The Dallas Association of Legal Secretaries ("DALS") held its first and second organizational meetings on August 25, 1952 and September 17, 1952, respectively, at the home of Connie Parmelee.  DALS is indebted to Connie Parmelee as its founder.  Application for charter was made on October 20, 1952, and the charter was received from the National Association of Legal Secretaries ("NALS") on November 2, 1952.  DALS was the first chapter to be chartered outside the state of California.  NALS was incorporated August 1, 1950, in California.  However, the California Federation of Legal Secretaries was formed in 1934, and was incorporated in July 1940 under the name of Legal Secretaries, Incorporated.  Through the efforts of the officers and members of the later, NALS was incorporated.  Connie Parmelee had been a member of Legal Secretaries, Incorporated in California and upon moving to the Dallas area she began to spread the word of this new association for legal secretaries.  DALS recently voted, on August 21, 2007, to change its name to the Dallas Association of Legal Professionals, to be referred to as Dallas ALP.

The first Installation of Officers Banquet of DALS was held November 19, 1952.  Judge Dick Dixon of Dallas was the Master of Ceremonies and Marie Jennerrette Zorns of Pasadena (California) Legal Secretaries was the Installing Officer.  Forty chapter members were initiated at this meeting.  One of these, Catherine Winikates, was presented a life membership in May 1971, and remained a member of DALS until her death.  Catherine served as either an officer or committee chairman every year for the period of 1952-1977, and was a highly supportive member of the association until her death.

Membership in DALS also includes membership in the Texas Association of Legal Professionals ("TALP") and in NALS...the association for legal professionals ("NALS").  Members receive the publications of these associations, the Docket (TALP) and @Law (NALS).  TALP and NALS have regular board meetings and annual conferences that provide continuing legal education and professional development, and members are encouraged to attend these meetings and participate in all of the activities of TALP and NALS.

Dallas ALP was organized to unite in one association persons engaged in any phase of legal work in the County of Dallas, Texas.  Its primary purpose has always been to afford members the opportunity to further their knowledge of the law and its procedures.  Members are encouraged to maintain high order of business and professional attainment, and to further their knowledge of educational and public affairs.  All members take an oath to abide by the NALS Code of Ethics.