Our Beginning

Houston Paralegal Association (HPA) begin as an idea among several NALA-certified paralegals in the Houston area who felt that their professional needs were not being met by the local paralegal associations. Those paralegals, including Ruth Silva [Conley], Rannie Kelly, Barbara Howell, Sheilah Taylor, Lu Poole, Patti Gunning and Adele Spivey began networking with other paralegals about forming a new paralegal association dedicated to providing affordable continuing legal education and networking opportunities.

In July 1999, these paralegals scheduled a meeting, held at Birraporetti’s Restaurant in downtown Houston, with the intent to form a paralegal association that was sponsored by Firehouse Records Company. The group was small, but the enthusiasm was gigantic. In August, a meeting was held to adopt bylaws and to officially elect officers. That meeting, held at Massas Restaurant, was sponsored by IKON Documents, which not only paid for the dinner but brought champagne for the special occasion.  HPA decided to not assert affiliation with a national paralegal association at that time and to spend the next couple of years growing the association. Officers elected were: Ruth Silva [Conley], President; Rannie Kelly, 1st Vice President (Programs); Sue Smith, 2nd Vice President (Membership); Lenore Millspaugh, Recording Secretary; Sheilah Taylor, Public Relations; Patti Gunning, Parliamentarian, and Lu Poole, Historian. Later, Nancy Turner was added as Treasurer.

The first official HPA Board meeting was held in November, 1999. In addition to minor revisions to the bylaws, officers voted on several projects, including a seminar which would award CLE credits and a charity event which would be held in conjunction with a Holiday social in December.

About HPA

Since that time, HPA has grown into the leading paralegal association in the Greater Houston area.  In October 2004, HPA was the first Houston paralegal association to be affiliated with the National Association of Legal Assistants/Paralegals. HPA members have held positions on various NALA Committees and five HPA Presidents were chosen to participate in LEAP, NALA's leadership training program that was offered from 2007 - 2014. 

HPA has the most affordable membership fees of any local paralegal association and has only raised membership fees once in its 20-plus year history.

HPA offers free CLE opportunities every month and hosts a CLE Conference in Galveston every Spring. We also provide multiple opportunities to network with legal professionals. HPA holds four themed networking socials per year, in February (Go Texan Social), April (CLE Conference Social), June (Summer Social), and December (Holiday Social). In 2023, HPA began holding monthly networking socials at restaurants/bars around the city to meet and mingle with our members and other legal professionals.

HPA is proud of its strong relationship with NALA and sends representatives to attend the NALA conference every year. Several HPA members have served on NALA committees and NALA's Executive Board.  HPA was invited to speak at the NALA Affiliates Annual meeting in 2018, 2021, and 2023.

HPA strives to assist paralegals reach their certification goals. We hold a yearly CP Exam Study Group/Review course that is open to all paralegals across the state.

Our Presidents