PRESIDENT MESSAGE

Most people felt they’d never need or own a computer They had difficulty visualizing a computer in their home. Now computers are everywhere, in our homes, businesses, farms, factories, even at grandma’s. It didn’t take long for computers to catch on. Once someone saw what a computer was capable of doing, how it could save time and money, they were hooked. 
So it is with our profession Many lawyers didn’t know what a legal assistant was or what one could do. After a while, as more individuals were trained and educated as legal assistants, attorneys began hiring legal assistants and wondering how they ever lived without them. New lawyers upon obtaining their first jobs were confronted with the wonders of a legal assistant. With the introduction of the microchip and computers, the world was forever changed. 

Lisa Sprinkle, CLAS, 
President, 1999-2000

 With the introduction of legal assistants into the legal arena, the concept of legal services to the client has also changed. Legal assistants have become valuable members of the legal team. The economics of practicing law has changed because of legal assistants. 
Legal assistants didn’t come into recognizable existence until the late 70’s or early 80’s. Since that time we have been recognized by the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and even the Texas Senate in their resolution declaring Legal Assistants’ Day. We’ve come a long way baby! 
Where do we go from here? What’s going to happen to this profession in the 21st century? Like technology, we know there will be change. I wish I had a crystal ball so I could make all the right decisions but that’s not possible. Will there be a definition of legal assistant that will truly define all we are and all that we do? Will there be some kind of regulation of our profession? Will the job market remain strong for legal assistants? So many questions and no definitive answers There’s one thing I do know however. If we work together as a Division, with the support of the State Bar of Texas, whatever we attempt to accomplish, we will not fail. 
The new year, and in this case a new century, should be a time for reflection and an acknowledgment of who and what we are Recommit yourself to your profession, to the Division, and to your future in the 21st century.