NFPA Policy Manual

ABA APPROVAL COMMISSION
83-19
Vote Tally: 19-Y, 6-N, 0-A
Association:
STATUS:

BE IT RESOLVED that the NFPA establish an Ad Hoc Committee for the purpose of establishing an independent, autonomous body which has equal representation by paralegals to set standards and guidelines for approving and/or accrediting paralegal training programs, and until such time as said body is formed and functioning in a capacity to approve and/or accredit paralegal training programs;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NFPA advise the ABA of our commitment and availability to participate on the ABA Program Approval Commission, with the anticipation that our participation will help foster further working relationships with the ABA, and to represent our separate and unique perspectives relative to the development of the paralegal profession and the establishment of standards in paralegal education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said representative be nominated by the Regional Directors and elected by the majority vote of members for a period of one year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NFPA authorize funds from the budget for a representative to participate on the ABA Commission for one year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that after one year said participation be evaluated to determine whether it has been beneficial to the paralegal profession and if further participation is warranted.

WHEREAS, in June, 1983, by resolution No. 83-19, the membership voted to participate on the ABA commission for program approval; it is now deemed necessary and advisable, for the sake of clarification, to amend and restate the wording of said resolution, with regard to the term and election of the Federation's representative to that commission.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the term of the appointment of said Federation representative shall commence from the date said appointment is approved by the ABA and last for an initial term of year as designated by the commission.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that each region of the Federation shall nominate one candidate (not necessarily from their respective region) to represent the Federation on the commission. Said nominee's name and credentials shall be submitted by each Regional Director to the President of the Federation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a vote of the membership be taken to determine candidate preference by ranking the nominees. The nominee with the most votes be the Federation's choice as representative to said commission and timely submitted to the ABA for appointment.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the value of the Federation's participation on the ABA commission be reviewed by the membership annually at each annual meeting to access participation from term to term.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the NFPA review its participation on the ABA Approval Commission in the year its current representative's term expires.

RESOLVED, that the NFPA advise the ABA that we do not endorse the concept of the legal assistant associate membership in the ABA as presently proposed.

RESOLVED, that the President of NFPA respond to the proposal for associate membership for legal assistants in the ABA by reaffirming the position taken by NFPA at the 1986 Annual Meeting.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to the NFPA Mission Statement and Strategic Long Range Plan, the NFPA does not endorse the concept of an associate membership for paralegals/legal assistants in any professional organization comprised of attorneys.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Federation of Paralegal Associations appoint an Advisory Board, composed of a broadly-based group of individuals interested in supporting the development of the Paralegal profession.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the above proposal be reviewed by the member associations and comments be submitted to the Board of Directors by October 15, 1980; and that the Board of Directors submit a final proposal for approval by members by January 15, 1981.

RESOLVED, That the Guidelines[*] attached hereto concerning the procedures for appointing and maintaining an Advisory Board be and they hereby are adopted.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the National Federation of Paralegal Associations shall appoint an Advisory Board, commencing with the fiscal year, 1981-1982.

RESOLVED that the NFPA Board of Directors shall develop a program which will target the education of members of the legal profession concerning the utilization of paralegals and their cost effectiveness.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board shall direct an existing committee to immediately develop a plan to implement such a program, which may include advertising, personal presentations, association seminars, continuing legal education, development or written or videotaped materials and, if sufficient funding can be found in the current budget, begin to implement at least part of the plan as soon as possible. All such materials shall be available for each individual association to use for it's own local program.

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