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Institute for the Advancement
of the American Legal System
University of Denver
The Allied Legal Professionals Project, spearheaded by IAALS (Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System), is an ambitious initiative focused on standardizing and expanding successful legal paraprofessional programs across the nation.
Objectives:
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IAALS aims to deepen knowledge about existing and proposed legal paraprofessional programs in the United States and abroad, exploring their benefits and challenges.
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Based on comprehensive research and best practices, IAALS has created a nationwide model for Allied Legal Professionals, ready for implementation in states across the country.
At the NC Justice for All Project, we have been actively involved with IAALS, closely monitoring regulatory reforms in various states. Our co-founder, Alicia Mitchell-Mercer, has participated in convenings and contributed to the publications below on licensing Allied Legal Professionals, also known as licensed paraprofessionals or licensed legal practitioners.
For those keen on staying informed about the advancements in other states, we highly recommend visiting the IAALS website for more in-depth information. This resource offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of legal services and the role of allied legal professionals in shaping a more accessible justice system.
State Activity Concerning Limited Licensing
WHAT HAPPENED IN
WASHINGTON STATE?
While JFAP is not interested in talebearing, we understand that the legal community has made certain assumptions about the reason behind the sunsetting of Washington’s Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) program. Our proposal addresses this issue more thoroughly (See pp. 17-32). The LLLT program painstakingly brought to fruition in 2012 was abruptly sunset after attorneys in Washington launched intense opposition to the proposed expansion of the program in 2018.
On paper, the program was sunset because it was not financially feasible to continue it due to the low number of applicants who sought to be licensed. However, the LLLT program's leadership has shared with JFAP that increasing opposition from members of the State Bar and high barriers to entering the program, which discouraged applicants from applying, were primary factors. The program was not sunset because of public harm. In fact, in 2017, Thomas M. Clarke, of the National Center for State Courts, and Rebecca L. Sandefur, of the American Bar Foundation authored a report calling the program a success. We can learn from Washington's mistakes while still moving forward with a program that meets the legal needs of North Carolinians.