Join WNYPA

Join WNYPA

Membership is open to qualifying paralegals, legal assistants, and paralegal students in the Buffalo and surrounding areas. A freelance paralegal will be required to submit written verification from a supervising attorney that they have performed substantive legal work in the past 90 days.

** If you are a current member looking to renew,

please log in and follow the instructions on the member homepage ** 

Membership Benefits:

  • All members of the WNYPA are automatically members of the Empire State Alliance of Paralegal Associations (ESAPA).
  • Direct contact with over 100 local paralegals who share your professional interests, educational background, and employment situations.
    • Networking opportunities provided by WNYPA sponsored social events.
  • Continuing legal education opportunities, including both formal seminars and informal specialty-section presentations, designed specifically for paralegals.
    • Opportunities for professional development including access to Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam (PACE) study group.
  • Access to WNYPA’s online Job Board and, through reciprocal agreements with other member associations, information regarding career opportunities nationwide.
  • E-mail notification of all announcements, activities, events, surveys, scholarship opportunities, awards, and much more!
  • Invitation to social events hosted by WNYPA.
  • Ability to influence WNYPA policy and the future development of the paralegal profession through direct participation in Association activities including committee membership and contributions to discussions.
  • Access to news of national, state, and local legislation, decisions, and events affecting the paralegal profession.
  • Peer recognition and affirmation. 

Click on the membership level you wish to apply for below:

Active Member (Voting) 
Emeritus Member (Non-Voting)
Student Member (Non-Voting)
Associate Member (Non-Voting)

Qualifications for Membership Levels

Active Member ($70.00/$72.50)

An Active Member shall be defined as any employed paralegal having a title of Paralegal, Legal Assistant, Nurse Paralegal, or Paralegal Assistant or, if self-employed or employed under another title, having a significant number of duties and responsibilities normally associated with a paralegal position, and who meets the requirements set forth in any one of the following eight (8) categories: 

  1. Possesses a baccalaureate degree, a certificate from a paralegal training program and at least six (6) months working experience in a paralegal capacity;
  2. Possesses a baccalaureate degree and at least one (1) year working experience in a paralegal capacity;
  3. Possesses an associate degree in paralegal studies and at least one (1) year working experience in a paralegal capacity;
  4. Possesses an associate degree and at least two (2) years working experience in a paralegal capacity;
  5. Possesses a high school diploma, a certificate from a paralegal training program and at least three (3) years working experience in a paralegal capacity;
  6. Possesses a high school diploma and at least four (4) years working experience in a paralegal capacity; or
  7. Was an Active Member in good standing of the Association as of December 20, 1988.

A self-employed or Freelance Paralegal will be required to submit written verification from a supervising attorney that they have performed substantive legal work in the past 90 days.

Any paralegal as defined by the criteria set forth in Subsections 1-7 above and who possesses at least twenty (20) years working experience in a paralegal capacity, who has been in good standing of WNYPA as of January 1, 2000, but is temporarily not employed as a paralegal. If not employed as a paralegal at the end of a one-year period from loss of employment then the Active Member status expires.

Associate Member ($60.00/$62.50)

An Associate Member shall be defined as any employed paralegal not qualifying for active membership or any unemployed paralegal or any individual or organization interested in WNYPA’s goals, purposes, education and/or professional offerings. An Associate Member shall not be entitled to vote but shall have all other privileges of active membership. 

Emeritus Member ($35.00/$37.50)

An Emeritus Member shall be defined as any individual who has been an Active or Associate Member in the past, or any organization interested in WNYPA’s goals, purposes, education and/or professional offerings. An Emeritus Member shall not be entitled to vote, and are unable to be elected to or serve on the WNYPA Board. An Emeritus Member shall have all other privileges of active membership.

Student Member ($60.00/$62.50)

A Student Member shall be defined as any student currently enrolled in an accredited college or university, who does not meet the requirements to maintain the designation Active Member. A Student Member shall not be entitled to vote but shall have all of the other privileges of active membership. 

Note – membership dues increased by $5.00 to cover the rising cost of operating expenses (May 2024). 

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