IN REGARDS TO THE TWO ARTICLES INCLUDED BELOW, I INCLUDED ALL

IN REGARDS TO THE TWO ARTICLES INCLUDED BELOW, I INCLUDED ALL

IN REGARDS TO THE TWO ARTICLES INCLUDED BELOW, I INCLUDED ALL THE

INFORMATION NEEDED, Share your thoughts on Washington State’s recent move to end the LLLT program in the state. While other organizations in the state seek to take over the LLLT program, many professionals around the country are disappointed to see any pause or disruption. What are your thoughts on this? How does this compare to the newly proposed Minnesota program? What are your thoughts on the Minnesota program, per the article?

ARTICLE ONE:

UTAH COURTS

The Utah Judiciary is committed to the open, fair, and efficient administration of justice under the law. Find important information on what about your case and where to find help on our Alerts and Information Page due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Licensed Paralegal Practitioner
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Program Overview

Rule 14-802 of the Rules Governing the Utah State Bar creates an exception to the authorization to practice law for an LPP. The exception permits an LPP to assist a client only in the practice areas for which the LPP is licensed. The rule limits an LPP’s possible practice areas to:

-Specific family law matters, such as temporary separation, divorce, parentage, cohabitant abuse, civil stalking, custody and support, or name change;
-Forcible entry and detainer; and
-Debt collection matters in which the dollar amount at issue does not exceed the statutory limit for small claims cases.Rule 14-802 also enumerates permissible actions for LPPs within the practice areas. Under this rule, an LPP may:

-Enter into a contractual relationship with a natural person (LPPs cannot represent corporations);
-Interview a client to determine the client’s needs and goals;
-Assist a client with completing approved forms and obtaining documents to support those forms;
-Review documents of another party and explain those documents to a client;
-Inform, counsel, assist and advocate for a client in a mediated negotiation;
-Complete settlement agreement, sign the form and serve the written settlement agreement;
-Communicate with another party or the party’s representative regarding the relevant forms and matters; and
-Explain to a client the court’s order and how it affects the client’s rights and obligations.It is important to note that an LPP may not appear in court and may not charge contingency fees. They may, however, own their own firms, own a non-controlling equity interest in a firm with attorneys, and use the courts’ e-filing systems. There will be no pro hac vice admissions and no reciprocal licensing, at least for the time being. They will be required to have trust accounts, and will have the obligation to provide pro bono services.
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Required Qualifications and Education
Rules Governing Licensed Paralegal Practitioner (“RGLPP”) 15-703 establishes the education and training requirements for an LPP. An LPP applicant must have one of the following:

-A degree in law from an accredited law school;
-An Associate degree in paralegal studies from an accredited school;
-A Bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies from an accredited school;
-A Master’s Degree in legal studies or equivalent that is offered through an Approved Law School; or
-Obtained either the Certified Paralegal (CP or CLA) credential from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA); the Professional Paralegal (PP) credential from the National Association of Legal Professionals (NALS); or the Registered Paralegal (RP) credential from the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).In addition to those degree requirements, an applicant is required to:

-Complete 1,500 hours of substantive law-related experience within the 3 years prior to the application. These hours must include:
-500 hours of substantive law-related experience in family law if the applicant want to practice in that area; or
-100 hours of substantive law related experience in debt collection or forcible entry and detainer if the applicant wants to be licensed in those areas;
-Pass a professional ethics examination.
-Pass a Licensed Paralegal Practitioner Examination for each practice area for which the applicant seeks to practice.However, there is also a provision (RGLPP 15-705) allowing the Bar to waive some of the minimum education requirements for the limited time of 3 years from the date the Bar initially begins to accept LPP licensure applications. These waivers may be granted if an applicant demonstrates that he or she has completed seven years of full-time substantive law-related experience as a paralegal within the previous ten years.
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Required Classes

-All classes will be offered through continuing education at Utah Valley University. Curriculum is currently being developed and we hope to offer all classes online.
-ETHICS CLASS – All applicants, including those with a law degree, will be required to take this class.
-DEBT COLLECTION CLASS – Required for all applicants applying to practice in debt collection (law degree exempt)
-FAMILY LAW CLASS – Required for all applicants applying to practice in family law (law degree exempt)
-LANDLORD/TENANT CLASS – Required for all applicants applying to practice in landlord/tenant (law degree exempt) Return to Top
Program Timeline

