Sponsors
Becoming a Competent Paralegal
Supporting Paralegals in New Jersey
Your journey to becoming a competent paralegal includes membership to The Paralegal Association of New Jersey. Our Association is strongly committed to providing continuing legal education and helpful resources to new and experienced paralegals throughout the state. Take the next step to becoming a more knowledgeable paralegal by joining the Association today!
Who Are Paralegals?
As defined by NALA, “Paralegals, also known as legal assistants, are a distinguishable group of persons who assist attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training, and experience, legal assistants have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and substantive and procedural law which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the supervision of an attorney.”
The Paralegal Association of New Jersey: An Overview
- The Paralegal Association of New Jersey, Inc. ("PANJ") is a non-profit association formed in 1982 to foster and promote regulated high-level educational standards and uniform practice guidelines for the paralegal. PANJ also promotes the education of the public for the advancement and improvement of the paralegal profession.
- In 2007, after a vote of the general membership, PANJ legally changed its name to The Paralegal Association of New Jersey Inc. from The Legal Assistant's Association of New Jersey (LAANJ). At that time, PANJ joined other national and local organizations as the industry continues to move away from the term "Legal Assistant" and towards "Paralegal."
- PANJ is affiliated with The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). NALA has developed a voluntary certification exam. Those who succeed in passing the exam are entitled to use the designation "CP"-Certified Paralegal or "CLA" - Certified Legal Assistant. Specialty examinations in certain practice areas are also available to be taken by those who have attained CLA/CP status and those passing the specialty examination are entitled to use the designation "ACP"- Advanced Certified Paralegal. NALA also provides PANJ with national representation in matters that affect the paralegal profession. Each member of PANJ is bound by NALA's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility in addition to any code adopted by PANJ.
- PANJ is an active participant and sponsor in The Annual New Jersey Paralegal Convention, an all day event for paralegals which includes educational seminars, an exhibitor hall and unlimited networking opportunities!
PANJ utilizes Constant Contact to keep in touch, forward notice of events, etc.
PANJ utilizes a Forum for attendees to register and pay for upcoming events. Click Forum to visit!
The Forum contains two Boards:
1. the GENERAL Board for upcoming events which are listed as threads. Each thread includes a link for both members and non-members to register and pay for a particular event;
2. the MEMBERS Board to access the Job Bank and Perspective threads.
MEMBERS, in order to obtain the discounted event attendance fee, access the Job Bank and access the Perspective, you MUST register and create a username and password on the Forum. Your username must be professional and you MUST use the same email address connected with your PANJ membership. Once your registration is complete, please allow 5-7 calendar days to process. You will receive an email thanking you for activating your ProBoards (Forum) account. Thereafter, the discounted event attendance fee and access to the Job Bank and Perspective will be granted. Access expires once your PANJ membership lapses. MEMBERS, if you do not create a username and password, the Forum will automatically charge you full price for any events.
NON-MEMBERS, visit the Forum to register and pay for upcoming events. However, in order to qualify for discounted event attendance, access the Job Bank and access the Perspective, you will need to become a member of PANJ. Visit the Membership Page!
