Posted by CMS_NY on 2/13/07 10:11pm
Msg #175573

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Does anyone belong to a Paralegal/Legal Assistant Association either in his or her state and/or any national associations??

If so, which do you belong/recommend? Any comments on them (ie. worth joining, benefits, etc.)??

Thanks in advance for any responses

Reply by ColleenCA on 2/14/07 8:24am
Msg #175598

Re: Personally I haven't found the need for it and I have...

been a Paralegal for 10 years. I guess it just depends on what your needs are and what you might be looking for in an association.

Reply by BobbiCT on 2/14/07 12:26pm
Msg #175642

Nat'l Federation of Paralegal Assoc

I belong to a CT chapter of NFPA, prior to that NALA and eaons ago NALS.

I find it of great benefit and wonderful for networking; HOWEVER, I don't see it as a marketing or mentor venue for non-attorney signing agents. These organizations are more toward professionals working in compliment with attorneys and in the legal departments of private companies.

If your focus is to work as an independent contractor paralegal through attorney's offices, then the networking aspect may help your business. NY has NFPA chapters (see paralegals.org). Our CT chapters have educational newsletters, monthly meetings with guest speakers, multiple committees that members can work on, pro-bono and fundraising projects (one year was stuffed toys, another year car seats - both of which our state police use when an officer finds an unsafe car seat or handing a stuffed toy to a child at an accident scene), and continuing legal education seminars.

I find as a working paralegal a great benefit in belonging to a paralegal association, both educational and when I am working in coordination with my paralegal counterpart at another law firm; we both have something in common or have met at luncheons or meetings.

Reply by Elizabeth Soliday on 2/14/07 4:42pm
Msg #175691

I was a member of NFPA through Hawaii Paralegal Association and they mainly sent out mailings on continuing legal education opportunities, job openings, and news on the state laws that may be of interest. I joined the association to pad my resume and to maybe meet some contacts. I didn't really see any benefits other than the mailings...if you are big on the "lunch break trainings" or looking for employment go for it.