South Carolina Paralegal Blog
February 6, 2013
South Carolina Paralegal Blog
http://paralegals.uslegalblogs.com/category/states/southcarolina/Local Paralegal Associations
Description: The Palmetto Paralegal Association (PPA), formerly known as the Columbia Legal Assistant Association promotes professional development through continuing legal education. The association is also keen on enhancing the recognition of the paralegal profession within the legal community.
Contact:
Palmetto Paralegal Association
P.O. BOX 11634
Columbia, SC 29211-1634
Telephone: (803) 252-0460
Email:Palmetto@paralegals.org
Website: http://www.ppasc.org
President: Leslie Dewey
To join PPA or renew an existing membership, please download an application by clicking one of the links below. Send your completed application, any required supporting documents, and check for membership fees to Membership Chairman, Palmetto Paralegal Association, P. O. Box 11634, Columbia, SC 29211.
Membership Applications and Fees
- Voting/Associate: $85
- Student: $30
- Sustaining: $130
If you have any questions, please contact Diana Cohen at dcohen@mckayfirm.com.
Description: The South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association (SCUPA) was formed in order to promote the paralegal profession and to provide a forum for continuing legal education for paralegals in upstate South Carolina. SCUPA is a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants and a member of the South Carolina Alliance of Legal Assistant Associations. SCUPA also participates in a wide variety of civic and philanthropic endeavors in an effort to improve the upstate community.
Contact:
South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association
P.O. Box 10491
Greenville, South Carolina 29603
Email: info@scupa.org Website: http://www.scupa.org/contact.php
Description: Membership in the Charleston Association of Legal Assistants is a benefit to every paralegal in Charleston and surrounding areas. Benefits of Membership include quarterly meetings for paralegal CLE hours, and provision of job bank. CALA participates in community involvement through fund raisers, community service and assistance with bar association functions.
Contact:
Charleston Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.
P.O. Box 1260
Charleston, SC 29402
Website: http://www.charlestonlegalassistants.org/contact.html
See application for membership types. Full membership is 60.00/ year.
Application: http://www.charlestonlegalassistants.org/pdf/MEMBERSHIP_APPLICATION_2012.pdf
National Associations
Website: http://www.paralegals.org
Membership in the Palmetto Paralegal Association gives automatic membership to NFPA.
*It does not appear that there are member associations from the Low Country or Upstate.
Individuals may join NFPA directly using either our online form (Visa/MC/Amex) or the PDF version. Individual/Student / Military. (However, membership is not available to those incarcerated.)
- Individual Sustaining Membership
- Please include resume with your application as the processing will be delayed until practice can be verified.
- Military Membership
- Available to paralegals currently serving on Active Duty in the armed forces of the United States no matter where they are stationed.
- Please include a photocopy (paper application) or scan (electronic application; PDF or JPG) of the front of your military ID card as the processing will be delayed until service can be verified.
- Student Membership
- Must be a current student of paralegal studies or a recent graduate. Please include a copy of your school transcript with your application as the processing will be delayed until qualifying studies can be verified.
Website: http://www.nala.org/
Affiliated Associations:
South Carolina *Receive a waiver of 15.00 initiation fee.
Charleston Association of Legal Assistants
South Carolina Upstate Paralegal Association
The annual fee to an association for affiliation in NALA is a flat rate of $225. The annual affiliation fee for student associations is a flat rate of $50. Attributes of the affiliated association program include:
Members of NALA affiliated associations are not required to become members of NALA, except the affiliated association's NALA Liaison. NALA believes membership in a national association is a choice best left to individual legal assistants.
Affiliation with NALA does not jeopardize the unique programs and philosophies of the affiliated association and its members.
During the July annual meeting, a 1/2 day is dedicated to an annual meeting of NALA affiliated associations, providing an opportunity for members to share their experiences and programs, successes and difficulties. Issues in association management are also discussed. The discussions and presentations have proven to be very helpful.
Website: http://www.aapipara.org/
In order to be a Voting Member of the American Alliance, you must be a practicing paralegal, and must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree and two years paralegal experience
- Bachelor’s degree and a two-year paralegal certificate
- An Associate’s degree, a two-year paralegal certificate, and two years paralegal experience
- An Associate’s degree and four years paralegal experience
- A paralegal certificate and six years current paralegal experience
If you do not meet the above criteria, you may join the American Alliance as an associate member.
Sustaining membership is also available (law firms, educators, corporations, etc.).
Sponsors and vendors may also join the American Alliance.
Annual Membership Dues:
Member - $20.00/year
Associate member - $20.00/year
Sustaining member - $50.00/year
Sponsor/vendor - $200.00/year
