About HPA (formerly HALA)
Welcome to HPA's Website!The
Heartland Association of Legal Assistants became a reality in 2001. The
charter members previously belonged to an organization based outside the Kansas
City Metro area before forming HALA. To attend regular luncheon meetings required
taking a vacation day from work, and board meetings were held by teleconference.
Members felt disjointed and, therefore, attendance was extremely low. Seven
ambitious paralegals decided it was time to break out and form a totally new organization
geared toward the paralegals in and close to the metro Kansas City area (Kansas
and Missouri). The process began in January 2001. Little did we know what all
was ahead. By-laws needed drafting, as did standing rules; decisions needed
to be made on membership structure and dues. What would the organization be called?
How would we be recognized? The name was selected from a group of suggested
possibilities, a logo was designed and officers were elected.
Being affiliated
with a national organization was important. Since some charter members were Certified
Legal Assistants (now known as Certified Paralegals), the natural choice was the
National Association of Legal Assistants/Paralegals (NALA). The newly formed organization
applied for affiliate status and received it in March 2001. Then the work
began. Incorporation was a must and applying for our tax exempt status began.
Getting information out by fax and our newsletter to as many people as possible
was a huge task culminating in a “Welcome” Reception in June held
at Shook, Hardy, and Bacon located in Corporate Woods. Our first “official”
meeting was set for September 11, 2001. Needless to say, our meeting was postponed.
Since
our first CLE meeting of October 2001, we have had many great speakers on a number
of topics and have grown into the great organization we are today! Part of our most recent growth is a result of staying informed with professional trends. One such trend is the recognition that the legal assisting profession has evolved over the past 40 or so years into more of a distinction between the terms "legal assistant" and "paralegal." The two terms were once used interchangeably just as the terms "lawyer" and "attorney." However, in recent years the preference for "paralegal" continues to gain strength.
At our April 2010 general membership meeting a vote was taken and the tally was clear ... the membership prefers to be referred to as paralegals and change our organization's name to Heartland Paralegal Association.
Heartland Association of Legal Assistants (HALA) will always hold a special place in our hearts! However, with growth comes change and now we look forward to many years of more growth as we adapt to an evolving profession and as essential members of the legal professional team.
Our Members Are Crucial To Our Survival!
From
the very beginning, the charter members decided that this organization would be
“member” driven. By that we meant that the board would be a means
by which the members could receive the programs and benefits they felt were essential.
The president would be a facilitator. And the Executive Board would be the machine
putting things in motion that would be interesting to the members.
The Executive
Board welcomes suggestions from the members and encourages all to participate
by running for office, helping on a committee, or just making suggestions.
Make
HPA (fka HALA) your professional organization of choice! About
HALA Membership Info |
Executive Board | Code
of Professional Responsibility | Meetings
& Seminars | Events Calendar
| CLA/CLAS Info |
Useful Links | Contact
HALA
| 
