Active Member Application

General Information

  CP
  ACP
  FCP
  FRP
  Other
  Yes
  No
  Yes
  No

Chapter Affiliation

Visit the PAF website at www.pafinc.org to determine the Chapter location nearest to you. If you do not indicate a PAF Chapter affiliation, a PAF Chapter affiliation will be designated for you based on the geographic location closest to your preferred address. Members at Large will be designated only for those applicants whose preferred address is not located near a PAF Chapter.

 At Large
 Big Bend
 Broward
 Emerald Coast
 First Coast
 Palm Beach County
 Pinellas

Definitions and Qualifications of Paralegal

Paralegals are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. 

"A 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 and who performs specifically substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible." American Bar Association 2024

“A paralegal is a person with education, training or work experience, who works under the direction and supervision of the Florida Bar and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a member of the Florida Bar is responsible,” Florida Bar, Rule 20.

Qualification for Active Membership

I hereby apply for membership as an ACTIVE MEMBER in the PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA, INC. (PAF) and certify that the above information is true and correct and that I meet the requirements for Active Membership as set forth at the PAF website (www.pafinc.org). I affirm that I have read and agree to be bound by the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility adopted by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. and PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA, INC. (See PAF website: www.pafinc.org.) If I am advised by PAF that I have been found to be in violation of Sections 3.8 or 3.9 of its Bylaws, I will, on my own initiative, resign my membership from PAF. I HEREBY GIVE CONSENT TO PAF TO CONTACT MY PRESENT AND/OR FORMER SUPERVISING ATTORNEY(S) FOR VERIFICATION OR CLARIFICATION OF MY QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP.

Check only one of the following statements that indicates how you qualify for membership and provide the documents requested:

  (a) Successful completion of the Certified Paralegal/Certified Legal Assistant (CP/CLA) examination administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (“NALA”). Provide copy of current CP/CLA certificate.
  (b) Graduation from a currently approved American Bar Association (“ABA”) program of study for paralegals. Provide copy of degree or certificate of completion.
  (c) Graduation from a course of study for paralegals which is institutionally accredited, but not ABA-approved, and which requires not less than the equivalent of sixty (60) semester hours of classroom study. Provide copy of degree AND a transcript (unofficial is acceptable) showing total hours earned.
  (d) Graduation from a course of study for paralegals other than those set forth above, plus not less than six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal. A copy of graduation certificate AND completed Attorney/Employer Attestation for Active Member Application must be submitted with this application.
  (e) A baccalaureate degree in any field, plus not less than six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal. A copy of baccalaureate degree AND completed Attorney/Employer Attestation for Active Member Application must be submitted with this application.
  (f) A minimum of three (3) years of law-related experience under the supervision of an attorney, including not less than six (6) months of in-house training as a paralegal. Completed Attorney/Employer Attestation for Active Member Application must be submitted with this application.
  (g) Two (2) years of in-house training as a paralegal. Completed Attorney/Employer Attestation for Active Member Application must be submitted with this application.
  (h) Two (2) years of in-house training by a governmental agency or corporation as a paralegal. A copy of your paralegal training coursework, college degree, or governmental job certificate AND a letter from your employer describing your paralegal related duties.

Attorney/Employer Attestation for Active Member Application