The ABA's Standing Committee on Paralegals is seeking a paralegal to serve as a "public sector" representative on their Approval Commission. By way of background, the thirteen-member Approval Commission makes recommendations to the Standing Committee regarding the approval and reapproval of paralegal education programs. The Approval Commission performs on-site inspections of all paralegal education programs seeking ABA approval or reapproval. The Commission meets in the fall and spring of each year in Chicago. The Commission traditionally meets all day Friday and usually adjourns in the early afternoon on Saturday. As a "public sector" representative, this member of the Commission would be reimbursed in full for attendance at the meetings. We now have 259 ABA approved paralegal education programs throughout the United States.

In addition to attending the meetings, each member of the Approval Commission is asked to participate in at least four site visits per year of his/her term (2 for the fall meeting and 2 for the spring meeting). Site visits last approximately one and a half days. Expenses of the site visits are reimbursed by the educational programs seeking ABA approval or reapproval. Each member of the Approval Commission is assigned to write particular portions of the report of the site visit team on which he/she participated. Members of the Approval Commission may be assigned to work on subcommittees of the commission if one is formed to accomplish a particular project or goal. Before being asked to chair a site visit, a new member will accompany a more experienced member on 2-3 visits.

Educational requirements include as a minimum a four-year college degree from an accredited educational institution. Experience working with or as paralegals is also necessary. The preparation of the site visit report requires good writing skills.

Terms on the Commission are one-year but due to the time it takes a new member to become experienced, members are nominated for reappointment for two additional terms.

For more information about particular application requirements, please contact the Standing Committee:

Peggy C. Wallace
Staff Counsel
ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals
321 N. Clark Street - 19.1
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: (312) 988-5618
Fax: (312) 988-5483
E-Mail: wallacep@staff.abanet.org

www.abaparalegals.org