join ocpa

The purpose of OCPA is to:

Increase the paralegal's knowledge and expertise by promoting and encouraging formal education, training, experience and continuing education
Provide a local voice for paralegals
Monitor developments in the paralegal profession
Encourage and promote the role of paralegals as a vital part of the legal team in furnishing more efficient legal service
Provide a network of support, communication and education for its members
Seek a more cohesive and active relationship between paralegals and attorneys as members of the legal profession

OCPA membership runs on Anniversary-Based membership. That means 12 months from the date of joining and payment (e.g., June 2022-June 2023).

Effective January 1, 2016, OCPA no longer accepts checks or cash as a form of payment for membership or event registration. Please log in to your OCPA account to submit electronic payment via credit card, debit card or PayPal.

As part of your membership will be required to accept OCPA's Photo/Image Release. Click HERE for more information.

Please note that membership is not open to Legal Document Assistants. Legal Documents Assistants, please visit CALDA.

ALL MEMBERS HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

IF EMPLOYED AS A PARALEGAL, I WORK UNDER THE DIRECTION AND SUPERVISION OF A CALIFORNIA LICENSED ATTORNEY
I DO NOT OFFER LEGAL SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC, WHICH IS IN VIOLATION OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE 6125 AND 6126(a)
I UNDERSTAND THAT OCPA IS AN ASSOCIATION OF PARALEGALS, WHICH DOES NOT RECOGNIZE LEGAL TECHNICIANS, FORM PREPARERS, LEGAL DOCUMENT PREPARERS OR COMMUNITY ADVOCATES AS MEMBERS OF THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION
I UNDERSTAND THAT OCPA IS AFFILIATED WITH NALA AND AS SUCH I AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE NALA CODE WHICH CAN BE ACCESSED HERE

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Select membership level

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* Membership level

Voting Membership - $90.00 (USD) Subscription period: 1 year No automatically recurring payments A VOTING MEMBER is a paralegal who meets the definition of California Business & Professions Code Section 6450 et seq. and Article III, Section 3 of the Association's bylaws, who resides or is employed in California, and who has worked as a paralegal for at least the six months previous to the date on his/her membership application. Only Voting Members shall be "Members" as defined in Section 5056 of the California Corporations Code. Voting Members have the right to vote on all matters brought before the membership of OCPA, and have the right to hold office within the Association.

As a VOTING MEMBER, I certify that I have read the definition of a Paralegal or Freelance Paralegal as defined by OCPA on this web site and that my job description is included within either definition. **Annual Membership Term is the 12 months following the member's join/payment date**

Associate Membership - $90.00 (USD) Subscription period: 1 year No automatically recurring payments An ASSOCIATE MEMBER is (1) a paralegal who has not performed paralegal duties within the previous six months, (2) an attorney, or (3) other legal professional who does not meet the qualifications of Voting Membership, but who is interested in and supports the mission, goals and purposes of OCPA and the paralegal profession. An Associate Member does not have voting privileges and may not hold office within the Association. An Associate Member is entitled to serve on any Association Committee and is entitled to all other benefits of the Association. The board of directors reserves the right to deny Associate membership to any individual it deems to be in contradiction with OCPA's bylaws, policy, mission, goals and purposes. **Annual Membership Term is the 12 months following the member's join/payment date**

Student Membership - $60.00 (USD) Subscription period: 1 year No automatically recurring payments A STUDENT MEMBER is an individual enrolled in any educational program that will lead to employment as a paralegal as defined by California Business & Professions Code Section 6450. A Student Member may serve on any committee within the Association, or may participate on the board of directors as a student liaison, as appointed by the board of directors. A Student Member is entitled to all other benefits of OCPA but does not have voting privileges and is ineligible to hold any office or position voted upon by the general OCPA membership. A Student Member who does not find paralegal employment within six months of graduation must convert his or her membership to Associate status.

As a STUDENT MEMBER, I further certify that I am currently enrolled in a paralegal training program or receiving training as a paralegal from a law firm, legal department, or other paralegal employer. **Annual Membership Term is the 12 months following the member's join/payment date**

Sustaining Membership - $180.00 (USD) Bundle (up to 2 members) Subscription period: 1 year No automatically recurring payments A sustaining member is any person, law firm, association, institution or other entity interested in supporting the goals of the Association but does quality for the Voting or Associate membership. A sustaining member has no voting privileges. Membership runs on an annual basis. **Annual Membership Term is the 12 months following the member's join/payment date**