Louisiana State Paralegal Association

Founder and Administrator of the LCP Certification

LSPA MEMBERSHIP
 

Louisiana State Paralegal Association, Inc.

 BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP IN LSPA

Promotion of the paralegal profession, paralegal education, and ethical conduct for paralegals in the State of Louisiana and specifically in cooperation with local and state bar associations

 

Networking opportunities with other paralegals throughout the State of Louisiana.

 

Free subscription to LSPA's quarterly newsletter, The Advocate, which is prepared especially for Louisiana paralegals, contains information on CLE, organization activities, professional achievements, local paralegal association activities, and features regular articles and columns of special interest to paralegals such as "Ethics Talk," "Computer Talk," and "Paralegal Student News"          

 

Two annual statewide continuing education opportunities which are specific to paralegal education interests and needs, plus a yearly LCP Review Course which also serves as CLE and the preparation for paralegals desiring to take the LCP examination, all of which offer reduced tuition benefits to LSPA members.

 

Affiliation with the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.

 

Acknowledging and rewarding paralegal excellence through various awards such as LSPA's Outstanding Paralegal of the Year Award, the Meritorious Service Award, and Service Achievement Award.

 

Take advantage of a statewide Job Bank available and accessible to LSPA members only.

 

A Lobbying Committee which actively and continuously monitors legislation and jurisprudence that could in any way affect the paralegal profession in Louisiana and which stands ready to lobby for paralegal interests in our state.

 

Paralegal Compensation & Utilization Survey

 

Website which provides LSPA's history, mission statement, membership applications, news, activities, LCP examination schedules, seminar schedules, and legal links.

 

Administration of the LCP (Louisiana Certified Paralegal) examination, which provides an opportunity for Louisiana paralegals to demonstrate their high level of knowledge of Louisiana law (connected to NALA's CLA examination)

 

For further information on joining LSPA, please contact LSPA First Vice President, Debbie Billiot at dcb1030@yahoo.com


 
Join LSPA now in order to take advantage of our many membership benefits, including member discounts for continuing legal education seminars. 


 
LSPA MEMBERSHIP CLASSES

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

             A.         Voting Member - Any individual who meets at least one of the following requirements may become a voting member.
                         1.         Any individual who has graduated from an ABA approved program of study for legal assistants.
                         2.         Any individual who has graduated from a course of study for legal assistants which is institutionally accredited but not ABA approved, and which requires not less than the equivalent of 60 semester hours of classroom study.
                         3.         Any individual who has graduated from a course of study for legal assistants other than those set forth in (1) and (2) above, and who also has at least one year of experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a licensed attorney who attests such person is qualified as a legal assistant.
                         4.         Any individual who has attained a Bachelor's Degree in any field and has at least one year of experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a licensed attorney who attests such person is qualified as a legal assistant.
                         5.         Any individual who has at least three years of experience as a legal assistant under the supervision of a licensed attorney who attests such person is qualified as a legal assistant.
                         6.         Any individual who has attained the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) designation bestowed by the National Association of Legal Assistants or who has attained the Louisiana Certified Paralegal (LCP) designation bestowed by the Louisiana State Paralegal Association.
             A voting member shall be entitled to one vote on all matters which require the vote of the members of the Association and shall have the right to make motions and hold office subject to the further requirements set forth under Article VII, Section 1 of the LSPA By-laws.

             B.         Associate/Student Member - Any individual who meets at least one of the following requirements may become an associate/student member.
                         1.         Any individual who is a student in good standing in any approved university, college, junior college or other approved school for pursuing a course of study as a paralegal, provided that all such schools and curricula shall be subject to the approval of this Association.
                         2.         Any working paralegal who does not meet the qualifications for voting membership.
             Associate/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 or hold office.

             C.        Sustaining Member - The following may become sustaining members.
                         1.         Any individual, corporation, partnership, organization or other entity interested in supporting the Association.
                         2.         Those members of bar associations endorsing the paralegal concept or involved in the advancement of the paralegal profession.
             Sustaining 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 or hold office.

             D.        Honorary Member - Membership is open to any individual who endorses the paralegal concept or is actively involved in the promotion of the paralegal profession. Approval for membership is subject to a majority vote of the general membership.
             Honorary 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 or hold office.