As a paralegal and paralegal educator, I recently had the privilege of attending the NALA 2024 Annual Educational Conference in Louisville, KY. This year’s event was not only a powerhouse of information, but also a celebration of professional growth and personal connections. The sessions offered insights into cutting-edge technologies, utilization of AI, and crucial ethical considerations we’re encountering in the modern legal landscape.
Keynote
The conference kicked off with an inspiring keynote from Iliana Oris Valiente, setting the tone for the innovative discussions to follow. As someone deeply invested in the intersection of law and technology, I was particularly excited for the sessions on AI and its impact on our field.
Coloring Within the Lines
Amy McGuigan’s presentation on “Using AI to your Advantage” and Mbilike Mwafulirwa’s discussion on “Legal Ethics, ChatGPT, and Generative AI Technology” were eye-opening. As an educator, I’m always looking for ways to prepare students for the evolving legal landscape. These sessions provided crucial insights on integrating AI tools into paralegal work effectively, while navigating the ethical implications.
Use of Force
Joseph Koenig’s session on “Tasers, Pepper Spray, and the Use of Force” offered valuable perspective on law enforcement practices. Knowledge that’s invaluable both in my legal research work and in preparing future paralegals for private and public practice scenarios.
Educational Mecca
The roundtable discussions with school relations leaders were particularly relevant to my role as a paralegal educator. Exchanging ideas with colleagues about nurturing the next generation of paralegals was both inspiring and practically useful.
Ethical Obligations
Kaila Glaros and Kristine Custodio Suero’s session on maintaining confidentiality and privilege was a vital reminder of our ethical obligations. As someone who straddles the worlds of practice and education, I found their insights particularly pertinent.
Community Connection
One of the highlights was celebrating the election of my mentor, friend, and podcast co-host, Kristine Custodio Suero, as the new Region 3 Director for NALA. Kristine has been an extraordinary brainstorming partner and source of inspiration throughout my career. Sharing these special moments with our favorite colleagues, podcast guests, and fellow legal educators, underscores the immense value of professional networks. It’s a powerful reminder of how connections not only enrich our careers but also open doors to new opportunities.
The NALA 2024 conference reaffirmed the dynamism of our field and the strength of our professional community. I left Louisville feeling reinvigorated, armed with new knowledge to share with my students. I’m also grateful for the deepened connections with remarkable professionals like Kristine. As we navigate the evolving legal landscape, I’m excited to see how these insights and relationships will shape our future.
Did you attend the NALA 2024 Conference & Expo? I’d love to hear what you felt were the best take aways for you. Please leave a comment on the blog or send me an email at kelli@klrparalegal.com