By Vicky C. LaPradd, PP, PLS
NALS Membership Committee, 2011-2012

Want to feel really good about yourself?  Want to stand out from your co-workers?  Want that feeling to last and last and last?  If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, then I’ve got the answer for you.  Become certified!

Nothing, well almost absolutely nothing, feels as good as receiving an envelope from NALS with the initials PLS behind your name.  When asked, “why certify if you are over 50,” the number 1 answer given was personal goal/personal achievement.  When was the last time, especially if you are over 50, that you set and obtained a personal goal?

Below are quotes from recent examinees.

PLS Certification is a personal goal I have set for myself.  I have been in the legal profession for 43 years and have always tried to stay current in education, the latest technology, etc.  I would like to attain PLS certification in my last years of service so I may retire at the top of my profession and if I move from this area, a PLS certification would assist in my being considered for employment by another firm.  Even if I do not seek employment, I will have the personal satisfaction that at my age, I attained the PLS and the CLE requirement will keep me actively pursuing education.

Taking the PLS exam was a personal experience for me.  I wanted to prove to myself that I was knowledgeable in the legal field and that I could pass the PLS exam, which I did.  Studying for the test was extremely hard but it kept us focused and improved our work product.  You learn something new every day, or you understand why you do something a certain way, not just because that is the way it has always been done.  I love having the initials PLS behind my name and it gives me a chance to explain to others what it means to be certified and to be acknowledged for our hard work.

In 2001, I was introduced to a wonderful organization, MLSA.  Upon joining MLSA – Legal Professionals of Memphis, I became interested in the PLS certification.  Initially, I passed three-fourths of the PLS exam.  In preparation for the certification, I have gained an immeasurable amount of knowledge — which has made a profound impact on my professional career.  With determination, I will obtain my PLS certification.

Law firms are no different than other businesses in that they want the most for their buck.  While most lawyers are unaware of everything involved in becoming certified, they do know that certification requires a lot of extra commitment, work, dedication, passion for what you are doing, and time management regardless of whether you are young, single, and just graduated high school, mid-aged and in the process of raising your children, or over 50 and enjoying those awesome grandchildren.

Certification does not make us perfect (since no one is) but it does separate us.  In addition to the personal satisfaction, certification signifies that we are achievers and are the cream of the crop.  The knowledge gained from study groups, sitting for the exam, and becoming certified is invaluable but the feeling of seeing those three letters – PLS – for the first time behind your name is indeed priceless.

As long as you are still breathing, you are not too old to learn.  As long as you are not too old to learn, you are not too old to become certified.  Get all the information you need and register today for the next exam.”