ALA Chicago

Welcome to ALA Chicago's page. Welcome Friends of ALA Chicago! Before joining, please read the following expectations when utilizing this site.

The ALA (Association of Legal Administrators) is an international organization with a membership of over 9,000 administrators from law firms and corporate legal departments. This is a professional social media networking site to benefit all Chicago ALA and ALA members, as well as supporting business partners of the GCC. This site has been established to provide ALA members with current information and news about our chapter. All postings will be moderated in accordance with these guidelines. Professional association members should refrain from any discussion which may provide the basis for an inference that the members agreed to take action relating to prices, production, allocation of markets, or any other matter having a market effect. All anti-trust guidelines enforced on the Chapter’s listserv also apply when using this site (see www.alachicago.com for the listserv anti-trust guidelines). The following list of topics, while not exhaustive, should not be discussed on this site:

• Post only news or other educational information relevant to GCC/ALA Members or to legal administrators generally. All other posting requests will require the appropriate permission.
• Please keep it professional.
• Do not discuss current or future billing rates, fees, fee procedures, disbursement charges or other items that could be construed as "price." Further, be very careful of discussions of past billing rates, fees or prices.
• Do not discuss what is considered to be a fair profit, billing rate or wage level.
• Do not discuss an increase or decrease in price, fees or wages, or disbursement charges. In this regard, remember that interest charges are considered an item of price.
• Do not discuss standardizing or stabilizing prices, fees or wages, or disbursement charges.
• Do not discuss the imposition of credit terms or the amount thereof.
• Do not complain to a competitor that his/her billing rates, fees or wages constitute unfair trade practices. In this context, another law firm (or even a corporate legal department) may be considered a competitor.
• Do not discuss refusing to deal with anyone because of his pricing or fees.
• The site is not to be used for the sale of any items, or to solicit and advertise for any type of employment opportunity. Please remember you represent ALA when participating as a member of this site, and it’s important to uphold the reputation of the ALA in a professional and respectful manner to both members and business partners.

09/18/2026

Thank you to our Platinum Business Partner, Affinity Consulting. Debbie Foster

09/17/2026

We’re just one week away!

Join us for ALA Chicago’s annual Business Partner Appreciation Event at Beatrix in the Loop as we celebrate the Business Partners who support and strengthen our chapter throughout the year.

Come enjoy great food, drinks and conversation with fellow ALA Chicago members and Business Partners!

📍 Beatrix in the Loop
🥂 Open to ALA Chicago Members & Business Partners

There’s still time to register!

09/16/2026

🎤 **Speaker Spotlight: Kristi Seaton, CLM**

We asked Kristi what she’s most excited about sharing at this year’s ALA Legal Fundamentals Conference:

“I am excited to present at this year’s ALA Legal Fundamentals Conference and hope to reach those individuals who, like me, were promoted from a staff position to a management position in their firm. I think sometimes there is a presumption from firm leadership that talented individuals will just know what to do in a new role or will easily be able to figure it out.

In my presentation, I aim to give a roadmap to success for those who have been promoted from within."

If you’ve recently stepped into management or are preparing for your next leadership opportunity, this is a session you won’t want to miss.

📅 September 18, 2026

⏰ 9:00 a.m.

09/15/2026

⏰ One week out!

Beyond the Help Desk: Quick Tech Wins for Law Firm Efficiency is coming up on September 22 — a fast, practical session with tips you can use immediately.

📅 September 22 | 10:00 a.m.

💻 Virtual via Zoom

Register today: https://alachicago.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2070229&group=

09/11/2026

Today, we remember.

On September 11, we honor the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the first responders and countless individuals who showed extraordinary courage and compassion.

We remember them today and always.

09/09/2026

Benefits renewal season doesn’t have to be just about managing increases. It’s an opportunity to take a more strategic look at your benefits program.

Join ALA Chicago for a practical session on navigating the employee benefits renewal process, including market trends, cost considerations and evolving plan strategies.

Attendees will walk away with ideas for asking the right questions, evaluating renewal options and identifying opportunities to strengthen benefits while managing costs.

🎤 Presented by Joe Hoegler, CTIO of Kraft & Kennedy, Inc.

https://alachicago.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2070229&group=

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from ALA Chicago!

Today, we celebrate the hard work, dedication and contributions of professionals across our communities.

Wishing our ALA Chicago members, Business Partners and friends a safe and relaxing Labor Day!

09/04/2026

"🥂 Celebrating the partnerships that make ALA Chicago stronger!

Join us for our annual Business Partner Appreciation Event at Beatrix in the Loop, an evening dedicated to recognizing the incredible Business Partners who support our chapter throughout the year.

Connect with fellow ALA Chicago members and Business Partners while enjoying great food, drinks and conversation.

✨ Let’s raise a glass to the partnerships and people who help our chapter thrive!

📍 Beatrix in the Loop
🥂 Open to ALA Chicago Members & Business Partners

Registration is now open!

"

09/02/2026

"Meet Sheri Lawrence, our Special Events Director and Director of Office Administration at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP.

Sheri values the opportunity to move from participant to contributor and give back to a chapter that has played such an important role in her professional development. Through ALA Chicago, she has found mentorship, encouragement and lifelong friendships, and she is excited to help create those same experiences for others.

In her role as Special Events Director, Sheri looks forward to building on the success of those who served before her, working alongside committee members and planning our next annual charity event to give back to the community.

Outside of work, Sheri may surprise you. While she enjoys meeting people and building connections, she considers herself an introvert who takes a little time to warm up. Once she does, she’s fully engaged and all in!

Thank you, Sheri, for your leadership, dedication and commitment to ALA Chicago!

https://alachicago.org/news/733563/-Board-Member-Spotlight---Sheri-Lawrence.htm

"

09/01/2026

Billable time doesn’t always disappear in obvious ways. A quick email, a call between meetings, time spent commuting between matters—it adds up.

Join ALA Chicago on September 3 for our next Business Partner Pop-Up, Closing the Gap on Missed Billable Time, presented by Beth Thompson of Actionstep.

In just 30 minutes, Beth will share practical ways firms can identify where billable time is being lost and build better habits for capturing more of the work already being done.

📅 September 3 | 2:00 PM

💻 Virtual via Zoom

Register here: https://alachicago.org/events/event_list.asp

Address

Chicago, IL

Website

http://www.alachicago.org/

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