Massachusetts Paralegal Associations and Information

Statewide Paralegal Associations

Massachusetts Paralegal Association (MPA)

Description: The Massachusetts Paralegal Association (MPA), established in 1975, is the oldest and largest professional organization for paralegals in Massachusetts. The association is dedicated to the development and improvement of the paralegal profession.

Contact:
Massachusetts Paralegal Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 1381
Marblehead, MA 01945
Email: massachusetts@paralegals.org
Website: http://www.massparalegal.org/

Membership Director- Patricia O’Halloran
Murtha Cullina LLP
99 High Street
Boston, MA 02110-2320
Email: pohalloran@murthalaw.com

Continuing Education- Shawna Hansen
Vantage Travel Service, Inc.
90 Canal Street
Boston, MA 02114
Email: rsvpmpa@gmail.com

Local Paralegal Associations

Western Massachusetts Paralegal Association (WMPA)

Description: The Western Massachusetts Paralegal Association, Inc. (WMPA) is a voluntary, nonprofit association that formed in 1988 to promote the professional development and continuing education of paralegals in the Western Massachusetts area.

The goals of WMPA are: 1) to promote high professional and ethical standards in the education, training and employment of paralegals; 2) to serve as a source of educational information for members, the legal community and the general public; and 3) to provide opportunities for the mutual association of paralegals and paralegal students to promote the general professional interests of paralegals.

Contact:
Western Massachusetts Paralegal Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 30005
Springfield, MA 01103
Website: http://www.wmassparalegal.org/news.php

Central Massachusetts Paralegal Association (CMPA)

Description: The Central Massachusetts Paralegal Association, Inc. (CMPA) is a voluntary, not for profit, tax exempt association, formed in March of 1988 and incorporated in February of 1989. The CMPA is a professional organization, established to contribute to the growth and advancement of the paralegal profession in Central Massachusetts.

The CMPA strives to: 1) Foster active communication among paralegals and to act as a forum for the interchange of ideas; 2) Promote and expand the utilization of paralegals; 3) Promote the educational and professional standards of the paralegal profession by conducting educational activities in the form of seminars, lectures and workshops, which will be open to the professional and public communities; 4) Encourage and promote continuing legal education for paralegals; and 5) Strengthen relations between paralegals and rest of the legal community.

Contact:
Central Massachusetts Paralegal Association
P.O. Box 444
Worcester, MA 01614
Website: http://www.tmgfx.com/cmpa/index.html

President: Susan P. Mitchell
Telephone: (508) 791-8500, x420
Fax: (508) 983-6280 [direct]
Email: spmitchell@modl.com

Paralegal Schools and CLE

Bay Path College

Description: Bay Path College’s ABA approved programs have over 600 graduates and a current enrollment of over 200. Students may choose to attend days, evenings, or weekends. Graduates of all programs receive the Certificate of Advanced Paralegal Studies. Minors include Psychology, Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, or Interdisciplinary courses of the student’s choice. The college offers new electives, including Forensic Law, Trademarks & Patents, and Elder Law. Faculty includes local attorneys and judges who invite students to their courtrooms to discuss the trial process. Graduates are well-positioned to obtain employment in a variety of law-related settings or continue in law/graduate school.

Type of Institution: Private, 2 yr, 4 yr, ABA Approved.

Degrees Offered & Conditions: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Associate in Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate.
Minimum length of time to complete program: 1 year (Students with 60 or more college credits can apply for entrance into the Certificate of Advanced Paralegal Studies Program).
Internships: Mandatory for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Associate in Science; recommended for Certificate.

Contact:
Interim Department Chair: John Woodruff, J.D.
Legal Studies
588 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Telephone: 413.565.1000 (Ext. 238)
Fax: 413.565.1131
Email: jwoodruff@baypath.edu
Website:
www.baypath.edu/UndergraduateExperience/Academics/Departments/LegalStudies.aspx

Elms College

Description: ABA approved since 1987, program options include bachelor degrees in paralegal, legal studies, or social services paralegal; an associate’s degree in paralegal; and post-degree certificates in paralegal and legal nurse consulting. A core legal curriculum provides an in-depth legal foundation. Various electives and concentrations, including juvenile, criminal justice, and sport and entertainment law, emphasize practical learning experiences through internships, service learning, and mock trials. Students have access to the latest in computerized legal research and technology. Web-enhanced courses give students 24-hour access to materials.

