Affiliated with the National Federation of Paralegal Associations

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There are many ways to become a member of The Tampa Bay Paralegal Association  

Active Membership ($50.00/yr):    To qualify as an Active Member, an individual must be employed or retained as a paralegal as currently defined by the Florida Supreme Court, and reside or work in Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas or Polk Counties and consistent with one of the following criteria: 

A.  Successful completion of the Paralegal Advanced Competency Examination (“PACE”) of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. 

B.  Graduation from an ABA approved program of study for paralegals;

C.  Graduation from a course of study for paralegals which is institutionally accredited but not ABA approved and which requires not less than the equivalent of sixty (60) semester hours of classroom study;

D.  Graduation from a course of study for paralegals, other than those set forth in items (ii) and (iii) above, plus not less than six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal, and whose attorney attests that such person is qualified and currently working as a paralegal;

E.  A baccalaureate degree in any field, plus not less than six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal, and whose attorney attests that such person is qualified and currently working as a paralegal;

F.  A minimum of three (3) years of law-related experience under the supervision of any attorney, including at least six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal and whose attorney attests that such person is qualified and currently working as a paralegal; and

G.  Two (2) years of in-house training as a paralegal, and whose attorney attests that such person is qualified and currently working as a paralegal.

Only Active Members will be qualified as Voting Members of this Association.

Associate Membership ($50.00/yr):  Any one of the following shall qualify for Associate membership: 

A.  Those members of the Bar Associations endorsing the paralegal concept or involved in the promotion of the paralegal profession;

B.  Those members of the educational field endorsing the paralegal concept or involved in the promotion of the paralegal profession;

C.  Those persons involved in the supervision of paralegals;

D.  Non-residents of Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas or Polk Counties who would otherwise qualify for membership; and

E.  Individuals who have graduated from or completed a paralegal program but who have not been employed full-time as a paralegal for at least six (6) months or are not currently employed full-time as a paralegal.

Sustaining Membership ($100.00/yr):   Available to those individuals, law firms, corporations or paralegal program representatives who endorse and promote the paralegal profession.

Student Membership ($20.00/yr): The following educational requirements must be met by the educational facility at which the applicant is obtaining his/her paralegal education.  The paralegal program must consist of at least 18 semester hours (approximately 250 clock hours) of paralegal coursework and appropriate general education, consisting of legal specialty courses with the material presented in depth over an extended period of time for development of theoretical, analytical and practical skills from a either a proprietary school, community college, four-year college or university in the form of an associate degree, a baccalaureate degree, a certificate, or master’s degree. These standards include the following:

(1)  Post-secondary coursework in substantive and procedural law, the American legal system, law offices and related environments, the paralegal profession, legal research and writing, ethics and areas of legal practice such as those described in AAfPE’s Core Competencies for Paralegal Programs;

(2)  No fewer than 18 semester credit hours (or the equivalent) of substantive paralegal courses;

(3)  The completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours (or the equivalent) of total post-secondary study prior to graduation.  A semester hour is equivalent to 15 classroom hours of at least 50 minutes in duration;

(4)  The paralegal education program must be offered by an institution that is: (a) An institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education; or (b) A paralegal educational program approved by the American Bar Association; or (c) A paralegal program offered by an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and offering courses at the post-secondary level. 

     A.  Individuals who are currently enrolled in a paralegal program of study as identified above, taking at least six (6) semester hours or the equivalent of law related courses; or

If you need more information regarding membership or have any questions, please email the membership committee.  

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Copyright © 2000-2008  Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc.
Last modified: May 27, 2008