Welcome to RIPA

The Rhode Island Paralegal Association is the official organization for legal support professionals from across the Ocean State.  This website has been created to help you navigate all RIPA has to offer - paralegal job postings, networking and educational events, helpful colleagues from a plethora of practice areas, and so much more.

Our New Year Starts July 1st!​
Now Accepting
New or Prior Member Applications for the 2017-2018 Year!

Special thanks to all who helped make our 2017 Annual Dinner a success! 

Pictured below from left to right:
Ashley Aguiar, Pat Lyons and Danielle Smith
MEET THE BOARD!

Melanie Catineault, President
Program Policies & Issues
Ashley Miner, Vice President
Merrilee Welling, Treasurer 
Victoria Catalano, Secretary 
Publications
Patricia Lyons, Board Member
Membership Policies & Issues
Ashley Aguiar, Board Member
Education & Web Master

Photo Below: RIPA 2016 Annual Dinner Meeting
Board Members, Deb, Ashley, Melanie, Linda, Pat & Carol
Posted July 26, 2017


Our next board meeting:
To be determined at tonight's 1st Board Meeting.
Are you a Paralegal Studies Student?  
We offer
Student Membership Prices!
Click the button below to apply.
Calling All Recent Paralegal Studies Graduates!
Did you know that by becoming a RIPA Student Member you will have access to our password protected job bank?  
Just another great reason to join!
Job Bank

June 2017
  • June 27, 2017-Real Estate Paralegal & Finance Paralegal -Offices in Boston & Providence​
  • General Litigation Paralegal- Providence

​May 2017 
  • ​Contracts/Litigation/ Corporate Paralegal -West Warwick
April 2017 
  • ​ Litigation Paralegal for Judicial Foreclosure-Pawtucket
  •  Foreclosure Paralegal -Pawtucket

 Join our group on LinkedIn

REASONS TO JOIN RIPA:

What Is a Paralegal?

As defined by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, a paralegal is a person, 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.  For example, work requiring recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts.

This person may be retained or employed by a lawyer, law office, governmental agency or other entity or may be authorized by administrative, statutory or court authority to perform this work.

RIPA and NFPA - over 30 years of membership

NFPA Logo
Since 1982, RIPA has been a voting member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).  

For more information about the NFPA, please visit paralegals.org.
Photos from our 2015 Annual Dinner
RIPA Annual Dinner Meeting - 2015