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.
