Questions & Answers
Specific questions? Ask PACO@pacoparalegals.org.
Q: What is the difference between a paralegal
and a legal assistant?
A: It would seem that to most the terms are interchangeable,
however the Ohio Supreme Court has articulated that a person is
a paralegal based on his or her education while a legal assistant
is based on experience. See Columbus Bar Assoc. v. Flanagan
(1997), 77 Ohio St.3d 381.
Q: I’ve seen some paralegals with initials
RP or CLA after their name. What do they stand for?
A: Registered Paralegal and Certified Legal Assistant.
Individuals with these credentials after their names have taken
and passed specific examinations and been awarded the credential
by a national paralegal organization (the National Federation of
Paralegal Associations and the National Association of Legal Assistants,
respectively).
Q: Is it difficult to become a member of PACO?
A: No. If you are a paralegal student or a paralegal
graduate, whether working in the paralegal field or not, simply
complete the application. If you are a student, you may have your
instructor sponsor you. If you are a paralegal graduate and do not
know a Columbus Bar Association member attorney, simply enclose
your check for the fee and forward to the Columbus Bar. The Columbus
Bar Liaison can sponsor you for membership.
Q: Everyone keeps asking members to become more
involved. Isn't it just a select group of people that get picked
for the Board and committees?
A: No. What you are seeing are those that are willing
to step up to the plate and serve our association. Come forward
and get involved, it's that easy.
Q: What is PACE?
A: PACE stands for the Paralegal Advanced Competency
Examination. It is a four hour, computer-generated test and is offered
by the NFPA at more than 200 Sylvan Technology Centers across the
U.S. In order to be eligible to take the PACE, you must have:
- An associates degree in paralegal studies obtained from an institutionally
accredited and/or ABA approved paralegal education program; and
six (6) years substantive paralegal experience; OR
- A bachelor's degree in any course of study obtained from an
institutionally accredited school and three (3) years of substantive
paralegal experience; OR
- A bachelor's degree and completion of a paralegal program with
an institutionally accredited school, said paralegal program may
be embodied in a bachelor's degree; and two (2) years substantive
paralegal experience; OR
- Four (4) years substantive paralegal experience on or before
December 31, 2000.
For more information about the PACE you may check the National
Federation of Paralegal Association’s website at www.paralegals.org.
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