| P.O. Box 48 Corpus Christi, TX 78403 |
| CCALP Admin Debbie Bishop admin@ccalp.com |
| Affiliated with NALS ... the Association for Legal Professionals and Texas Association of Legal Professionals |
WHO IS CCALP?
Originally formed under the name of Nueces County Legal Secretaries Association (“Nueces
County LSA”), Corpus Christi Association of Legal Professionals (“CCALP”) is a tri-level, non-
partisan, non-union, non-sectarian, non-profit, and educational organization chartered on
November 20, 1953, by NALS, Inc. (“NALS”) and is affiliated with the Texas Association of
Legal Professionals (“Texas ALP”). Nueces County LSA formally changed its name to Corpus
Christi Association of Legal Professionals on November 22, 2000.
Nueces County LSA was organized after Catherine Mitchon, secretary with Kleberg, Mobley,
Lockett & Weil, read an article about the National Association of Legal Secretaries (“NALS”) in
Today’s Secretary magazine. Catherine corresponded with NALS, and she and Mildred Smith
attended the NALS annual convention in Dallas and received information on forming a local
chapter. An organizational meeting was held on August 10, 1953. Eighteen local legal
secretaries attended this meeting, and it was unanimously voted to form a local chapter of
NALS. On September 14, 1953, a meeting was held where a Resolution was adopted to apply
for a charter with NALS. The following officers were elected: Catherine Mitchon - President;
Edna M. Borden – First Vice President; Anne Glover – Second Vice President; Mildred Smith –
Secretary; and Helen Sanders – Treasurer. By-Laws were adopted for the local chapter and
Nueces County LSA became the fourth chapter in Texas to become a part of NALS, joining
Dallas, Fort Worth, and Hutchinson Counties.
In 1955, with California being the only state with a state association, Nueces County LSA
extended an invitation to the other three Texas chapters to come to Corpus Christi for the
purpose of joining with NCLSA to organize a Texas association. The invitation was accepted
by those chapters, and the Organizational Meeting of Texas Association of Legal Secretaries
(“Texas ALS”) was held on May 27, 1955. Texas ALS was formed and officers were elected.
Texas ALS received its charter from NALS on July 27, 1955. Since then, there have been
several CCALP members who have served as President for the State Chapter. Texas ALS
changed its name to Texas Association of Legal Professionals in 2003.
In 1959 CCALP began establishing a fund to award a scholarship to a high school or college
student pursuing an education in the legal field. This scholarship is now known as the Ethel
Ray Scholarship Fund allowing CCALP to award several scholarships each year to students
interested in pursuing careers in the legal field. Each year CCALP submits one recipient of the
Ethel Ray Scholarship to the Texas Association of Legal Professionals Scholarship Committee
for the chance to be awarded a scholarship from Texas ALP as well.
CCALP conducts business meetings where business of all three associations is discussed.
CCALP also conducts a monthly general membership meeting where speakers discuss
educational topics. Networking is an essential element to the tri-level associations.
Membership is open to any person employed in the legal field including:
• Legal Secretaries
• Legal Assistants
• Paralegals
• Law Office Administrators
• Court Personnel/Reporters
• Clerks
The Association offers an opportunity to achieve personal and professional goals. Associate
membership is available to students, educators, attorneys, and judges. Corporate
sponsorships are also available.
Members adhere to a strict Code of Ethics stressing a high standard of ethics.
Originally formed under the name of Nueces County Legal Secretaries Association (“Nueces
County LSA”), Corpus Christi Association of Legal Professionals (“CCALP”) is a tri-level, non-
partisan, non-union, non-sectarian, non-profit, and educational organization chartered on
November 20, 1953, by NALS, Inc. (“NALS”) and is affiliated with the Texas Association of
Legal Professionals (“Texas ALP”). Nueces County LSA formally changed its name to Corpus
Christi Association of Legal Professionals on November 22, 2000.
Nueces County LSA was organized after Catherine Mitchon, secretary with Kleberg, Mobley,
Lockett & Weil, read an article about the National Association of Legal Secretaries (“NALS”) in
Today’s Secretary magazine. Catherine corresponded with NALS, and she and Mildred Smith
attended the NALS annual convention in Dallas and received information on forming a local
chapter. An organizational meeting was held on August 10, 1953. Eighteen local legal
secretaries attended this meeting, and it was unanimously voted to form a local chapter of
NALS. On September 14, 1953, a meeting was held where a Resolution was adopted to apply
for a charter with NALS. The following officers were elected: Catherine Mitchon - President;
Edna M. Borden – First Vice President; Anne Glover – Second Vice President; Mildred Smith –
Secretary; and Helen Sanders – Treasurer. By-Laws were adopted for the local chapter and
Nueces County LSA became the fourth chapter in Texas to become a part of NALS, joining
Dallas, Fort Worth, and Hutchinson Counties.
In 1955, with California being the only state with a state association, Nueces County LSA
extended an invitation to the other three Texas chapters to come to Corpus Christi for the
purpose of joining with NCLSA to organize a Texas association. The invitation was accepted
by those chapters, and the Organizational Meeting of Texas Association of Legal Secretaries
(“Texas ALS”) was held on May 27, 1955. Texas ALS was formed and officers were elected.
Texas ALS received its charter from NALS on July 27, 1955. Since then, there have been
several CCALP members who have served as President for the State Chapter. Texas ALS
changed its name to Texas Association of Legal Professionals in 2003.
In 1959 CCALP began establishing a fund to award a scholarship to a high school or college
student pursuing an education in the legal field. This scholarship is now known as the Ethel
Ray Scholarship Fund allowing CCALP to award several scholarships each year to students
interested in pursuing careers in the legal field. Each year CCALP submits one recipient of the
Ethel Ray Scholarship to the Texas Association of Legal Professionals Scholarship Committee
for the chance to be awarded a scholarship from Texas ALP as well.
CCALP conducts business meetings where business of all three associations is discussed.
CCALP also conducts a monthly general membership meeting where speakers discuss
educational topics. Networking is an essential element to the tri-level associations.
Membership is open to any person employed in the legal field including:
• Legal Secretaries
• Legal Assistants
• Paralegals
• Law Office Administrators
• Court Personnel/Reporters
• Clerks
The Association offers an opportunity to achieve personal and professional goals. Associate
membership is available to students, educators, attorneys, and judges. Corporate
sponsorships are also available.
Members adhere to a strict Code of Ethics stressing a high standard of ethics.