Paralegals: Regulations and Licensing

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Recommended: Paralegal in the legal system

Paralegals are employed in a wide variety of legal settings and play an ever-increasing role in the delivery of affordable and efficient legal services. However, regulation of paralegals has been non-existent or inconsistent, though the topic continues to be a significant issue. Across the country, paralegals advocate bar associations, state legislatures and courts to consider regulatory programs that go beyond merely defining the term "Paralegal." Federally required licensing of paralegals would benefit future growth and development of the career field and address the controversial issues surrounding it.

Paralegals are continuing to assume new responsibilities in legal offices and perform many of the same duties as attorneys. Through formal education, training and experience, paralegals have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system and law procedures, which qualify them to work under the supervision of an attorney. Along with preparing legal documents, contracts and other legal materials, a paralegal can also interview witnesses, and conducting legal research. The most important task a paralegal may have is helping an attorney prepare for hearings, trials, and meetings. Although a paralegal is trained to perform the same tasks as attorneys, they are explicitly prohibited from carrying out duties considered to be within the scope of the practice of law, such as setting legal fees, giving legal advice, submitting signed documents to court, and presenting cases in court. Paralegals are an essential part of today’s legal practice; furthermore, a competent paralegal can improve a law office’s profitability and the delivery of legal services. With these new responsibilities comes a higher level of demand and respect. In turn...

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...ttp://www.nhbar.org/publications/archives/display-journal-issue.asp?id=148

Robert E. Mongue, J. A. (2010, July 19). The Empowered Paralegal » Blog Archive » If he smells bad there, he’ll smell bad here.. The Empowered Paralegal. Retrieved April 17, 2011, from http://theempoweredparalegal.com/?p=1202

Durgin, C. R. (n.d.). Getting legal with paralegals: A look at state regulations. American Bar Association. Retrieved April 17, 2011, from http://apps.americanbar.org/buslaw/blt/2007-01-02/durgin.shtml

Vicki Voisin, CLAS, P. N. (1998, December 14). Issues Related to Licensure and Governmental Regulations of Paralegals. Issues Related to Licensure. Retrieved April 17, 2011, from www.nala.org/licissues.htm

Paralegals ask to be Bar licensed and regulated. (2010, September 13). The Florida Bar News , p. n/a.

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