2026 MPA Awards Nomination
Award Categories:
Please review the categories below, as well as the eligiblity criteria, before submitting your nomination form.
Outstanding Paralegal Newcomer Award
This award recognizes an individual member who is a new paralegal and exhibits the delivery of quality legal services to the legal community. Less than 5 years of experience in the paralegal profession.
Outstanding Paralegal Award
This award recognizes an individual whose on-the-job achievements have significant contributions to the paralegal profession, his or her employer, and colleagues.
Barbara Peppersack Lifetime Service Award
This award recognizes an individual member, who has been a member of the MPA for at least 15 years, and has made significant contributions to MPA, NFPA, and the paralegal profession through volunteering, mentoring, and promoting the paralegal profession.
Tina M. Johnson Legal Service Impact Award
This award honors a paralegal (minimum of 8 years in the profession) whose dedication to their peers and community sets a powerful example for the profession. Named for Tina’s unwavering commitment and compassionate leadership, promotion of certification and paralegal education, this award recognizes individuals who actively mentor, volunteer, and inspire those around them. Recipients embody humility, heart, and a genuine desire to give back – creating lasting, positive change in the legal industry and uplifting both colleagues and the wider community.
Eligibility Criteria:
The candidate must be a member of the MPA. The nomination must be on the official nomination form. Paralegals may nominate another member or submit a self-nomination. Nominations from attorneys and law firm administrators will also be accepted. Candidates must be a voting, student, or associate member of the MPA, in good standing. (Vendors, full-time paralegal educators, or lawyers may not be nominated, but may submit nominations for others, providing that the nominee is a voting, student, or associate member of the MPA in good standing.) General criteria are set forth below: A. Dedication to the paralegal profession; B. Service to the legal community; C. Leadership skills; D. Participation within the MPA and/or NFPA; and E. Demonstrating a positive and progressive attitude toward paralegal development.
Nominee Information:
Nominee Name
*
Nominee Phone Number
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Please enter a valid phone number.
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Nominee E-mail
*
example@example.com
Nominee Address
*
Nominee’s Years of Experience as a Paralegal
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Less than 5 years
Five (5) years or more
Eight (8) years or more
Fifteen (15) years or more
Nominator Information
Nominated by
*
Nominator phone
*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Nominator e-mail
*
example@example.com
Nominator address
*
Nomination Questions
For which award are you nominating this individual?
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Outstanding Newcomer Award
Outstanding Paralegal Award
Barbara Peppersack Lifetime Service Award
Tina M. Johnson Legal Service Impact Award
Please describe in a few sentences how the nominee exemplifies the MPA values listed below:
Dedication to the Paralegal Profession
(years as a paralegal, areas of law practiced, professional achievements)
Service to the Legal Community
(list pro bono work and any other community involvement)
Leadership Skills
(list positions held, awards, speeches/presentations made, mentoring)
Participation in MPA and/or NFPA
(list MPA and/or NFPA involvement)
Positive and Progressive Attitude Toward Paralegal Professional Development
Lasting Legacy to the Paralegal Profession (Barbara Peppersack Lifetime Service Award only)
Describe the candidate’s experience regarding paralegal mentorship, volunteerism and certification programs and how the candidate’s contributions impacted such programs. (Tina M. Johnson Award only)
Why Is This Person the Best Possible Nominee for This Award?
Please include any and all applicable supporting materials, in one PDF/Word doc such as: a) Clippings from newspaper, professional publications,etc.; b) Copies of certificates, awards and honors; c) Letter of reference from a legal professional; and/or d) Any other materials you deem necessary.
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