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Standing Committee on Paralegals

Our mission is to improve the American system of justice by establishing ABA standards for the education of paralegals and by promoting attorneys' professional, effective and ethical utilization of paralegal services.

ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals

The Standing Committee on Paralegals develops and promotes policies relating to the education, employment, training and effective use of paralegals. The Standing Committee, through its Approval Commission, continues to serve as the body to set standards for paralegal education. In addition to overseeing the approval process, the Standing Committee monitors trends in the field and provides information for those persons interested in becoming paralegals.

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ABA Approved Programs

Search the ABA Approved Paralegal Education Program Directory to find information on over 230 ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs.

Interested in Applying for ABA Approval?

Find out more about ABA approval for your paralegal or legal studies program. Learn about the application process and achieving compliance with the ABA Guidelines for the Approval of Paralegal Education Programs.

Pro Bono and Access to Justice Spotlight

Read about the work that ABA Approved Paralegal Programs are doing to promote pro bono and access to justice initiatives.

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ABA Definition of Paralegal

The ABA House of Delegates adopted the current definition of paralegal at the February 2020 Midyear Meeting.

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Paralegals Blog

The Standing Committee on Paralegals and Approval Commission blog covers a wide range of topics that are of interest to lawyers, law firm managers, paralegal educators and those interested in promoting the profession and ethical utilization of paralegal services.

More About the Standing Committee on Paralegals

The Standing Committee on Paralegals develops and promotes policies relating to the education, employment, training and effective use of paralegals. The Standing Committee, through its Approval Commission, continues to serve as the body to set standards for paralegal education. In addition to overseeing its approval program, the Standing Committee monitors trends in the field. The Standing Committee maintains an information service for those persons interested in becoming paralegals. In an average year, the staff office processes more than 6,000 requests for information and responds to numerous requests for help.