Overview

The National Capital Area Paralegal Association (NCAPA) is a voluntary, non-profit organization formed in 1974 by paralegals living or working in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and northern Virginia dedicated to the advancement of the paralegal profession. NCAPA defines a paralegal as a person, qualified through education, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by a lawyer. This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency, or other entity, or may be authorized by administrative, statutory, or court authority to perform this work. Substantive shall mean work requiring recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts. NCAPA is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of voting members of the association who have been members for at least one year, nominated by and approved by a vote of the current "voting" members of the Association. Of the members of the Board of Directors, five Directors also serve as Officers. The Officers of the association are: the President, President-Elect, First Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. In addition to the Board of Directors, Chairs and Co-Chairs, are appointed to head the various NCAPA committees. NCAPA offers a variety of practice area related committees, continuing legal education, employment services, pro bono/volunteer, and leadership opportunities to its members.