INTERNATIONAL PARALEGAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (IPMA)
POSITION PAPER ON PARALEGAL EDUCATION
As the paralegal profession has evolved, employers, educators, and paralegals1 continue to
debate the subject of educational criteria. Although there is no consensus on the minimum
education required in order to become a paralegal, this subject is a critical one that will always
have a profound effect on the future of the profession.
The IPMA brings an important and unique perspective to the debate. Paralegal managers are
responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, coaching, and evaluating the performance of
paralegals in law firms, corporate law departments, and governmental, judicial, and legal
agencies for which they work. No other group involved in the paralegal profession has more
experience in understanding the consequences of hiring decisions based on educational
requirements.
In this paper, the IPMA will address its position on minimum educational standards, paralegal
education as a hiring criterion, and the value of paralegal education (principally in the United
States). The IPMA will also comment on new media education, in-house training, and
continuing education. [See full text at
Source: International Paralegal Management Association Positions Paper on Paralegal Education (modified 12/8/09)
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