HAWAII PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION

PURPOSE

The purpose of HPA is:

• To maintain high standards of performance in the paralegal profession;
• To inform members of developments in the paralegal profession;
• To encourage and provide continuing education for paralegals;
• To promote awareness and educate the community regarding the effective use of paralegals; and
• To foster communication, education and understanding among members of the legal profession and the community.

HISTORY

The Hawaii Paralegal Association ("HPA") is a non-profit Hawaii corporation that was formed in 1978 to meet the need for a professional association for paralegals. It continues to be the only such association in Hawaii. HPA is an active participant in the legal community and sponsors regular activities, individually and in conjunction with the State Bar Association and the Hawaii Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Interested readers may consult this article for details about HPA’s origins.

STRUCTURE

HPA is managed by a Board of Directors, comprised of officers and committee directors who are elected annually by the voting membership. The Directors include Committee Directors who are the liaison between the Board and their respective committees.

Membership processes applications and renewals, maintains a membership list and recruits new members.

Job Bank serves as a liaison between prospective employers and HPA members, tracks and maintains market trends affecting the profession.

Professional Development arranges educational seminars and general membership meetings and facilitates practice groups.

Standards researches and proposes standards and guidelines for HPA and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding affairs concerning the association.

Newsletter publishes the organization's newsletter four times a year. The Hawaii Paralegal Reporter is distributed to HPA members and contains news of HPA activities, trends in the paralegal profession and educational resource material.

Public Relations/Pro Bono is responsible for disseminating promotional material designed to attract public interest or recognition for HPA, assists as liaison with the media and is responsible for promoting member participation in pro bono and fund raising projects.

The NFPA Committee assists the primary and secondary representatives in disseminating NFPA news to HPA members and working on projects of the National Federal of Paralegal Associations, Inc.

Ad hoc committees are created when necessary to deal with specific issues or needs within HPA and the community.

Membership in HPA is divided into four categories:

Voting Membership is open to any person who is employed as a paralegal, as well as any person currently employed as a non-attorney supervisor of paralegals who was previously employed as a paralegal.

Associate Membership, non-voting, is open to any person: a) who is presently employed as a paralegal outside the State of Hawaii; b) who was formerly employed as a paralegal; c) who is employed in the legal profession in another position other than that of a paralegal.

Student Membership, non-voting, is open to anyone who is enrolled in a formal paralegal program within or outside the State of Hawaii and is not employed as a paralegal. Proof of student status required.

Sustaining Membership, non-voting, is open to any person, partnership, corporation, association, or entity interested in supporting the purposes and activities of HPA.

Organizer Denise Ritchey, with Becki Krupiak (left) and Nohea Nakaahiki (right), at Hawaii Paralegal Association’s Twentieth Anniversary Celebration in October 1998. Photo by Barbara Ritchie

 

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