Los Angeles Paralegal Association

What Los Angeles Paralegal Association does

The Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) is a nonprofit professional membership association founded approximately in 1972 (with a 40th Anniversary Resolution from Los Angeles City Hall indicating roughly four decades of operation) that serves working paralegals, paralegal students, legal employers, and legal aid organizations in the Los Angeles County area. The organization delivers its services through a Wild Apricot-powered digital platform that handles membership enrollment, event registration, on-demand MCLE course delivery, job board operations, and member communications. LAPA generates revenue across five primary streams: annual membership dues (subscription/recurring), MCLE educational events offered both live via Zoom and on-demand (with member and non-member pricing tiers), annual conferences including the flagship 50th Annual October Conference and Spring Career Conference (one-time event fees plus exhibitor booth sales), job board posting fees for employers, and voluntary donations supporting operations and pro bono partnerships.

LAPA's core offerings include an MCLE continuing education store, a NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) exam preparation course, a freelance paralegals directory, a Career Center job board operated via CareerWebsite.com, and a monthly newsletter called The Reporter. The organization supplements digital services with in-person programming at venues including Cal State University Los Angeles Downtown Campus and Pacific Palms Resort, and hosts social events such as the Paralegal Day Casino Night Party. Strategic partnerships anchor the member value proposition: NALA affiliation provides national certification and conference access; twelve-plus pro bono legal aid partners (Public Counsel, LAFLA, Bet Tzedek, Inner City Law Center, Alliance for Children's Rights, and others) enable community service opportunities; and a Showcase Benefactor Member ecosystem of court reporting, deposition, document retrieval, and financial services firms provides event sponsorship and MCLE programming. Governance is volunteer-driven through a Board of Directors and Executive Committee, with 1-10 paid staff.

Name

Los Angeles Paralegal Association

Legal name

Los Angeles Paralegal Association

Website

https://lapa.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Los Angeles Paralegal Association is a nonprofit professional membership association serving working paralegals, paralegal students, and legal employers in Los Angeles County, delivering continuing education (MCLE), annual conferences, certification prep, job board services, and pro bono community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAALAB

Legal & Compliance (CLE, Paralegal CE)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Licensure & Continuing Professional Education (CE/CPE)

SECONDARYBPAGAEAM

Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYTHAHACAA

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

Keywords

• Paralegal professional association
• Legal continuing education
• MCLE courses
• Professional membership services
• Legal networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to member benefits, resources, and discounted event pricing
2. MCLE Educational Events: Continuing legal education programs offered both live online via Zoom and on-demand, with member and non-member pricing tiers
3. Annual Conferences: Large-scale conferences including the Annual October Conference and Spring Career Conference with exhibitor and attendee revenue
4. Job Board Postings: Career Center platform allowing employers to post job announcements for paralegal positions
5. Donations: Voluntary donations supporting LAPA operations and charitable initiatives including pro bono partnerships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) is a nonprofit professional membership association that sells annual memberships, continuing legal education (MCLE) courses and live seminars, an annual flagship October Conference, a Spring Career Conference, a Certified Paralegal exam preparation course, a job board, and a freelance paralegal directory. These offerings are delivered primarily through the Wild Apricot membership platform and supplemented by in-person events across Los Angeles County. The organization also facilitates pro bono volunteer opportunities through 12+ legal aid partner organizations.