Type of Institution: Private, 4 yr, ABA Approved.

Degrees Offered & Conditions: Bachelor of Arts, Associate in Arts, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate.
Minimum length of time to complete program: two semesters for students in full-time certificate program
Internships: Mandatory for BA degrees

Contact:
Director: Katherine A. Currier
Paralegal and Legal Studies Program
291 Springfield Street
Chicopee, MA 01013
Telephone: 413.594.7787
Fax: 413.594.8173
Email: currierk@elms.edu
Website: www.elms.edu/academics/undergraduate/bl_Paralegal.htm

Northern Essex Community College

Description: The Associate Degree program is split into two options: Transfer option and Career option. The Career option is designed for students who plan to seek employment after receiving their associate degree and do not plan to further their education. This option focuses on the practical aspects of the profession and offers more flexibility with electives. The transfer option is designed for students who wish to transfer to another institution to earn a bachelor’s degree. This option is designed to maximize the transferability of credits to a four-year institution. The Certificate program is considered a post-graduate degree program.

Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr, ABA Approved.

Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate in Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: 4 semesters of 5 courses each for AS: 4 semesters of 5 courses each; Certificate: 2 semesters, 9 courses.
Internships: Elective

Contact:
Director: Judith Pollock-Ciampi
Paralegal Studies Program
45 Franklin Street
L216
Elliott Way
Lawrence, MA 01841
Telephone: 978.738.7409
Fax: 978.738.7450
Email: jciampi@necc.mass.edu
Website: www.necc.mass.edu/programs/program.php?c=legalpara

North Shore Community College

Description: North Shore Community College offers certificate program to students with an associate degree from another field. The mission of the Paralegal Department is to provide high quality, affordable paralegal education that fosters personal and professional achievement.

The Program Objectives are: 1) to enable students to think critically, reason abstractly, use oral and written language effectively; 2) to provide students with the knowledge of legal theory, practice, and ethics; 3) to help students develop the organizational and interpersonal skills necessary to work as part of a legal team; 4) To foster computer literacy; and 5) to offer transfer potential to four-year baccalaureate programs.

Type of Institution: Public, ABA Approved.

Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate.
Internships: Mandatory for Associate degree, Elective for certificate.

Contact:
Director: Kathleen A. Hirbour
Paralegal Program
One Ferncroft Road
P.O. Box 3340
Danvers, MA 01923-0840
Telephone: 978.762.4000, ext. 5537
Fax: 978.762.4068
Email: khirbour@northshore.edu,
Website: www.northshore.edu/departments

Suffolk University

Description: Located next to Government Center in downtown Boston, Paralegal Studies at Suffolk University offers an Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree and a Certificate in Paralegal Studies. In this ABA approved program, courses are intended as a legal employment credential and prepare students to work in a law office, corporate office, government agency or other offices working with the law. Paralegal classes and the required general education courses for the degree options are available both during the day and in the evening, which makes it easy for students to combine work and school.

Type of Institution: Private, ABA Approved.

Degrees Offered & Conditions: Associate in Science, Baccalaureate Degree, Post-baccalaureate Certificate Program
Minimum length of time to complete program: 9 months for certificate (when beginning in fall semester)
Internship: Mandatory for degree programs; Elective for certificate program

Contact:
Director: Mary Flaherty
Paralegal Studies Program
College of Arts & Sciences
Education and Human Services Department
8 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Telephone: 617.305.1958
Fax: 617.305.1743
Email: mflahert@suffolk.edu
Website: www.suffolk.edu/cas/ehs/undergrad_paralegal.html

Massachusetts Paralegal Blog

http://paralegals.uslegalblogs.com/category/states/massachusetts/