The paralegal profession has been growing in size and recognition in recent years which can be seen by the establishment of national associations dedicated to the profession, such as The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). Both of these organizations were developed to promote the paralegal profession and examine all areas of the legal system that affect paralegals. 

The NFPA sets forth certain guidelines for which all its members are required to follow and details specific procedures and license requirements for paralegals; some of its policies differ from those of the NALA. The NFPA is responsive to its members, answering questions posed by its members and considering input about areas that may need improvement. By establishing a code of ethics, the NFPA promotes unity within the profession.

Established in 1974, the NFPA was the first organization of its kind dedicated to paralegals. Its membership now consists of 50 professional organizations and represents the interests of about 11,000 members. The NFPA keeps up to date on policy changes and legislature relevant to the paralegal career. This organization has spoken on behalf of all paralegals in situations involving the bar association and the Department of Labor standards.

In order to keep the paralegal profession running efficiently and providing the highest quality of service to the general public, the NFPA has developed the Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement. This document holds paralegals to the highest standards of ethics and service. This Code of Ethics endorses the administration of the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) which functions to measure the competency of a paralegal and gives guidelines to improve the knowledge and responsibility of paralegals. The NFPA works with the American Bar Association to ensure that all practicing paralegals have an appropriate four year degree and are properly licensed.

The NFPA adopted the Model Disciplinary Rules to which all paralegals are obligated to abide by. The Rules demand that a paralegal maintain a high level of competence. Through education, license, and work experience paralegals must perform their duties with the utmost competency. Because the law is an ever changing system, it is necessary that paralegals continue to learn and evolve. 

The Rules also lay out a strict set of ethical codes to ensure that paralegals maintain a high level of personal and professional integrity. Paralegals must deliver quality legal services to clients, including pro bono work. These guidelines insist that a paralegal dedicate a certain amount of hours per year to providing free legal services to those in need. Paralegals shall keep all client information confidential, even after the paralegal-client relationship ends. All of these rules and ethics are to ensure that paralegals perform services at the highest level and continue to promote the advancement of the profession.

Responding to the growth and recognition of the paralegal profession in recent years, national organizations have been established to oversee its functions, such as the National Federation of Paralegals Association (NFPA). The NFPA was founded in 1974 and sets forth certain guidelines for which all its members are required to follow and details specific procedures and license requirements for paralegals. Its now consists of 50 professional organizations and represents the interests of about 11,000 members. The Model Disciplinary Rules are a set of guidelines and ethic codes to which all members are strictly held. This organization offers additional education for paralegals and administers an exam to ensure the competency of all its members.

Similar to the NFPA, the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), is an organization dedicated to the advancement of paralegals, which offers aid in finding employment, opportunities for further education, and professional certification. The NALA also has a Code of Ethics which outline the duties and professional responsibilities of a paralegal. They also identify those responsibilities which are reserved only for attorneys and should never be performed solely by a paralegal. Legal assistants are ethically bound to these codes and must not engage in any activity that is considered an ethical violation. The NALA also aids paralegals in becoming certified.

   

The American Bar Association (ABA) is a national organization of attorney and law students whose main function is to set a series of ethical codes and conduct by which all attorneys must adhere. The ABA is responsible for the accreditation of law schools as well as improving the application of the legal system for the general public. Within the ABA, The Standing Committee on Legal Assistants (SCOLA) establishes a standard of conduct that promotes the fair and effective use of paralegals by attorneys. SCOLA oversees the ABA’s General Approval Process which outlines the education and training qualifications of paralegals and legal assistants. SCOLA promotes the paralegal profession by offering attorneys a variety of reasons why paralegals will benefit their practice.

Each state has its own bar association which is responsible for representing the interests of all attorneys within that state. The responsibilities of a state bar association include administering the bar examination to law students, maintaining an attorney directory to aid the general public, or possibly administering sanctions against attorneys who have committed ethical violations. Within each state bar association, there is generally a division that is dedicated to promoting the paralegal profession. Similar to the national associations, the state bar association offers paralegals a code of ethics and professional conduct as well as opportunities for further education. The code requires paralegals to conduct themselves with full competency and integrity in serving the public. A paralegal may gain membership to this division as an active member, an associate member, or a student.

Paralegals and legal assistants must be aware of the standard of ethics and conduct under which they are expected to perform. It is very beneficial for anyone in this profession to become a member of a local paralegal association. These organizations will assist paralegals in connecting with attorneys from which they might find employment, as well as receive important information concerning the legal system. Any paralegal looking to advance his knowledge within his field will be able to find educational programs from his local paralegal association and have the opportunity to earn an advanced degree.

Founded in 1878, the American Bar Association (ABA) is an organization of attorneys and law students that is dedicated to setting the standards and ethical codes by which all attorneys must operate. An important function of this organization is to monitor educational institutions to ensure quality education to law students. 

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct was adopted by the ABA in 1983 and sets forth ethical standards of professional responsibility for attorneys. These rules have been modified several times. The ABA provides accreditation for law schools, which is an important part of its function, because, in almost all cases, students must graduate from an accredited law school in order to take the bar examination. 

The ABA also offers continuing education programs for attorneys and judges to ensure that they are performing to the best of their ability. In a broader sense, the ABA is also responsible for improving the application of the legal system for the general public.

The ABA also has a division which exclusively oversees the work of paralegals. The Standing Committee on Legal Assistants (SCOLA) is an organization in association with the ABA that’s main purpose is to establish standards of conduct that promote the fair and effective use of paralegals by attorneys. SCOLA focuses on training and furthering the education of paralegals to ensure that they are providing services competently and ethically.

SCOLA oversees the ABA’s General Approval Process which outlines the qualifications necessary for a paralegal to practice under a supervising attorney. In order to meet this standard, paralegals must receive training from an approved education program. This Approval Commission has led to the development of quality education programs to further the paralegal profession. 

They are all supervised by the Approval Commission to ensure that they are effectively teaching the standards necessary to offer quality legal services. Interim reports are required of these programs which are reviewed and any necessary changes are suggested. As the legal system develops and changes, SCOLA updates their standards of approval to reflect the most current issues facing paralegals. Annually, the Standing Committee attends a national conference for paralegals, attorneys, educational programs, and consumers of paralegal services to ensure that all standards are being met.  

In order to advance the professional careers of paralegals, SCOLA offers attorneys many reasons why the use of a paralegal will benefit their practice. Many law firms that have recognized these benefits have increased the salary of paralegals and provided them with more responsibilities. SCOLA also benefits attorneys by providing education programs that will improve the quality of performance among their staff.