Arizona Paralegal Associations and Information
Statewide Paralegal Associations
Arizona Paralegal Association (APA)
Description: The Arizona Paralegal Association (APA) was formed in 1977 and is a nonprofit professional corporation for legal assistants. The APA became an affiliate association of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. in 1988. The members are legal assistants employed by Phoenix area law firms, freelance legal assistants, paralegals employed in corporations or government agencies, students enrolled in paralegal training programs and other persons interested in supporting the APA and paralegal profession.
The APA was organized to elevate and maintain high professional standards and ethics of the legal profession; provide and promote continuing legal education to legal assistants; maintain open communications and working relationships between APA and its members and representatives of local and state bar associations; and further the interests of legal assistants by gathering, receiving, studying and disseminating information concerning legal assistants.
Contact:
Arizona Paralegal Association
P.O. Box 392
Phoenix, Arizona 85001
Website: www.azparalegal.org
Arizona Association of Independent Paralegals (AAIP)
Description: AAIP is the largest voluntary professional association of Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparation Professionals. The AAIP provides, continuing education, information about Certified Legal Document Preparers in Arizona (CLDPs), programs to assist CLDPs, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public.
Contact:
Arizona Association of Independent Paralegals (AAIP)
President, Allen D. Merrill
6750 E. Main St.,Ste 109
Mesa, AZ 85205
Telephone: (480) 832-9092
Fax: (480) 396-6853
Website: www.azaip.com
Local Paralegal Associations
Legal Assistants of Metropolitan Phoenix (LAMP)
Description: LAMP represents professional paralegals employed for over six months, graduates or students of legal assistant training programs, and attorneys. The association Cooperates with local, state, and national bar associations in setting standards and guidelines for legal assistants. It promotes the profession and attempts to broaden public understanding of the function of the legal assistants. It also, offers continuing education for legal assistants both nationwide and statewide and professional certification on a national basis to members and nonmembers who meet certain criteria. LAMP’s primary purpose is to provide high quality continuing legal education (CLE) at a minimal cost to its members, students, and others in the legal community. LAMP is affiliated to National Association of Legal Assistants.
Contact:
Legal Assistants of Metropolitan Phoenix (LAMP)
P.O. Box 13005
Phoenix, AZ 85002
Website: http://www.geocities.com/azlamp/
Tucson Association of Legal Assistants
Description: Tucson Association of Legal Assistants is affiliated to National Association of Legal Assistants. TPA is a professional association of paralegals whose primary goals include subscription to the Code of Professional Responsibility for Legal Assistants as set forth by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA). TPA aspires to provide continuing legal education and to support and carry out the programs, aims, and goals of NALA. The purposes of TPA include: Establishing good fellowship among members, NALA, and members of the legal community; Encouraging a high order of ethical and professional attainment; Furthering education among members of the profession; and Cooperation with the Pima County, Arizona, and American Bar Associations.
Contact:
President
Valarie Hall
Lewis & Roca LLP Lawyers
One South Church Avenue, Suite 700
Tucson, AZ 85701
Telephone: 520/ 838-7725
Fax: 520/ 879-4723
Email: president@tucsonparalegals.org
Website: http://www.tucsonparalegals.org/
Maricopa County Bar Association: Paralegal Division (MCBA)
The Maricopa County Bar Association (MCBA) is the largest voluntary bar association in Arizona. Through its continuing legal education (CLE) programs, social events, and charitable activities, MCBA provides a venue for professional growth, networking and public service to the county’s diverse legal community. Maricopa County Bar Association- Paralegal Division is one of the most active units within the MCBA.
Contact:
Website: http://www.maricopabar.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=12
Paralegal Schools and CLE
Everest College
Description: The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Legal Assisting prepares students to research legal issues, draft legal documents, prepare pleadings, summarize documents, organize trial notebooks, and interview clients. The program provides students with both a practical and theoretical education in the legal profession. Under the supervision of an attorney, graduates will be able to use their skills in law and legal procedures in the areas of interviewing, gathering, reviewing and analyzing facts, research law, and preparing and interpreting legal documents. Westlaw computerized legal research and special Discovery software training is also included. The program is ABA approved.
Type of Institution: Private, Proprietary, 2 yr, ABA approved
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate in Applied Science
Minimum length of time to complete program: 24 months
Internships: Elective
Contact:
Everest College
Legal Assistant Education Program
10400 N. 25th Ave., Suite 190
Phoenix, AZ 85021
Telephone: 602.942.4141
Fax: 602.943.0960
Website: www.everest-college.com
Lamson College
Description: To prepare graduates for this career, a legal assistant education at Lamson College includes specific legal skills, computer proficiency and an excellent general education. Students are encouraged to join local and state paralegal organizations, and an active paralegal club promotes professional events, guest speakers, and networking opportunities. A full-time Director of Placement works with employers regarding internships and job opportunities for the students. In addition, the program prepares graduates for success on the Certified Legal Assistant examination.
Type of Institution: Proprietary, 2 yr, ABA approved
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate of Applied Science
Minimum length of time to complete program: 15 months
Internships: Elective
Contact:
Lamson College
Legal Assisting Program
875 W. Elliot Road; Ste. 206
Tempe, AZ 85284
Telephone: 602.893.4912
Fax: 480.893.4978
Website: www.lamsoncollege.com
Phoenix College
Description: Phoenix College is a member of the Maricopa Community Colleges. The Paralegal Program at Phoenix College has been educating students in the legal assisting field since 1973. Both day and night time courses in a classroom setting taught by experienced attorneys and legal assistants from the community is offered. The Paralegal Program places particular emphasis on core skills needed by entry-level paralegals such as legal writing, legal procedures, torts, legal research, and computerized law office applications. Program includes a rich variety of electives, including Criminal Procedure, Bankruptcy, Administrative Law, Family Law, Probate, and Real Estate.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA approved
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate in Applied Science, Certificate of completion for students with a college degree from an accredited institution
Minimum length of time to complete program: 3 semesters for Certificate; 4-5 semesters for AAS, depending on course selection
Internships: Elective
Contact:
Phoenix College
Paralegal Studies Program
Department of Legal Studies
640 N 1st Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85003-1515
Telephone: 602.285.7110
Fax: 602.223.4040
Website: www.phoenixcollege.edu/legalstudies
Pima Community College
Description: The program offered by the college is ABA approved. Certificate program requires bachelors or associate degree for admission.
Type of Institution: Public, ABA approved
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate in Applied Science Certificate
Internships: Elective
Contact:
Pima Community College
Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program
Downtown Campus
1255 North Stone Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85709-3030
Telephone: 520.206.7352
Fax: 520.206.7202
Website: http://www.pima.edu/program/paralegal/
Yavapai College
Description: The Paralegal Studies programs at Yavapai College are learner-centered, and emphasize critical thinking, writing, technological and legal skills development. Most classes are in the traditional classroom, but Yavapai College offers some online courses. The programs include a special topic course, wherein the subject changes each semester. This allows the programs to offer courses in new and developing legal specialty areas. The courses are taught mostly by attorneys, but several of the courses are taught by attorney-paralegal teams. The teaching methodology is interactive and outcomes driven. The AAA and post-degree certificate programs require a mandatory internship, and the legal nurse program requires an associate degree, an RN license and 2000 hours of experience. The programs offered are ABA approved.
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA approved
Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate in Applied Science Arts; Post-degree Certificate; Legal Nurse Certificate
Internships: Mandatory
Contact:
Yavapai College
Paralegal Studies Program
1100 East Sheldon Street
Prescott, AZ 86301-3297
Telephone: 928.776.2163
Fax: 928.776.2160
Website: www.yc.edu
