NOPA MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS

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Classifications of Membership

The Association has four classes of members.  The designations, qualifications and rights of each class are as follows:

Voting Member. 

A voting member shall be employed as a paralegal (as defined in paragraph 1.2 of NOPA’s Bylaws) at the time of application for or renewal of membership.  A voting member shall be entitled to one vote on all matters which require the vote of members of the New Orleans Paralegal Association and shall have the right to make motions, hold office and serve on the Board of Directors.  A voting member shall possess at least ONE of the following qualifications:

  1. Bachelor’s degree and one year paralegal experience and is employed or retained as a paralegal; OR
  2.  Completion of an ABA approved paralegal program or a paralegal studies program that is not ABA approved but meets the substantive legal studies requirements pursuant to ABA guidelines, and is employed or retained as a paralegal; OR
  3.  Two years paralegal experience and verification of employment as a paralegal; OR
  4.  Has passed the NFPA Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE), the NFPA Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCC) or other nationally administered paralegal certification examination.

Associate Member.

Associate members shall not be entitled to vote on matters which require the vote of the members of the New Orleans Paralegal Association and shall not have the right to make motions, hold office or serve on the Board of Directors.

  1. A person who has completed a paralegal studies program (as described in paragraph 4.1(a)(2)), but is not currently employed or retained as a paralegal; OR
  2.  A person who has not met either the experiential or educational requirements for Voting Membership as set forth (as described in paragraph 4.1(a)), but has five (5) years legal experience; OR
  3.  A person who has previously been, but is not now, employed as a paralegal.

Student Member. 

 Any individual who is currently enrolled in a formal course of paralegal studies may become a student member.  Proof of enrollment must be attached to application.  Student members shall not be entitled to vote on matters which require the vote of the members of the association and shall not have the right to make motions, hold office or serve on the Board of Directors.

Sustaining Member. 

 Any individual, corporation, partnership, organization or other entity interested in supporting the association may become a sustaining member.  Sustaining members shall not be entitled to vote on matters on which require the vote of the  members of the association and shall not have the right to make motions, hold office or serve on the Board of Directors.

Sign-up On-line

2012 membership applications are now being received.

 

http://www.nopa.onefireplace.com/