March - April 2012March - April 2012

On Friday, June 15, 2012, the Washington Supreme Court authorized the Limited License Legal Technician Rule, as proposed by the Practice of Law Board.  The new rule will become effective September 1, 2012.  This truly is an amazing accomplishment and a great victory for paralegals and the citizens of Washington State. (See the Court's Order and the new Rule here.)

The Court has long recognized that not only low income but also moderate income people cannot afford traditional legal service providers, and thus go without any legal guidance in dealing with their many legal issues.  Under the Court's newly signed order, limited license legal technicians ("LLLT's") will be authorized to engage in discreet legal and law related activities.  It is anticipated that LLLT's may help fill in the gap of those needing help with relatively uncomplicated legal matters, but will not be permitted to represent clients in court nor negotiate with opposing parties on a client's behalf, activities that will still require engaging a traditional attorney.

WSPA applauds the court for its visionary action, and for recognizing that limited licensing of legal technicians compliments the efforts of the State Bar to assist low income individuals through the Bar's own Moderate Means program.  LLLT's will operate in a carefully crafted regulatory framework with rigorous educational,testing, contracting, and disclosure requirements that will protect the public.  It is anticipated that some paralegals currently working in traditional legal settings may  seek to become LLLT's and start their own businesses delivering certain legal services directly to the public.  It may well be though that the costs of establishing and maintaining a practice under the new rule will require LLLT's to charge rates close to that of attorneys.  As the court notes, there simply is now way to know the answer to the question without trying it.

With this rule, Washington State has taken the lead in innovative and cutting edge solutions to meet unmet civil legal needs.  We hope that other states will quickly follow Washington's actions, and implement their own Admission to Practice Rules too!