Membership Terms and Conditions

For the purpose of membership status, regardless of the applicant's job title, a "Paralegal" shall be considered anyone 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, corporation or entity, or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work.  

Substantive legal work shall mean work requiring recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts.

Membership qualifications shall not exclude or discriminate because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or physical handicaps.  However, any person who is incarcerated at the time of application, who has been disbarred from the practice of law, or who has been convicted of a felony is not eligible for membership.  

Please review the following terms and conditions for membership in the Vermont Paralegal Organization:

1. Discussion Forums:  Upon Membership, I agree to subscribe to the VPO General Forum and the VPO Members Only Forum to communicate with other members of the VPO.  I understand that I can post a question or suggestion on the VPO Members Only Forum and it will be available to VPO members subscribed to the Forum for response.  I also understand that public notifications from the VPO will be posted to the General Forum.  I understand that I must subscribe to these Forums in order to receive communications from the VPO, as well as for the continuation of membership benefits such as the newsletter and employment opportunity announcements.  Instructions for subscribing to the forums are available here.
2. Membership Dues:  Membership in the VPO is based on a yearly basis.  Membership is activated for new members and renewal of current members as of the date of receipt of the dues payment.  Other than in the case of an error in the dues payment, membership dues are non-refundable and non-transferable.
3. Employer Affidavit:  I agree that if I am applying for voting membership under criteria (3), (6) or (8), I am required to file an employment affidavit stating that 60% of the work performed is substantive legal work.  The employment affidavit can be found by clicking here or it can be found on the membership page of the VPO website. 
4. Supervising Attorney Affidavit:  I agree that if I am a freelance / independent paralegal applying for membership, I am required to submit written verification from a supervising attorney that I have performed substantive legal work in the past 90 days.  The supervising attorney affidavit can be found by clicking here or it can be found on the membership page of the VPO website.
5. Certifications:  I agree that if I am a certified paralegal, I will provide the VPO with verification of my certification, renewals, and maintenance of any certification designation.
6. Membership Directory:  I agree to have only my name, work county, and practice areas published on the Membership Directory.
7. As a member of the VPO, I understand that I am automatically a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA), and that I am bound by any code of ethics set forth by NFPA.  Corporate Sustaining members are not eligible for membership in NFPA  and therefore do not receive any NFPA benefits.  
8. I understand that I am expected to read and abide by the VPO Amended and Restated Model Rules of Ethics and Professional Responsibility which can be viewed on the VPO's website.  I understand that membership status is subject to review by the Board of Directors.
9. I hereby apply for membership in the Vermont Paralegal Organization and certify that the information contained in my application/renewal is true and correct. 
10. I agree to be bound by the Model Code of Ethics for traditional and non-traditional paralegals adopted by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc., the Vermont Paralegal Organization, and the Bylaws of the Vermont Paralegal Organization.  
11. I agree to give consent to the Vermont Paralegal Organization Board of Directors to contact my present and/or former supervising attorney(s) for verification or clarification of my qualifications for membership.