NFPA Policy Manual

RESOLVED, that preparation of a hypothetical model of a paralegal certification program, patterned after that developed for the insurance industry by the Insurance Institute of America and the American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters, as set forth in their "Key Information," a copy of which is attached* hereto, by the Education Committee for the Federation, be and hereby is approved. [* not included with these minutes]

RESOLVED, that implementation of research on compliance with antitrust regulations of paralegal certification by a broadly based autonomous body made up of paralegals, attorneys, legal educators and consumers of legal services for the Federation be and hereby is approved; FURTHER RESOLVED, that a final written report on the antitrust issue be submitted to the Federation's Directors by January 15, 1983.

RESOLVED, that the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc., a professional organization of over 27 state and local associations representing more than 6,000 legal assistants across the country has addressed the issue of certification of legal assistants since its founding. The Federation recognizes that certification is of national concern and that although substantial study of the topic has undertaken, none of the studies has resulted in an acceptable method of measuring competence nor providing members of the profession with the type of recognition they deserve or desire.

The Federation will continue to actively study and seek input on the subject of certification. The Federation recognizes the benefits which some certification programs have brought to other professions, and will continue to actively study and seek input on the subject. It may endorse certification of legal assistants when and if it is determined certification is valuable to this profession and those who use its services.

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that all NFPA statements regarding certification of legal assistants created prior to the 1983 Annual Meeting be used hereafter as historical reference only and that they not be considered to represent the membership's current stand on certification.

RESOLVED, that the duties of the Certification Committee of the Federation be as follows:

1. Conduct a study and prepare a historical perspective of certification and licensure in other professions; this study should include, but not be limited to, the point in the development of each profession at which certification was desired or implemented, the effect of certification on the public interest including salaries, growth and education, and a comparison of the point at which certification came into being in other professions with the stage of development at which the Committee determines the paralegal profession to be;
2. Coordinate an informal poll of the membership of the Federation to determine interest in and desire for some form of professional recognition, such polls to be conducted by the member associations, for instance, at a general membership meeting or through their local newsletters;
3. Continuously monitor the certification issue as it pertains to paralegals throughout the nation, including any action(s) taken by any groups (i.e., governmental, national, state or county bar associations, task forces, paralegal/legal educators, other paralegal organizations, etc.) and update the Certification Committee's library;
4. Study the NALA certification process and its effect on the paralegal profession, the public and the legal community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that during the 1983-1984 year the Committee confine itself to these duties only; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said committee findings be treated as findings only, and not the opinion of the membership until incorporation into an accepted statement on certification.

RESOLVED, that the NFPA Certification Committee be restructured to consist of no more than ten member associations, with at least one member from each region; said committee members to be assigned at the 1983 Annual Meeting, in the same manner as other committee assignments, but in any event by July 15, 1983; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Committee adhere to the following deadlines:

• On or before 7/15/83 - Committee assignment complete
• On or before 7/31/83 - Committee Chairman appointed by policy Vice-President
• On or before 8/30/83 - Tasks assigned to committee members and tentative date set for completion of tasks; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Certification Committee be directed to complete its assigned tasks and prepare a report of its findings in time for presentation at the 1984 Annual Meeting; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that at the completion of the assigned tasks, the findings of this and related committees be incorporated into a Statement on Certification to be prepared during the 1984-1985 year and presented to the membership by March 1, 1985.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the NFPA contact the ABA, the educators, NALA and paralegal administrators to set up an initial meeting of interested persons from those groups to begin a joint study of certification;

RESOLVED FURTHER: That a representative from the NFPA certification committee be elected at the 11th Annual Meeting to attend an initial meeting and any subsequent meetings during the year and to report back to the Certification Committee and to the members of NFPA after each meeting. (The representative will make no binding commitments on behalf of NFPA without prior Board approval.)

RESOLVED FURTHER: That the NFPA authorize funds from the budget of up to $850 for hotel and travel expenses for a representative to attend meetings of the study group for one year;

RESOLVED FURTHER: That after one year, participation be evaluated to determine whether it has been beneficial to the paralegal profession and to the public interest and if further participation is warranted.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NFPA advocates that practicing paralegals meet the following character and fitness criteria:

Any practicing paralegal shall:

(a) Not have been convicted of a felony or comparable crime as defined by an individual state or jurisdiction that does not have a felony designation;

(b) Not have been suspended or disbarred from the practice of law in any state or jurisdiction;

(c) Not have been convicted of the unauthorized practice of law in any state or jurisdiction;

(d) For reasons of misconduct, not be currently under suspension, termination or revocation of a certification, registration, license to practice by a professional organization, court, disciplinary board, or agency in any jurisdiction.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all NFPA's prior resolutions that delineate character and fitness criteria policies be changed to conform with this resolution.

RESOLVED, that NFPA adopt a program for the awarding of CLE credits.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the National Federation of Paralegal Associations support a National Conference on Paralegals to take place during the same week of the next annual meeting of the NFPA in June, 1981. Such National Conference of Paralegals will be sponsored and attended by a consortium of national groups interested in the development of the paralegal profession, including the NFPA, paralegal educators, paralegals, attorneys, and other interested institutions and individuals and will address issues relevant to the paralegal profession.

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