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Becoming A Member Of An Alaska Paralegal Association

By Maryanne Goff


A paralegal is a person who works closely with qualified attorneys on a variety of legal matters. These professionals are currently employed all throughout the United States, and most states have their own rules and regulations governing their work. If this career interests you and you live in Alaska, you may want to consider joining an alaska paralegal association.

For starters, you need to consider whether this is the right career for you. You are not required to be educated to the same level as qualified attorneys; however, they are relied upon very heavily by the lawyers they work with. The position demands that you be knowledgeable of the proper legal procedures for filing and preparing documents, and you must be prepared to work in a very demanding environment.

You can start searching for information with the specific organization that overseas paralegals in Alaska. The Alaska Association of Paralegals governs the professionals there. The AAP ensures that its members have the proper qualifications and that they always adhere to good conduct principles. Their website has a lot of information on this group.

The AAP has been in existence for more than thirty years, with the goal of developing this profession. The board of directors oversees all of the members of the AAP, and they are elected every year at the annual meeting of members. The group also has different sub-committees to overview various matters, such as ethics and training.

The goal of the organization is promoting educational advancement as well as professional development for paralegals. The group also focuses on continuing education for its members. Upholding honor, integrity and professionalism are also mandates of the AAP, as well as protecting the interest of the public.

The AAP supports its members in various ways. It holds monthly lunch meetings, which often feature guest speakers from the community. It also holds educational seminars on different topic areas that are of interest to its members. The quarterly newsletter also keeps members current on the latest news, upcoming speakers and courses.

If you are interested in joining, you should first consider whether you qualify for any of the classes of membership. The full member class is for those who are currently working in the profession; these members are able to vote in meetings. An associate member is someone who is not working as a paralegal, but just has an interest in the profession. Associate members cannot vote in meetings. Student members are those enrolled in a program with the goal of becoming a full member in the future.

Joining an alaska paralegal association can be worthwhile if you intend to practice in that state, as doing so will give you a network of support in your career. Whether you are just looking for information, or planning to complete PACE, which is the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam, you will find a lot of information on the internet. Ensure that whichever group you choose to join is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, so that you can be sure they are certified.




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