Product overview

Los Angeles Paralegal Association (LAPA) is a professional membership organization offering a portfolio of educational products, professional development events, and member services for paralegals in the Los Angeles area. The core offerings include the MCLE Store for continuing education courses, annual conferences (50th Annual October Conference and Spring Career Conference), Certified Paralegal exam preparation, and an awards program recognizing outstanding contributions to the profession. Additional services include a freelance paralegals directory, student scholarship program, career center job board, and the monthly Reporter newsletter. The organization also facilitates pro bono community service opportunities through partnerships with legal aid organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MCLE Store Online store for purchasing and accessing on-demand MCLE (Minimum Continuing Legal Education) courses for paralegals seeking continuing education credits. Non-member pricing typically $40, Member pricing $20, with topics covering AI ethics, evidence preservation, real estate law, and specialized practice areas.
• 50th Annual October Conference LAPA's flagship annual conference bringing together hundreds of paralegals for MCLE sessions, networking, and professional development. Includes exhibitor booths, sponsor packages, and multiple MCLE sessions.
• 2026 Spring Career Conference Annual career networking event featuring recruiters, professional certification panels, and resume services. Pricing tiers include students $25 and non-students $50.
• Paralegal Day Casino Night Party Annual networking event celebrating Paralegal Day with casino games, raising funds for charity (Project Hope). Held at 801 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles.
• Certified Paralegal (CP) Study Course Study course designed to help paralegals prepare for the NALA Certified Paralegal (CP) examination, offered in partnership with NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants).
• Freelance Paralegals Listing Directory of LAPA member freelance paralegals available for contract work with attorneys, law firms, corporations, or governmental agencies.
• Career Center Job Board Job board platform connecting legal employers with qualified paralegal candidates in California, operated through partnership with CareerWebsite.com. Features legal job listings, resume posting, and job alerts for paralegal professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members gain access to 70+ educational institution alumni network and 12+ pro bono partner organizations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Regal Court ReportingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCourt reporting services firm featured as Showcase Benefactor Member. Contact: Marissa Halo.
• Nationwide Legal, LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLegal services provider featured as Showcase Benefactor Member. Contact: Sigrid Propper.
• Hines ReportersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCourt reporting services firm listed as Benefactor Member under Court Reporting category.
• NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLAPA is an active member of NALA, the leading national organization for paralegal professionals. This affiliation provides members access to NALA certification programs (Certified Paralegal/CP), national conferences, professional development resources, and networking across the paralegal profession. LAPA promotes NALA CP exam preparation courses and NALA conferences to members.
• Public CounselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation's largest public interest law firm specializing in delivering pro bono legal services to low-income communities. LAPA members volunteer through Project Hope and other initiatives. LAPA participates in Public Counsel's Run for Justice 5K charity event.
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free counsel, representation, advocacy and community education in housing, government benefits, family, consumer, immigration and employment law. LAPA members volunteer to support LAFLA's mission serving working poor Angelenos.
• Bet Tzedek Legal ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the nation's premier legal services organizations providing free assistance to more than 10,000 people annually. LAPA members volunteer to support Bet Tzedek's work with vulnerable community members.
• Inner City Law CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes poorest and most vulnerable individuals and families in Los Angeles County since 1980. Provides free legal representation and social service advocacy to over 2,000 homeless and working poor clients annually.
• Alliance for Children's RightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading service organization in Los Angeles dedicated solely to protecting impoverished and abused children. Has served nearly 60,000 youths who age out of the foster care system.
• Downtown Women's CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnly organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on serving women experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless women. LAPA supports through volunteer activities and fundraising.
• Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading national organization advocating for rights of unaccompanied migrant and refugee children. Provides pro bono legal representation through strategic partnerships.
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association supporting court-appointed advocates for abused or neglected children. LAPA supports CASA Los Angeles as charity of choice for the 50th Annual October Conference.
• OneJusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative nonprofit bringing life-changing legal help to those in need by transforming the civil legal aid system. Works statewide to build capacity of California's civil legal aid system.
• Beverly Hills Bar AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest voluntary bar association in Los Angeles' Westside. Provides community outreach programs and public legal education as part of LAPA's pro bono partner network.
• LA RepresentsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnprecedented legal assistance initiative helping Angelenos facing hardship due to COVID-19 pandemic, including vulnerable tenants, domestic violence victims, and low-income individuals.
• SparkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngages communities to provide career exploration and self-discovery opportunities for middle school students. LAPA supports through volunteer engagement.
• UCLA Paralegal ProgramcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as Benefactor Member educational institution. LAPA membership provides career services and professional development for UCLA paralegal graduates.
• Aquipt Trial Support ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrial services provider featured as Showcase Benefactor Member. Contact: Jennifer Myers (610) 842-2304.
• Naegeli Deposition & TrialminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeposition and trial services firm featured as Showcase Benefactor Member. Contact: Erin Martuscelli.
• Macro-ProminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDocument retrieval services firm listed as Benefactor Member under Document Retrieval category.
• Cal Private BankminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinancial services firm listed as Benefactor Member. Contact: Violette Kazandjian.
• First LegalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst Legal Network provides sponsorship for LAPA events including Summer Mixer and Casino Night Party. First Legal will be on site at Paralegal Day Casino Night Party with gift card prizes.
• MagnaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLitigation solutions company sponsors LAPA events including Spring Career Conference and provides MCLE presentations on topics like Ethical Use of Graphics at Trial.
• LexitasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegal services company sponsors LAPA's Spring Career Conference. Presenters include Jason Primuth who presented Ethics of AI in Litigation MCLE.
• Sydney Paige FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit providing students in need with backpacks filled with school supplies. LAPA supports through annual Backpack & School Supply Drive.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants): NALA is the national paralegal professional association with which LAPA holds a core affiliation. It offers the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential that LAPA's CP Study Course prepares members for, and operates as a direct peer in professional association, continuing education, and certification services for paralegals.
• National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA): NFPA is the other leading national paralegal association in the U.S., offering similar member services, continuing education, and the PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam) certification. It directly competes with LAPA's NALA-aligned offerings at the national level for paralegal members.
• Orange County Paralegal Association (OCPA): OCPA is the most comparable regional paralegal association in Southern California, serving Orange County paralegals with member events, MCLE programming, and job resources. It is LAPA's closest direct geographic peer in the regional paralegal association segment.
• San Diego Paralegal Association: San Diego Paralegal Association is another Southern California regional paralegal association providing MCLE, networking, and career services. It is highly comparable as a parallel California regional paralegal member organization serving a similar member base.

Broad incumbents

• California Alliance of Paralegal Associations (CAPA): CAPA is the statewide umbrella organization of California paralegal associations, of which LAPA is a member. It provides broader coordinating, legislative, and cross-association networking functions that overlap with LAPA's statewide reach activities.
• National Business Institute (NBI): NBI is a major national CLE/CME provider offering live seminars, on-demand courses, and webinars across legal topics. It competes with LAPA's MCLE Store on breadth and convenience, though NBI serves attorneys and paralegals nationally rather than a regional member base.
• Practising Law Institute (PLI): PLI is a leading national provider of continuing legal education for attorneys, offering live programs, on-demand webcasts, and treatises. It is an adjacent incumbent in the legal education space whose catalog and brand compete with LAPA's MCLE offerings for paralegal education spend.
• California State Bar (State Bar of California): The State Bar of California is the regulatory and member association for California attorneys. It sets MCLE rules that drive demand for LAPA's CLE courses and represents a broader incumbent in the California legal professional association landscape with overlapping California-based CLE mission.

Others

• Beverly Hills Bar Association: BHBA is a Los Angeles-area voluntary bar association serving attorneys, listed as a LAPA pro bono partner. It is an adjacent professional association in the same geography providing CLE and networking, with overlapping but distinct (attorney-focused) member base.

Emerging players

• BARBRI (Reichman University / BARBRI Inc.): BARBRI is a leading legal education provider known for bar review but also offering CLE, paralegal education, and legal technology training. It competes with LAPA on educational content for paralegals and offers digital-first delivery at national scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles Paralegal Association