Pittsburgh Paralegals Association Membership Information

Membership Types

Voting Member

Open to any individual currently employed as a Paralegal for at least six (6) months and who holds one of the following from an education institution or paralegal education program accredited by an accrediting institution/agency appearing on the PPA-approved list:

• Bachelors or Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies
• Bachelors or Associates Degree in any field and a paralegal certificate from a paralegal education program

Applicants not having a Bachelor’s or Associates Degree may qualify for Voting Membership with five years of employment as a paralegal.

Voting members MUST earn 3 CLE credits, .5 of which is required to be Ethics.

Associate Member

Open to any individual whom:

• Is a new member of PPA (first year, until Voting Member Status is met); or
• Is employed or retained as a paralegal and does not meet the criteria for Voting Membership; or
• Was previously employed as a paralegal, but currently is unemployed, under-employed or retired; or
• Is a member in good standing of an NFPA member association other than PPA; or
• Is a graduate of a Paralegal Education Program and currently is unemployed or under-employed; or
• Is a paralegal manager, coordinator, administrator or is employed in a similar position applying past experience and/or education as a paralegal in a current position and who does not also perform paralegal duties.

Student Member

Open to any individual currently enrolled in a Paralegal Education Program.

Sustaining Member

Open to any individual or entity not meeting the criteria for a Voting or Associate Member and who or which is interested in being involved in and supporting the goals and purposes of PPA.

Membership Benefits

Publications

PPA's newsletter, The ParaScope, is published bi-monthly and is a benefit provided with membership. The ParaScope contains information of upcoming meetings and seminars, policy matters and general news. The ParaScope is also available online through our website.

Activities and Services

PPA holds monthly General Meetings every third Wednesday of the month. These meetings feature guest speakers on a variety of topics. PPA also sponsors full and half day education seminars designed to cover more complete areas of the law. PPA also has it's Annual Dinner and Paralegal Day celebration, along with a holiday luncheon.

Job Bank

PPA maintains a job bank that is free to both members and prospective employers. Job advertisements are placed on the PPA's web site or are disseminated directly to the members by e-mail or fax.

NFPA Membership

By virtue of being a member in PPA, you automatically become a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, or NFPA, our national affiliation. This membership entitles you to receive their quarterly magazine, The Reporter, as well as access to information regarding national issues that involve the paralegal profession.