| Ceaser Espinoza, Chair of the Approval Commission and Robyn Ice, Chair of the Standing Committee on Paralegals, want to announce the newly created newsletter for ABA Approved Paralegal Programs. |
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Trouble Viewing? View online.
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Standing Committee on Paralegals & Approval Commission
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ABA Paralegals Spring 2025 Newsletter
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Updates, Reminders, and Upcoming Events from the Standing Committee on Paralegals and Approval Commission
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50th Anniversary
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Recognizing Longtime Programs
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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ABA approving paralegal education programs. We would like to recognize some of the longest approved programs:
50 years as of August 2025:
- Stevenson University
- University of California, LA - UCLA Extension
49 years:
- William Rainey Harper College
- Edmonds College
- Oakland University
- Roosevelt University
- Rose State College
- Widener University Delaware Law School
48 years:
- Arapahoe Community College
- Winona State University
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Loyola University Chicago
47 years:
- Kapi'olani Community College
- University of San Diego
- California State University, Los Angeles
- Highline College
- Inver Hills Community College
- University of Oklahoma Law Center
46 years:
- Mercer County Community College
- North Hennepin Community College
45 years:
- Johnson County Community College
- Mercy University
- Central Penn College
- Eastern Kentucky University
- LIU Brooklyn
Thank you for your commitment to the ABA approval process and quality paralegal education!
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Call for Submissions
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Graduate Success Stories
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One of the ways we want to celebrate the 50th anniversary is to highlight stories of graduates of ABA approved programs. Please submit a story of one of your program graduates using the form linked below. Graduate success stories will be posted to the ABA’s website. Submissions are due by June 1, 2025.
Note: a consent form signed by both the program director and graduate must be uploaded with each submission.
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Submit Graduate Success Story ⟶❯❯
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New Blog Post
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Paralegal Core Competencies
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Melissa Hamilton, ACP, current member of the Standing Committee on Paralegals Approval Commission and a paralegal in the General Counsel Division of the North Dakota Office of Attorney General, discusses the core competencies and durable skills that allow paralegals to excel and enhance the legal ecosystem.
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Read the Full Post ⟶❯❯
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Upcoming Discussion Hour
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Hosting Successful Site Visits
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The next installment in our free Virtual Discussion Hours series will take place on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 12:00pm and will focus on planning and executing successful site visits. The presentation will include best practices for both in-person and virtual site visits and will conclude with a question and answer period.
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Register Now ⟶❯❯
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Upcoming Publication
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2025 Practical Guide
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The new version of the Practical Guide to the ABA Approval Process – last published in 2020 – will be available this spring. This publication serves as a step-by-step guide to the ABA approval process and navigation of the ABA Paralegal Education Program Approval Process Electronic Reporting System.
The appendices that follow the narrative portion of the Practical Guide are extensive and include ABA required forms, samples of various documents required throughout the approval process, as well as examples of completed forms.
The Practical Guide will be available as a two-part downloadable PDF and will be listed for $180 on the Shop ABA webpage. Programs will be notified when it is available for purchase.
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Due Date Reminder
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Annual Fee Payments
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Annual Fee payments are due May 1, 2025. Invoices were mailed to program directors at the end of January. Please email Shannon Thompson if you have not received your invoice or to check that status of a submitted payment. Thank you to those of you who have already paid.
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Resource Reminder
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Free ABA Membership for Paralegal Students
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ABA membership is free for paralegal students and allows students access to over 600 widely-accredited online webinars and on-demand programs, with more programs added each month, career and networking resources, and content produced by ABA Sections, Forums, Commissions and Divisions.
If your paralegal students are interested in joining, please have them visit the Membership Page and follow these steps.
If you have any questions or experience any issues with joining, please contact the ABA Service Center at 1-800-285-2221 or via email.
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Did You Know?
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The Directory of ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs web page averages 14,000 visits per month! Please take a moment to review your listing and ensure that all information is correct. To request any changes, please email Abigail Randall.
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View Directory Listing ⟶❯❯
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*** You are receiving this message as an ABA Approved Paralegal Education Program Director or as someone who is interested in the ABA Approval Process. If you have any questions about this mailing please contact Abigail Randall directly by calling 312-988-5617 or emailing [email protected] ***
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This message was sent to [email protected].
Your e-mail address will only be used within the ABA.
We do not sell or rent e-mail addresses.
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American Bar Association
321 N Clark, Chicago, IL 60654-7598
800-285-2221 | 312-988-5522
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This message was sent to [email protected].
Your e-mail address will only be used within the ABA.
We do not sell or rent e-mail addresses.
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American Bar Association
321 N Clark, Chicago, IL 60654-7598
800-285-2221 | 312-988-5522
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