laws of SNAP. A member cannot have been convicted of a felony or have been disbarred from the practice of law. For further information and a membership application, please visit the Membership page or email membership@snapreno.com.
* Definition of a Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Legal assistants, also known as paralegals, are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training and experience, legal assistants have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney.
