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Benefits of Membership

 

The Missouri Paralegal Association is the only professional paralegal association designed for members from all corners of the state - and those who may live outside of Missouri, but work here or are supportive of our profession. Paralegals, including students, currently employed paralegals, and businesses and affiliated legal service providers are in a unique position to obtain great advantages as a member of the Missouri Paralegal Association. Some of our benefits are listed below. 

 

National Level

Missouri Paralegal Association is proud to have an agreement with other professional associations. In 2023, this includes both the Illinois Paralegal Association and the New Orleans Paralegal Association. With this agreement, our members get the added benefit of connecting with paralegals in these associations as well. PLUS, our members will be invited to attend at least 4 additional CLE webinars offered through their associations. 

 

State Level

All MPA membership levels include at least 10 virtual CLE webinars each year (with CLE credit offered through MoBar or national professional associations),  inclusion in our newsletters and member-exclusive communications, invitations to both in-person and virtual social events, access to all details of job bank postings that are usually not published on regular websites, discounts on additional educational programming, and much more!

 

The Missouri Paralegal Association has an excellent relationship with the Missouri Bar Association (MoBar). In fact, when MoBar ceased operation of a Paralegal Committee, MPA members successfully petitioned MoBar to have the group re-established. Now, we meet twice per year at the spring and fall sessions of MoBar and work collaboratively on the future of the paralegal profession in the state. No other paralegal association in Missouri can flaunt these credentials - but we would love to work more with them in the future!

 

Are you a student interested in what the daily life of a paralegal entails? Are you a legal services provider (copy services, eDiscovery, legal recruiter, process server, mobile notary, record collection, etc.) and wanting to partner up with paralegals you serve daily? Need a process server on the other side of the state, thinking about moving to a bigger city, can't find a form or template you need for a type of case you don't work very often, or have questions about being a Missouri notary? These are all great topics that fellow MPA members are happy to answer!

 

District Level

MPA members in each district are encouraged to connect with each other - in person or over video conference - via the charity events some District Directors plan, social events, business associate happy hours, meet and greets, online forums, and email messaging.

 

Further, there are leadership opportunities at every level - and they all benefit you, your association, and most importantly - the advancement of the paralegal profession!

 

We're always looking for new ways to offer you the most relevant, most useful, and most beneficial additions to your membership. If you have more ideas, bring them to us!

 

This organization exists for you and we love hearing your ideas, suggestions, and having you get involved. We are transparent, professional, and fun! We can't wait to count you as a MPA member soon!

Membership Requirements

  • Be eligible to vote in state and federal elections, or be a permanent resident of the United States
  • Not be disbarred from any state bar association
  • Perform substantive legal duties for at least 51% of full time employment needs, as outlined by the American Bar Association to be identified as a "paralegal" (this requirement is waived for the Sustaining and Affiliate categories)
  • Live or work in the state of Missouri, or perform work for and be supervised by an attorney licensed in the state of Missouri (this requirement is waived for the Sustaining, Affiliate, and Non Resident categories)
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Annual Membership Dues


- Associate: $50
- Voting - $70
- Non Resident - $35
- Affiliate - $75
- Sustaining - $150 / $250 


Collaborate

Associate/ Student

  • Not employed as a paralegal
  • Paralegal students and paralegals with less than 1 year of experience
  • Students must be enrolled in a Bachelor's or Association's degree program, with an emphasis in Paralegal Studies or a Paralegal Certificate program - approved by the ABA or MPA on a case by case basis

Voting

  • Must be employed as a paralegal, performing substantive legal tasks
  • Must meet one of the educational/experience requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Legal/Paralegal Studies
  • Bachelor's degree in any field, plus a paralegal certificate from an ABA or MPA approved institution (case by case basis)
  • Associates degree in any field, plus a paralegal certificate from an ABA or MPA approved institution (case by case basis), plus one year of paralegal experience
  • paralegal certificate from an institution accredited by either the ABA or an MPA approved program, plus one year of paralegal experience
  • Three years of consecutive paralegal experience with no formal education.

Affiliate

  • Any individual interested in supporting MPA

Non Resident

  • Must be employed as a paralegal, performing substantive legal tasks
  • Will meet at least one of these qualifications:
  • Baccalaureate degree in or with an emphasis in Paralegal Studies,
  • Degree in any field PLUS a Paralegal Certificate obtained from an ABA accredited or approved school or approved by the Association,
  • Associate degree in or with an emphasis in Paralegal Studies PLUS one year of paralegal experience,
  • Associate degree in any field PLUS a Paralegal Certificate obtained from an ABA accredited or approved school or approved by the Association, PLUS one year of paralegal experience,
  • Three years of consecutive paralegal experience with no formal paralegal education. 

Sustaining

  • Any partnership, corporation, LLC, or other entity interested in supporting the mission and goals of MPA