Benefits of Membership

Regional and Networking Sections

LAPA has many opportunities for meeting and connecting with your paralegal colleagues and other legal industry professionals. Such opportunities include seminar and networking events based on geographical locations such as Downtown (LA), South Bay, and San Fernando Valley. Additionally, with the support of our legal industry partners, LAPA also hosts other networking events, mixers and social events.

Continuing Legal Education

LAPA is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider and offers continuing legal education seminars through our legal specialty sections. Those sections include Bankruptcy, Probate & Estate Planning, Family Law, Immigration Law, Corporate/Real Estate, Intellectual Property Law, Litigation, and more.

October Conference

LAPA’s annual premiere event which provides a full day of topical legal educational seminars, an ethics session, entertaining keynote speakers, resume tune-up and access to a wide range of legal service providers. If you attend only one event a year, this is the event to get your CLE and networking opportunities.

Spring Career Conference

Our half-day event is focused on providing paralegals with the tools to obtain that first position, transitioning into a new specialty or position or taking your career to the next level. This event features a variety of legal and placement industry panelists discussing a wide range of career building opportunities. Placement experts also provide feedback on your resume to maximize your career potential.

Certified Legal Assistant/Certified Paralegal (CLA/CP) Review Course

LAPA is looking into re-establishing a review course for the CP exam offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (“NALA”) for its professional credential. The course will assist paralegals in studying for the exam to refresh their knowledge in the various legal areas required to master the NALA CP exam.

Community Involvement

LAPA is committed to helping the community through a variety of different programs including food and toy drives, a Pro Bono Fair, and our Holiday Benefit Gala. We have an active Pro Bono Section which provides information on the opportunities for volunteer positions and internships with community organizations. These organizations provide low or no cost legal services to those in need.

Career Center

Post your resume or search for a new job at LAPA’s Career Center online. This is your destination for exciting legal job opportunities and the best resource for qualified candidates. This job board is custom tailored for the legal industry and attracts the most qualified professionals in California.

LAPA Newsletter The Reporter

Our monthly full color electronic publication packed with substantive legal articles, upcoming seminar information (dates, speakers, and highlights), local, state and national association information (LAPA, NALA), technology articles, general information articles, a Presidents’ Message, Letter from the Editor, Board and Association contact information, and the many legal service providers that support the Association with advertising.

NALA The Paralegal Association

LAPA is an affiliated member of NALA, the National Association of Legal Assistants, which is the nation’s leading professional association for paralegals. NALA provides several of its own benefits, separate and apart from LAPA. Access to current information about the profession, continuing education programs (publications, courses and webinars), networking opportunities, professional certification programs (Certified Paralegal (CP) and Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP)), occupational survey reports, and publications to help paralegals excel in the workplace. The CP Exam consists of a Knowledge section (on-demand, year-round at testing centers) and a Skills section (February, April, July, and October). NALA’s annual three-day educational convention in July allows you to expand your network beyond your state’s borders as you network with other paralegals from around the country, attend educational institutes and member related activities.

Members Only Discounts

Freelance/Contract Paralegal Listing

LAPA provides a “Freelance Paralegals” section on its website to assist LAPA members who are freelance, contract, or independent paralegals, as defined by California Business and Professions Code Section 6450. For a nominal fee of $60, you can post your contact information on LAPA’s website for six months. You can sign up online through the Members Only section of the website.

ACEDS - 10% Off Discount

The Association of E-Discovery Specialist (ACEDS) is a worldwide organization for private and public sector professionals who work in the e-discovery field. ACEDS provides membership, training, and certification opportunities to the global e-discovery community. By becoming a member of ACEDS, you also have the opportunity to join the ACEDS LA Chapter. As a new benefit, ACEDS is now offering a discount for LAPA members. For more information and to receive your member discount, please contact Marla Mohr at mmohr@aceds.org. more

United Insurance Partners

LAPA has teamed with UIP - United Insurance Partners - to bring LAPA members the opportunity to purchase health, dental, and/or vision insurance. When you access UIP through the link provided on the Members-only webpage, you will find an array of insurance products available for you to purchase with companies such as Blue Cross, Aetna, and many other top insurance companies. Simply login, go to the Benefits webpage and follow the link provided.

Membership Database & Members Only Blog

Available only to LAPA members, the Membership Database is a valuable tool in locating other paralegals or legal professionals you have worked or networked with. The Membership Database provides up to date contact information as well as specialty areas. The Member Blog allows members to ask questions, announce industry related news and post legal related events such as free MCLE. Check ou thte Blog on the Members-only page.

Credit Union

LAPA members are eligible to join Southland Credit Union. Southland Credit Union, with over $435 million in assets, offers an online presence, a new full-service branch in downtown Los Angeles, an upgraded ATM network and five new proprietary ATMs. Southland Credit Union has expanded its product line by introducing a new high-yielding certificate of deposit, a Rewards Plus program and a market-leading high interest yielding checking account. Southland Credit Union prides itself on outstanding service to its members and has recently earned a 95 percent Member Service satisfaction rating.

PARALEGAL WRITER

A 15% discount off my Pen A Memo™ and Legal Scribble Sessions™ courses (full price cost) to LAPA members.