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IPA: Paving the Path for Illinois Paralegals Since 1972

During 1971, paralegals in the Chicago area began meeting informally to discuss developments related to the legal profession. In November of 1972, bylaws were adopted and the first officers of the Chicago Association of Paralegal Assistants (CAPA) were elected. On September 28, 1973, CAPA was incorporated as an Illinois not for profit corporation, and was subsequently qualified as an exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(6). Since CAPA members were located throughout the state, CAPA amended its name to the Illinois Paralegal Association in January of 1976.

The purposes of the IPA are:

to promote communication among members of the paralegal profession, the legal community, civic and professional organizations;

to encourage and provide for the continuing education of paralegals;

to inform members of developments in the paralegal profession; and

to promote the paralegal profession.