Membership
Interested in becoming a Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association member? Read on for more information about membership levels, benefits and frequently asked questions.
Levels
We offer several membership levels to meet the needs of our paralegal community.
Student
Student membership is available to those at local paralegal schools.
Student
Any person who is enrolled at and participating in a paralegal education program.
Associate
Associate members are persons who do not meet the requirement for either voting or student membership, but have either training or experience as a paralegal but are not currently working as a paralegal. This category includes paralegal educators, attorneys and paralegals looking for work.
Voting
A working paralegal meeting the following requirements:
1. Is a practicing paralegal in the State of California and either (a) meets the requirements of Business and Professions Code section 6450 et seq. or (b) is employed by the State of California; and
2. Is employed by or contracts with an attorney or attorneys licensed to practice in the State of California; and
3. Spends at least fifty percent (50%) of their working time on paralegal duties.
Sustaining
Any person or entity (including educational institutions and corporations) who does not qualify for membership as a voting, student, or associate member. SVPA offers four different benefit levels for sustaining members, view our sustaining member page for more information.
Non-Voting
Persons who do not meet the requirements for either voting or student membership, but have either training or experience as a paralegal. Not currently employed in the legal field (retired/seeking employment).
Voting
A working paralegal meeting the following eligibility criteria:
1. Is a practicing paralegal in the State of California and either (a) meets the requirements of Business and Professions Code section 6450 et seq. or (b) is employed by the State of California; and
2. Is employed by or contracts with an attorney or attorneys licensed to practice in the State of California; and
3. Spends at least fifty percent (50%) of their working time on paralegal duties, including:
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Case planning, development, and management;
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Legal research;
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Interviewing clients; fact gathering and retrieving information;
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Drafting and analyzing legal documents;
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Collecting, compiling, and utilizing technical information to make an independent decision and
recommendation to the supervising attorney; -
Representing clients before a state or federal administrative agency if that representation is permitted by statute,
court rule, or administrative rule or regulation; and -
Docketing and calendaring.
Sponsor
Any person or entity (including educational institutions and corporations) who does not qualify for membership as a voting, student, or associate member. View the sponsors page here: https://www.svpa.org/sustaining-membership
Benefits
As a member of the Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association, you will enjoy numerous benefits. In addition to networking with other paralegals and professionals, your membership provides you with the following benefits.
Education
SVPA holds monthly education events. At luncheon meetings, association business is discussed and guest speakers give presentations on various topics of interest to paralegals. Throughout the year, SVPA also hosts various social and fund-raising events. For more information, please see our calendar.
Publications
SVPA publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, The Journal, for its members. The Journal contains articles and announcements of SVPA activities, events, job-related matters, seminar information, national and statewide interests, and other reports. SVPA encourages and invites its members to submit articles for publication in The Journal. If you have researched a specific legal topic, read a case which would be of interest to your colleagues or have a Practice Survival Tip, please share it with us. SVPA also publishes a Salary Survey (when available), which contains valuable information regarding salary and working conditions of paralegals in the greater Sacramento area.
Affiliations
SVPA is in the process of becoming a member of National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA) which serves to inform and work on behalf of paralegal regarding national events. SVPA members receive the Facts & Findings quarterly journal and are entitled to all benefits offered by NALA.
SVPA is a member of the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA) which serves to inform and work on behalf of paralegals regarding state events and serves as a communication network between paralegals and paralegal associations in California. SVPA members receive the CAPA newsletter, RECAP, on a tri-annual basis. Your collateral membership in CAPA has other benefits as well.
SVPA is an Associate Affiliate Member of the Sacramento County Bar Association which offers various benefits to both SVPA and SVPA Members. SVPA Members are offered a discounted membership fee to SCBA.