It's paramount for a serious Paralegal to join a Paralegal association for many reasons.
Below are my Top Four.
4. Employment Opportunities: Paralegal associations offer many employment services which are exclusive to its members.
3. Camaraderie: Most seasoned Paralegals appreciate the ability to pass the "torch" to their younger and less experienced counterparts and you can find many seasoned Paralegals within Paralegal associations. But the camaraderie doesn't stop there, fellowship among Paralegals is aplenty. Whether you are just breaking into the Paralegal field or want to network within your practice area, association membership will prove to be a valuable resource for you.
2. Networking: Paralegal associations offer endless networking opportunities, support to one another as well as informational, operational and transactional changes in your respective practice area.
DRUM ROLL PLEASE.......the number one reason for joining a paralegal association is the ability to obtain Continuing Legal Education credits or CLE(s).
1. Continuing Legal Education: Paralegal associations require that its members maintain a certain standard within the profession. They do this by imposing a minimum CLE requirement to sustain membership. This requirement helps its members maintain a high level of professionalism. This truly serves to assist a Paralegal with staying ahead of legal changes whether those changes exist within federal statues or state law.
Looking for a Dallas Paralegal Association, please check out the following websites:
• The Dallas Area Paralegal Association (DAPA) at www.dallasparalegals.org
• The State Bar of Texas (SBOT), Paralegal Division at www.txpd.org
• J.L. Turner Legal Association, Paralegal Division at www.jltla.org
• The North Texas Paralegal Association (NTPA) at www.ntparalegals.org
• The College of the State Bar of Texas, Paralegal Division at www.texasbar.com
• The Fort Worth Paralegal Association (FWPA) at www.fwpa.org
About the Author: Trina Brown is a seasoned Paralegal with over 16 years of substantive paralegal experience. She obtained her Paralegal Certificate in 1997; BA in Business in 2004, anticipates her Masters degree in Paralegal Studies and is one of five Texas American Alliance Certified Paralegals. Trina has various Board appointments within many DFW Paralegal Associations. To subscribe to Trina Brown's column, please click the link above. To read Trina’s blog, The Senior Paralegal, click here. You can also follow her on Twitter: @SeniorParalegal.
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