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What is a Paralegal?
NFPA Definition: A paralegal is a person qualified through education, training or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency or other entity or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work.
Keystone Alliance Definition: A paralegal / legal assistant is a person who is qualified through education, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work requiring knowledge of legal concepts and ethics and is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency, or other entity to work under the direction of an attorney or pursuant to state statute, administrative regulation or court authority in a capacity that, in most instances, would be performed by an attorney in the absence of a paralegal. The terms "paralegal" and "legal assistant" may be used interchangeably.
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The Pittsburgh Paralegal Association ("PPA") is a voluntary, non-profit association formed in 1977 to promote the professional development and continuing education of paralegals. PPA now has approximately 460 members from the greater Pittsburgh area and receives additional support from affiliate members, area law firms, paralegal training programs and the Allegheny County Bar Association. Members are from all areas of the legal community, including law firms, banks, corporations, hospitals, the public sector and educational institutions.
