Mission Statement
The Heartland Paralegal Association ("HPA") is a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to the advancement of the paralegal profession by promoting the benefits of effective and increased utilization of paralegals within the legal community.
Its membership is comprised of paralegals, paralegal educators and students, institutions, and vendors who support the organization's goals and purposes.
HPA promotes high ethical standards for its membership and supports a voluntary national certification to identify paralegals who have demonstrated a high degree of competency in the profession, as well as providing continuing legal education for its members.
HPA is dedicated to providing a network of professional support to paralegals throughout the legal community.
Objectives and Purpose
1. To establish good fellowship among association members, the National Association of Legal Assistants & Paralegals ("NALA"), and members of the legal community.
2. To encourage a high standard of ethical conduct and professional achievement.
3. To sponsor continuing legal education opportunities.
4. To provide a forum for networking and sharing ideas, experiences, and expertise.
5. To promote the profession by educating the legal community and the public about the skills and functions of paralegals.
6. To cooperate with local, state, and American Bar Associations.
7. To support and carry out the program, purposes, aims, and goals of NALA.
Its membership is comprised of paralegals, paralegal educators and students, institutions, and vendors who support the organization's goals and purposes.
HPA promotes high ethical standards for its membership and supports a voluntary national certification to identify paralegals who have demonstrated a high degree of competency in the profession, as well as providing continuing legal education for its members.
HPA is dedicated to providing a network of professional support to paralegals throughout the legal community.
Objectives and Purpose
1. To establish good fellowship among association members, the National Association of Legal Assistants & Paralegals ("NALA"), and members of the legal community.
2. To encourage a high standard of ethical conduct and professional achievement.
3. To sponsor continuing legal education opportunities.
4. To provide a forum for networking and sharing ideas, experiences, and expertise.
5. To promote the profession by educating the legal community and the public about the skills and functions of paralegals.
6. To cooperate with local, state, and American Bar Associations.
7. To support and carry out the program, purposes, aims, and goals of NALA.
Our History
The Heartland Association of Legal Assistants began in 2001.
The charter members previously belonged to an organization based outside the Kansas City Metro area before forming HALA. To attend regular luncheon meetings required taking a vacation day from work, and board meetings were held by teleconference. Members felt disjointed and, therefore, attendance was extremely low.
Seven ambitious paralegals decided it was time to break out and form a totally new organization geared toward the paralegals in and close to the metro Kansas City area (Kansas and Missouri). The process began in January 2001. Little did we know what all was ahead.
By-laws needed drafting, as did standing rules; decisions needed to be made on membership structure and dues. What would the organization be called? How would we be recognized?
The name was selected from a group of suggested possibilities, a logo was designed and officers were elected.
Being affiliated with a national organization was important. Since some charter members were Certified Legal Assistants (designated by the initials "CLA") (now known as Certified Paralegals, designated by the initials "CP"), the natural choice was the National Association of Legal Assistants & Paralegals ("NALA"). The newly formed organization applied for affiliate status and received it in March 2001.
Then the work began. Incorporation was a must and applying for our tax exempt status began. Getting information out by fax and our newsletter to as many people as possible was a huge task culminating in a “Welcome” Reception in June held at Shook, Hardy, and Bacon located in Corporate Woods.
Our first “official” meeting was set for September 11, 2001. Needless to say, our meeting was postponed.
Since our first CLE meeting of October 2001, we have had many great speakers on a number of topics and have grown into the great organization we are today! Part of our most recent growth is a result of staying informed with professional trends. One such trend is the recognition that the legal assisting profession has evolved over the past 40 or so years into more of a distinction between the terms "legal assistant" and "paralegal." The two terms were once used interchangeably just as the terms "lawyer" and "attorney." However, in recent years the preference for "paralegal" continues to gain strength.
At our April 2010 general membership meeting a vote was taken and the tally was clear - the membership prefers to be referred to as "paralegals" and changed our organization's name to Heartland Paralegal Association.
Heartland Association of Legal Assistants (HALA) will always hold a special place in our hearts! However, with growth comes change and now we look forward to many years of more growth as we adapt to an evolving profession and as essential members of the legal professional team.
Our Members Are Crucial To Our Survival
From the very beginning, the charter members decided that this organization would be “member” driven. By that we meant that the board would be a means by which the members could receive the programs and benefits they felt were essential. The president would be a facilitator. And the Executive Board would be the machine putting things in motion that would be interesting to the members.
The Executive Board welcomes suggestions from the members and encourages all to participate by running for office, helping on a committee, or just making suggestions.
Make HPA your professional organization of choice!
The charter members previously belonged to an organization based outside the Kansas City Metro area before forming HALA. To attend regular luncheon meetings required taking a vacation day from work, and board meetings were held by teleconference. Members felt disjointed and, therefore, attendance was extremely low.
Seven ambitious paralegals decided it was time to break out and form a totally new organization geared toward the paralegals in and close to the metro Kansas City area (Kansas and Missouri). The process began in January 2001. Little did we know what all was ahead.
By-laws needed drafting, as did standing rules; decisions needed to be made on membership structure and dues. What would the organization be called? How would we be recognized?
The name was selected from a group of suggested possibilities, a logo was designed and officers were elected.
Being affiliated with a national organization was important. Since some charter members were Certified Legal Assistants (designated by the initials "CLA") (now known as Certified Paralegals, designated by the initials "CP"), the natural choice was the National Association of Legal Assistants & Paralegals ("NALA"). The newly formed organization applied for affiliate status and received it in March 2001.
Then the work began. Incorporation was a must and applying for our tax exempt status began. Getting information out by fax and our newsletter to as many people as possible was a huge task culminating in a “Welcome” Reception in June held at Shook, Hardy, and Bacon located in Corporate Woods.
Our first “official” meeting was set for September 11, 2001. Needless to say, our meeting was postponed.
Since our first CLE meeting of October 2001, we have had many great speakers on a number of topics and have grown into the great organization we are today! Part of our most recent growth is a result of staying informed with professional trends. One such trend is the recognition that the legal assisting profession has evolved over the past 40 or so years into more of a distinction between the terms "legal assistant" and "paralegal." The two terms were once used interchangeably just as the terms "lawyer" and "attorney." However, in recent years the preference for "paralegal" continues to gain strength.
At our April 2010 general membership meeting a vote was taken and the tally was clear - the membership prefers to be referred to as "paralegals" and changed our organization's name to Heartland Paralegal Association.
Heartland Association of Legal Assistants (HALA) will always hold a special place in our hearts! However, with growth comes change and now we look forward to many years of more growth as we adapt to an evolving profession and as essential members of the legal professional team.
Our Members Are Crucial To Our Survival
From the very beginning, the charter members decided that this organization would be “member” driven. By that we meant that the board would be a means by which the members could receive the programs and benefits they felt were essential. The president would be a facilitator. And the Executive Board would be the machine putting things in motion that would be interesting to the members.
The Executive Board welcomes suggestions from the members and encourages all to participate by running for office, helping on a committee, or just making suggestions.
Make HPA your professional organization of choice!
Meeting Format
HPA meetings are governed by Robert's Rules of Order.
(c) 2011 - 2013, Heartland Paralegal Association. All Rights Reserved.
Heartland Paralegal Association
PO Box 12413, Overland Park, Kansas 66282-2413
Heartland Paralegal Association
PO Box 12413, Overland Park, Kansas 66282-2413
