Welcome to the official website of the Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc. (“PAF”), affiliate of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (“NALA”). PAF was incorporated in 1976 and formed for the purpose of promoting and enhancing the paralegal profession in the State of Florida. PAF has nearly 1,000 members statewide with 11 Chapters and still growing. The primary goals of PAF are contained on the Association’s website. PAF is dedicated to the promotion of the paralegal profession, including providing opportunities for members to:
PAF has 11 Chapters throughout the state which meet on a monthly basis, thus providing networking opportunities and superior continuing legal education credits. The Chapter meeting provides a substantive law speaker. Many Chapters maintain job banks, offer scholarships to members wishing to attain their CP/CLA or FCP designations, and also have monthly newsletters to keep members apprised of issues affecting the local legal community and activities within the Chapter.
PAF is the first association to offer a state certification exam for individuals who have attained the CP/CLA designation and desire to pursue additional credentials. The FCP exam is offered in conjunction with the University of Central Florida. For more information about this exam and/or the CP/CLA exam, please check our “Certifications” page on our website.
Communication with our members is a vital aspect of our organization. Each member receives a copy of our quarterly publication “In Brief,” which provides the latest information on the profession, information relating to NALA and the CP exam, articles on substantive law, and also publish an electronic newsletter, “In Brief…Briefly,” providing time-sensitive information to our members.
PAF strives to help its’ members better assist the legal community in fulfilling its duty to their clients and the public.
Do you have a question about PAF? Ask an officer and/or Chapter President – visit our “Officers and Directors” page to find links to the state officers and to the local chapters. We have many committees at the state and local level (i.e., publicity, community service, bar liaison, and historian) - PAF and its Chapters are always in need of “good men and women for committee involvement.” As the challenge escalates, the need for teamwork elevates. – John C. Maxwell, TEAMWORK 101.
If you are not a member and interested in joining PAF – click on the "Membership Application" tab to start downloading the application. Once you have joined PAF, please look at “Visit a Chapter” tab and you will find links to the homepages of our 11 chapters, which is your best networking opportunity! PAF has much to offer its members.
In the near future you will be seeing an updated website with more information and member items of interest regarding our Chapters and PAF. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to click the “Contact Us” page.
Patricia C. DeRamus, ACP, FRP
President