Rules for Disciplinary Complaints

Disciplinary Complaints

The Certified Paralegal credential may be suspended or revoked if it is found the Certified Paralegal has:

1. Falsified information on application form.
2. Been convicted of the unauthorized practice of law since receiving the Certified Paralegal credential.
3. Failed to meet continuing legal education requirements as required by the Certifying Board.
4. Divulged the contents of any examination question.
5. Been convicted of a felony since receiving the Certified Paralegal credential
6. Violated the NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
7. Violated the “Terms and Conditions of Testing.”

Filing a Complaint

If a NALA member, Certified Paralegal, non-member paralegal, member of the public, an attorney or employer believes that a Certified Paralegal has been convicted of a felony or violated any of these standards, the individual should contact NALA Headquarters in writing.  Such communication should be marked “Confidential.” The information provided should include documents which substantiate any claim of conviction or improper behavior.

Revocation Based on Failure to Meet CLE Requirements

Procedures for appeal of revocation of the Certified Paralegal credential based on failure to meet the Continuing Legal Education requirements of the Certifying Board may be found by clicking here.

This document establishes the procedures that the NALA Certifying Board (the "Board") will follow in investigating and taking action on:

• any charge of violation of any attestation signed in connection with application or recertification for the Certified Paralegal designation
• a charge of violation of the NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
• violation of the “Terms and Conditions of Testing” during the examination

The purpose of these rules is to assure that such charges are investigated fully and resolved fairly, consistent with the integrity of the Certified Paralegal program.

Response to a Complaint

Threshold Inquiry

Investigation

Otherwise, the Board shall investigate the charge as follows.  The Board may act by committee, provided that the chairman shall be a member of the committee. The committee shall be composed of a minimum of three members of the Certifying Board, to include a paralegal educator, an attorney, and  a Certified Paralegal. Each member of the Investigation Committee shall have served a minimum of one year on the Certifying Board.

Notice to Respondent
The Board will first notify each Certified Paralegal who might be subject to discipline if the charge proves to be true. The notice will be by regular mail to the last known address and will:

• describe the charge,
• invite the Certified Paralegal to file a written response making full and complete disclosure of all information pertinent to the charge within the knowledge of the Certified Paralegal,
• describe the time within which the response should be submitted, and
• enclose a copy of these rules.

Method of Investigation
The Board will then conduct the investigation by such methods as it considers necessary or appropriate, including personal interviews and review of documents. It is the obligation of the Certified Paralegal to cooperate with such an investigation.

The Certified Paralegal is entitled to know the identity of the charging party, to see all evidence that is considered by the Board, and to submit written evidence and argument in response thereto.

Personal Appearance
If in its sole discretion the Board believes that a personal appearance would materially aid the investigation, it shall offer the Certified Paralegal an opportunity to appear and present evidence and argument in person. The Board shall determine the time and place and set such rules as it deems appropriate in the circumstances.   The Certified Paralegal will bear his or her own costs of attendance.

Presumption of Innocence
No adverse inference shall be drawn from the failure or refusal of the Certified Paralegal to cooperate with the investigation.

Board Action

The Board will consider the results of the investigation. It may but need not schedule a special meeting for this purpose.

Findings of Fact
The Board will identify the material facts disclosed by the investigation, making such inferences and credibility determinations as are necessary.

Conclusions
Based on its findings, the Board will decide whether or not there has been a violation of any attestation signed in connection with application for the Certified Paralegal designation, specifically the NALA Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility, or the terms and conditions of testing.

Discipline
In determining discipline, the Board will take into account such factors as it deems appropriate, which may include:

• whether the offense was deliberate or inadvertent,
• what notice the Certified Paralegal had of the appropriate standard of conduct,
• the effect of the offense on the integrity of the Certified Paralegal program,
• the effect of the offense on the reputation of Certified Paralegal program, and
• whether the Certified Paralegal is a repeat offender.

Notice to Respondent
The Board will notify the Certified Paralegal in writing of its findings, conclusions and the discipline imposed within 30 days of the date of the Board’s decision.

Recusal
No member of the Board will participate in the investigation or resolution of any charge in which he or she has a personal interest.

Emergency Action
In extraordinary circumstances which pose a threat of irreparable harm to the Certified Paralegal program, the chair of the Board may take such emergency action as is necessary to preserve the integrity of the Certified Paralegal program before the Board has an opportunity to consider the matter. Such action may include barring an applicant from sitting for the Certified Paralegal examination. The Board will consider the matter de novo at the earliest opportunity.

Confidentiality
Except as necessary to conduct the investigation, the Board will not reveal the existence of an investigation.

After concluding an investigation that results in disciplinary action, the Board will notify the NALA staff of the identity of the individual and the discipline imposed to the minimum extent necessary to implement the discipline.

After concluding an investigation that results in disciplinary action, the Board may also prepare a brief written summary of the conduct that resulted in discipline and the discipline imposed, without revealing the name of the respondent, which summary may be published in an official publication of NALA for the guidance of the membership.