The Legal Project Associate™ (LPA) certification recognises a person with introductory knowledge about Legal Project Management and has the ability to either support legal matters or work in the legal matter project team (i.e., a legal project team member – not the legal project manager).
To apply for the LPA certification, an applicant is required to have completed either: the 2 day IILPM ‘Applied Legal Project Management’ course delivered by an IILPM Accredited Training Provider; or the online IILPM ‘Applied Legal Project Management’ course.
The LPA certification is a pathway for those starting in the legal profession or new to legal project management.
The LPA certification is not a prerequisite for the LPP, and the candidate can later continue their training to gain the LPP certification once they have met the LPP workplace prerequisites, requiring the completion of an upgrade course.
The cost of certification application is US$147 after meeting the educational requirements.
More About the Legal Project Associate (LPA) Certification
Who is the LPA Certification For?
The Legal Project Associate or LPA is a trademark and certification of the International Institute of Legal Project Management. It is designed for people working in legal teams or supporting legal matters.
Is it only for Lawyers?
There are many non-lawyer roles in legal teams, therefore the certification is not just for lawyers. Those holding the certification include lawyers, para-legals, law students, legal consultants and practice managers.
Is there a Periodic Re-certification?
It is the Institute’s base certification, and once achieved you keep it for life.
You may choose to later upgrade with further training to the Legal Project Practitioner (LPP).
Is there Any Work-based Experience Required?
There is no work experience prerequisites for this certification, so it helps those not working in the legal profession to at least gain some knowledge and credentials in preparation for working in legal projects.
What are the Educational Prerequisites?
There are three options (you only need one):
1. Complete the 2 day face-to-face ‘Applied Project Management’ training with an IILPM Accredited Training Organisation;
2. Complete the IILPM online ‘Applied Legal Project Management’ course and get an 80% or greater score in the simple multiple choice assessment (part of the course); or
3. Apply for Recognised Prior Learning from completing another legal project management course that would be comparable (pending assessment by the IILPM).
Is the Online Assessment Difficult?
No. It is a simple multiple choice questionnaire that you can repeat until you receive 80% or more. It relates directly to the online training content.
How do I achieve the LPA?
Once completing the ‘Applied Project Management’ training you have met the Educational Pre-requisites, you simply complete the LPA Application.
How much does the LPA application cost?
Once meeting the Educational Pre-requisites, the cost of gaining the LPA certification is US$147.
A hardcopy of the certification certificate costs an additional US$38.
Who Issues the LPA?
The International Institute of Legal Project Management issues the LPA.
The certification is issued electronically, however you can for US$38 receive it in hardcopy. The hardcopy version comes in a folder in the mail with the:
1. Welcome letter from the IILPM Chairman; and
2. LPA Certification certificate with the gold IILPM seal.
How can I promote myself with the LPA certification?
Certified LPA graduates can use the LPA post-nominal next to their name (on social media, business cards, websites, presentations, reports etc), and refer to themselves as a certified Legal Project Associate.
Certified LPA graduates may also use the certification logo to identify themselves.
What then?
As an LPA graduate you can join our online resources and continue to get ongoing professional development through articles, podcasts, videos and templates.
LPA graduates are already on their way to the Legal Project Practitioner (LPP) certification, or a Diploma of Project Management and can continue the training, however must also meet the workplace evidence requirements. There is an upgrade course pathway to complete the ‘Advanced Legal Project Management’ course.