THE LOS ANGELES PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION LAPA IS DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING, STRENGTHENING, AND ADVANCING THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION. LAPA WAS FORMED IN 1972 BY LOCAL PARALEGALS IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING NEED FOR AN ORGANIZED PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION THROUGHOUT THE GREATER LOS ANGELES METROPOLITAN AREA. LAPA WAS INCORPORATED IN 1977 AS A CALIFORNIA NON-PROFIT CORPORATION AND IS GOVERNED BY AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTE AND A BOARD OF DIRECTORS. LAPA PROVIDES NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND PRO BONO ACTIVITIES FOR PARALEGALS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY. LAPA BUILDS COMMUNICATION BRIDGES WITH OTHER PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MAINTAINS A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH LOCAL AND STATE BAR ASSOCIATIONS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND BUSINESSES SERVING THE LEGAL COMMUNITY. LAPA ALSO IS AN ACIVE PARTICIPANT AND ADVOCATE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LEGAL ASSISTANTS.