WHAT IS MMPA? The Mid-Missouri Paralegal Association serves members from throughout the mid-Missouri area. Membership is limited to those paralegals who meet specific criteria, including education and experience. Student memberships are available for college students pursuing a degree in paralegal studies. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month, and often feature guest speakers. The locations rotate between various cities in the mid-Missouri area, including Columbia, Jefferson City, and Mexico. The MMPA offers you an invaluable opportunity to network, while also allowing you to increase your professional knowledge. Even if you can't attend all the meetings - you can benefit from the networking and subscription to The Gavel.
Questions and Answers:
What is the difference between a paralegal and a legal assistant?
There is no difference - the terms are used interchangeably.
I work for a law firm. Am I a paralegal?
Simply working for a law firm does not make you a paralegal. Paralegals are skilled professionals, who have education or experience that meets certain criteria. The American Bar Association has the following definition: "A legal assistant or paralegal is a person qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which an attorney is responsible." [emphasis added.]
What kinds of things do paralegals do?
Paralegals do all sorts of things - conduct client interviews and maintain contact with the client (as long as the client understands that the paralegal is not an attorney, and is working under the supervision of the attorney), research, interview witnesses, draft correspondence and documents, attend document signings, etc. The most important distinction is what paralegals do NOT do - they do not give legal advice. Only an attorney can dispense legal advice.
Upcoming Events, to cover topics such as a presentation on Drug Court, juvenile law, medical malpractice, HIPAA, trusts/estates, and real estate. Mark these dates on your calendar now:
September 16, 2008
October 21, 2008
For more information, email MMPA at robinettll@umsystem.edu
To meet and share information with other paralegals, please visit our forum at www.MMPAforum.midmoparalegal.com
