Updated: November 8, 2000

Introduction

The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) offers this statement to describe various subjects that affect the direction of the paralegal profession. This statement describes NFPA's background and positions on paralegal definition, education, responsibilities, ethics and regulation.

The paralegal profession emerged in approximately 1968. After the American Bar Association declared that paralegals were cost-efficient partners in, and a viable alternative to, the way legal services are delivered, the profession experienced significant progress, growth and development. Nearly thirty-plus years later, the challenge before us is to continue that tradition.