About Us
EL PASO PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION
BRIEF HISTORY AND GENERAL INFORMATION
The El Paso Association of Legal Assistants (EPALA) was formed in February 1982 to meet a growing need among legal assistants for a professional organization to further its members' professional development and advancement of the legal profession in El Paso. In 2003, the membership voted to change the name of the association to the El Paso Paralegal Association (EPPA) due to recent trend toward the use of that term for those who have traditionally been referred to as legal assistants.
EPPA is an affiliate of the National Association of Legal Assistants and is a member of the Texas Alliance of Paralegal Associations. Through these affiliations, EPPA members receive many benefits including shared job bank information and networks with it fellow associations throughout Texas. EPPA seeks to keep its members informed on developments in the profession in Texas, the United States and other countries.
General Information
EPPA publishes an informative monthly newsletter, which is sent to each member.
EPPA serves as a resource for paralegal education programs in its area.
Through its various committees, seminars, and activities, EPPA also offers opportunities for professional growth
and community services.
In 2002, EPPA celebrated its 20th anniversary and continues to strive to attain the goals established in 1982.
EPPA is a non-profit organization.
Goals and Purpose
- To establish good fellowship among association members, NALA, and members of the legal community.
- To encourage a high order of ethical and professional attainment.
To continuously educate members of the profession.
To cooperate with the bar associations.
To support and carry out the programs, purposes, aims, and goals of the National Association of Legal assistants (NALA).
Meetings
Membership
Membership in EPPA is open to individuals working as legal assistants/paralegals, to students in legal assistant
programs, and to employers and educators who support the legal assistant profession. The categories of
membership are active, associate, student, and sustaining.
El Paso Bar Associate Membership
El Paso's Bar Association was the first local bar association in Texas to include paralegals as associate members. To qualify for membership, paralegals are required to be members in good standing of EPPA. As associate members, paralegals pay dues and are entitled to attend all of the monthly luncheon meetings and to serve on Bar Association committes. The Bar Association has the option of including paralegals in any other programs, banquets, or seminars. Regular monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the El Paso Club.
If you would like more information regarding membership or continuing education, please contact: epba@htg.net or view their website at www.elpasobar.com.
PROCLAMATION
Locally, in 1992, Governor Ann Richard and then El Paso Mayor, Bill Tilney proclaimed October 23rd as LEGAL ASSISTANT'S DAY. October 23, marks the creation of the Legal Assistants Division of the State Bar of Texas (LAD) in 1981. Since then, the Division has grown and undergone many changes, to include a name change in 2005 to the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas (PD). That same year, the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas and the Paralegal Division adopted a new definition of "Paralegal" and Paralegal Standards. Finally, in late 2008, by Senate Proclamation 1144, the Texas Senate honored Texas Paralegals for their valuable contributions to the practice of law, and recognized October 23, each year as Texas Paralegal Day.
Contact Information
El Paso Paralegal Association
P.O. Box 6
El Paso, Texas 79940
www.elppa.org