Dallas Area Paralegal Association
2026
DAPA’s Golden Anniversary: A Legacy of Leadership, A Future of Possibility
By: Michele Boerder and Ariel Aguayo
www.dallasparalegals.org
As DAPA’s half-century anniversary approaches, we begin our year-long celebration! A celebration that will culminate in DAPA’s 50th Anniversary Gala, to be held on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at the elegant Highland Hotel. This signature event will honor our history, recognize our members and sponsors, and toast to the next 50 years of excellence.
In 1976, a group of paralegals met in Dallas to establish the first paralegal association in the Dallas area. It was then named the Dallas Association of Legal Assistants (“DALA”).
Twelve paralegals fostered the original idea of a Dallas association for paralegals. By the first organization meeting on October 23, 1976, DALA had grown to 25 members. Over 70 people attended the November 1976 meeting.
June C. Tilley served as DALA’s first president. Tilley worked for what was then Locke, Purnell, Boren, Laney & Neely.
The Association was formed with the following purposes:
Promote the professional objectives and goals of paralegals;
Encourage, promote and conduct programs of continuing legal education and professional development;
Adopt codes of ethics and standards of conduct governing its members; and
Promote the advancement of professionalism for paralegals.
In 1977, the Dallas Bar Foundation acquired the Alfred Horatio Belo House Mansion (now known as the Arts District Mansion) in downtown Dallas to become the Dallas Bar Headquarters. The Dallas Bar used the mansion to hold continuing education and Bar meetings. The facility was made available for paralegal meetings as well as attorney meetings. DAPA has held numerous general membership meetings, section meetings, CLE programs and committee meetings at the Dallas Bar headquarters.
In 1978, DALA joined the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (“NFPA”). Several DAPA members became NFPA presidents and board members. For example:
2000 DAPA President S. Kristine Farmer became NFPA’s Unauthorized Practice of Law Research Coordinator from 2000-2003, Director of Positions & Issues from 2003-2005, President from 2005-06, Marketing Coordinator from 2006-07, Legislative Coordinator from 2008-10, Leadership Coordinator from 2012-13, and ABA Approval Commission Representative from 2013-16.
2014 DAPA President Lisa Lynch became NFPA’s Membership Growth Coordinator from 2014-15, Director of Marketing from 2015‑19, Region II Director from 2019-2022, and NFPA President from 2021-2022 (completing the term of Lori Boris).
In 1997 and 2014, DAPA hosted the NFPA’s national convention.
In 2016, DAPA won the NFPA’s Pro Bono Association Award for the third year in a row.
DAPA left the NFPA effective December 31, 2024.
In 1982, the State Bar of Texas created the Legal Assistant Division, which is now known as the Paralegal Division. Many DAPA leaders matriculated to board members of the Division over the years, including DAPA’s Presidents who later became Paralegal Division Presidents:
Cindy Mankus (DAPA President 1983-84)
Michele Boerder (DAPA President 1988-89)
Debbie Oaks McBride (DAPA President 1996-97)
Kristine Farmer (DAPA President 2000).
Also in 1982, Dallas hosted and started the first Texas Alliance of Paralegal Associations (“TAPA”) meeting. It was held at a Dallas law firm and organized by DAPA President Mary “Z.” Locke Lewis. TAPA is a meeting of Texas paralegal association leaders, and has continued every year since 1982, with local associations alternating as host sites.
DAPA’s Newsletter is called On the Record which began in approximately 1982. Initially published and mailed to members, it became an online periodical when DAPA began its website, www.dallasparalegals.org.
In October 1996, the Association’s members voted to change the name to the Dallas Area Paralegal Association (“DAPA”).
Some of DAPA’s programs and projects have included annual Career Day, New Member Orientations, Sustaining Member Expos, and pro bono initiatives with the Dallas Young Lawyers Association. In 2017, DAPA named its Mentor-Protégé Program after Wendy Atwood Rogers, who died on December 31, 2016.
DAPA has emphasized continuing education since its inception, transitioning to numerous online “Zoom” presentations in many different substantive areas of law, and strives to assist new paralegals and paralegal students as they enter the profession. Culminating in our Anniversary theme: Five Decades of Integrity, Advocacy, and Service
We look forward to our “Golden Anniversary” year!
1Now Troutman Pepper Locke
2National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Past and Present Board Members and Coordinators (accessed Dec. 19, 2025), https://www.paralegals.org/page/past-present-board-members-coordinators.
3NFPA 2014 Annual Convention and 40th Anniversary – Frequently Asked Questions, https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.paralegals.org/resource/resmgr/files/migration/1/2014_nfpa_convention_faqs_up.pdf.
4Prior to DAPA converting to a calendar year
5the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for
virtual meetings when the ability to meet in-person was not available
