Mission Statement
To advance and promote the common business interests of persons engaged in the paralegal profession;- To foster and promote educational standards and practice guidelines for persons engaged in the paralegal profession;
- To monitor and define paralegal roles in the delivery of legal services and to educate the public and employers to these roles;
- To be proactive in regulation matters impacting upon the paralegal profession; and
- To develop and maintain mutually beneficial working relationships with other paralegal associations and with local, state and national bar associations.
HistoryThe Capital District Paralegal Association, Inc. (CDPA) was founded in 1993 as the Albany Legal Assistants Association. Its purpose is to promote communication among paralegals and to promote and improve their image as professionals with the legal community as well as the public. The Association was incorporated in 1996 as a not-for-profit corporation and in 2001 the Association changed its name to the Capital District Paralegal Association, Inc. CDPA is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) as well as the Empire State Alliance of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (ESAPA).
| LeadershipCDPA is governed by a Board of Directors which consists of the Officers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Past President, and Directors: Continuing Legal Education, Membership, ESAPA Delegates, Events, Sponsorship, Newsletter, NFPA Delegates, Pro Bono/Community Service, Student Affairs and Website, Social Media & Publicity. Please see our Contact page for more information.
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Code of Ethics
Code of Ethics
CDPA members are bound by the New York Lawyer’s Code of Professional Responsibility, the NFPA Code of Ethics, and any other code adopted by the Association. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Code of Professional Responsibility
- A paralegal shall demonstrate initiative in performing and expanding the paralegal role in the delivery of legal services.
- A paralegal shall maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct.
- A paralegal shall maintain a high level of competence and shall contribute to the integrity of the paralegal profession.
- A paralegal shall preserve client confidences and privileged communications.
- A paralegal shall serve the public interest by contributing to the availability and delivery of quality legal services.
- A paralegal shall aspire to perform pro bono legal services for the benefit of those with limited means who are denied access to the legal system.
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Membership
Membership is open to paralegals/legal assistants, paralegal students, attorneys and paralegal educators from the Capital District area of New York. CDPA does not exclude or discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicaps or sexual orientation. However, any person who is incarcerated at the time of application or who has been disbarred from the practice of law is not eligible for membership.
CDPA Member Benefits
- A CDPA membership includes membership in National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) and affiliation with the Empire State Alliance of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (ESAPA).
- ParaNews, CDPA’s electronic newsletter, which contains articles of local and national importance, announcements, and event information.
- Access to member-only resources, information and networking on the CDPA website.
- Continuing legal education (CLE) seminars featuring speakers on topics of interest to the paralegal profession.
- Pro bono and community service events.
- Special events and networking opportunities.
- Career development resources, such as Job Board and PACE/PCCE study materials.
NFPA Member Benefits
- Subscription to the quarterly magazine The National Paralegal Reporter.
- Access to member-only resources on the NFPA website, including networking, online discussions, materials and information.
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Opportunities to network with paralegals across the country.
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Member prices for various NFPA events.
- Discounts on publications and CLEs as well as preferred rates with certain retailers and websites.
- Access to exclusive scholarships and awards.
- Opportunities for involvement in the profession at the national level.
- For a full listing of benefits, please see the NFPA website and sign in as a member: www.paralegals.org.
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