History & purpose

The Orange County Paralegal Association (OCPA), was formed in 1977 in response to a growing need for an organized professional association for paralegals. Originally formed as a section of the Orange County Bar Association, OCPA became an independent, voluntary, non-profit corporation in 1986 for paralegals interested in furthering their professional development.

In 1995 OCPA joined NALA (The Paralegal Association ("NALA") as an affiliated association. NALA promotes the ethical practices of the paralegal profession and administers the national Certified Paralegal (CP) program. NALA's CP program is recognized by the American Bar Association and is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.