ADMISSION, MEMBERSHIP & TERMINATION

1. Admission. In order for a person to become an active member of the KPA, that individual must meet one of the following criteria in Paragraph (i) – (vii):

(i) A bachelor’s or associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies from an ABA approved paralegal program or a paralegal studies program that is not ABA approved but meets the substantive legal studies requirements pursuant to the ABA guidelines; or

(ii) A bachelor's degree in any field which includes 24 completed hours in substantive paralegal studies.

(iii) A bachelor's degree in any field plus 24 completed credit hours in substantive paralegal studies or 1 year work experience as a paralegal performing substantive legal tasks under the supervision and direction of a licensed attorney. Said experience must be attested to by the paralegal’s supervising attorney and verified by the membership committee; or

(iv) An associate’s degree in any field plus 24 completed credit hours in substantive Paralegal Studies or an associate’s degree and 1 year work experience as a paralegal performing substantive legal tasks under the supervision and direction of a licensed attorney. Said experience must be attested to by the paralegal’s supervising attorney and verified by the membership committee; or

(v) A certificate from an ABA approved paralegal program or a paralegal studies program that is not ABA approved but meets the substantive legal studies requirements pursuant to the ABA guidelines; or

(vi) A certificate or degree in substantive paralegal studies requiring a minimum of 24 credit hours for completion and 1 year work experience as a full-time paralegal performing substantive legal tasks under the supervision and direction of a licensed attorney. Said experience must be attested to by the paralegal’s supervising attorney and verified by the membership committee; or

(vii) As of the date of application, a minimum of 5 years work experience as a paralegal performing substantive legal tasks under the supervision and direction of a licensed attorney. Said experience must be attested to by the paralegal’s supervising attorney and verified by the membership committee.

Substantive legal tasks are duties, tasks or functions that require legal training, and which would otherwise normally be performed by an attorney.

Attorneys not eligible to practice law in any state, whether by suspension or disbarment, are not eligible for membership in this Association.
Application for membership shall be submitted to the Membership Committee, or to any KPA Board member, who will then in turn promptly deliver the application to a member of the Membership Committee. Once the Membership Committee has determined that such application meets the necessary requirements, the application shall be approved subject to the payment of dues. Any willful misstatement in the application shall be grounds for rejection of the application or for expulsion of the member if he/she has been elected to membership. The Board shall review any questionable membership applications.

Denial of Admission. Any individual who is denied membership to the KPA may appeal such decision directly to the Board. It shall be the responsibility of that individual (the “appellant”) to request an appeal in writing. The letter shall be addressed to the President with a carbon copy being sent to the Membership Committee.

The appellant shall state his/her case in support of their application at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. A representative of the Membership Committee shall be present to explain the basis of the Committee’s denial for membership. The appellant and membership representative shall each be limited to five minutes.

At the end of the presentation, the Board shall vote to decide the issue of membership for that particular applicant. It shall also be within the Board’s authority to defer a vote on an individual’s application pending further inquiry into his/her qualifications.

2. Membership.

(a) Active Members. Any paralegal who meets one of the criteria outlined in Paragraph (i) – (vii) membership requirements of the KPA and upon acceptance of his/her application for membership and payment of dues shall become an Active Member of the KPA. Said member shall be entitled to one vote on all matters, and shall be eligible to serve as an officer or director of the KPA.

(b) Associate Members. Any person who formerly has been employed as a paralegal, any person who is employed as a paralegal but who does not live or work in the State of Kentucky, or any persons who have graduated with a certificate or degree in paralegal studies program requiring a minimum of 24 credit hours for completion and are currently obtaining their one year of experience as a full-time paralegal shall upon acceptance of the application for membership and payment of dues shall become an Associate Member of the KPA. Said members shall not be entitled to vote nor be eligible to serve as an officer or director of the KPA.

(c) Student Members. Any student enrolled in a paralegal training program that would allow them to meet the qualifications for active membership upon acceptance of an application for membership and payment of dues shall become a Student Member of the KPA. Student members shall not be permitted voting privileges nor be eligible to serve as an officer or director of the KPA.

(d) Sustaining Members. Any law firm, corporation, ABA-approved educational institution or Bar Association who shares the goals and purposes of the KPA according to Article II of the Bylaws and payment of dues shall become a Sustaining Member of the KPA upon approval of the Board. Sustaining Members shall not be entitled to vote but shall be kept apprised of the KPA by receiving the newsletter.

(e) Recordation of Membership. The Membership Chairperson of the KPA shall keep a record of the name and address of each member. The record shall also include date of admission, type of membership, date dues were paid and, if necessary, reason for termination.

3. Termination. Termination may occur due to:

(a) Failure to pay dues within thirty (30) days of the due date;.

(b) Written resignation to the Membership Chairperson by any member; and/or

(c) The Executive Committee shall have the authority to remove any paralegal who fails to comply with the ethical standards adopted by the KPA.

Terminated members may be reinstated by a simple majority vote of the Membership Committee upon approval of a new application detailing the reason(s) of such termination and payment of all delinquent dues, if any.