-NOVEMBER 1, 2018 – Rules to be approved by the Court and enacted
-JANUARY, 2019 – First classes available through UVU
-SPRING 2019 – Applications accepted
-SPRING 2019 – Exams offered (through testing centers) Return to Top
Frequently Asked Questions
How Did the Utah Supreme Court and the Utah State Bar Develop the LPP Program?
The idea to create market based solution for the unmet needs of litigants started with a task force created by the Utah Supreme Court in May 2015. The recommendations of that task force were then assigned to the LPP Steering Committee which has met frequently over the past year. The LPP Steering Committee’s composition is broad, including judges from the trial and appellate courts, practitioners in each of the substantive law areas in which an LPP may practice, paralegals, representatives of colleges and universities with legal studies programs, the Dean of the University of Utah law school and a representative from BYU law school, a former state senator, a consumer protection representative, Utah State Bar staff, and several public members. The LPP Steering Committee created working groups to develop education criteria, licensing requirements and rules of professional conduct. The working groups also met frequently over the last year and involved various stakeholders who could help with each group’s specific task. The LPP Steering Committee’s work has been deliberative and subject to approval by the Utah Supreme Court and the Judicial Council.
Who Will Administer This New Profession?
LPPs will be officers of the court and practice law. Pursuant to authority delegated from the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah State Bar will administer all aspects of the new profession, including admissions, license renewal, and monitoring compliance with continuing legal education requirements. Bar assistance programs, such as fee arbitration and Lawyers Helping Lawyers, will be available to LPPs. At its most recent Board of Bar Commissioners meeting, the Utah State Bar formally agreed to include in its budget the cost of administering the LPP program.
Are LPPs Subject to Ethical Standards and Discipline?
Yes. The Utah Supreme Court has adopted Licensed Paralegal Practitioner Rules of Professional Conduct which provide ethical obligations for LPPs and establish Rules of LPP Discipline and Disability as well as standards for imposing discipline similar to those which govern attorneys. The Office of Professional Conduct will investigate and, if necessary, prosecute complaints against LPPs, and the rules make them subject to potential discipline.
Is There a Market for LPPs?
Yes. Utah undeniably has a need for more accessible legal representation. The Utah Bar’s recent survey indicates that people are often interested in self-representation with some support from a legal practitioner. The limited scope of legal services provided by an LPP is one viable solution to this issue. It’s also clear that there is a strong interest among paralegals to pursue this licensing option. In a recent survey conducted by the Utah Supreme Court’s LPP Steering Committee, more than 200 paralegals expressed an interest in getting licensed as an LPP. The majority were interested in establishing an LPP practice within a law firm, while about a third were interested in starting an independent LPP firm.
ARTICLE TWO:

Affordable Legal Services in Family Law by a Legal Technician
A limited license legal technician, also known as a legal technician or a LLLT, is licensed by the Washington Supreme Court to advise and assist people going through divorce, child custody, and other family law matters in Washington.
Legal technicians provide limited legal services in family law by consulting with and advising clients, completing and filing necessary court documents, and assisting pro se clients at certain types of hearings and settlement conferences. They also help with court scheduling and support clients in navigating the legal system. LLLTs are well trained, experienced, and competent licensed legal professionals who may be able to provide you with the legal help you need. If you cannot afford a lawyer, a legal technician might be an affordable option for your family law matter.
Search the WSBA legal directory for a LLLT near you.
Get a Legal Technician License
On June 4, 2020, the Washington Supreme Court decided to sunset the LLLT program. Because of this decision, no LLLT licenses will be issued after July 31, 2022. In order to qualify for a LLLT license you must already be enrolled in or have completed the LLLT family law courses. If so, find out how to meet the deadlines for your LLLT license, including education, examination and experience requirements.
The LLLT Board
The Limited License Legal Technician Board is responsible for developing and recommending to the Washington Supreme Court general policy for the LLLT license.
Rules and Regulations
APR 28
LLLT Rules of Professional Conduct
LLLT Supplemental Education
As permitted by Appendix APR 23 Regulation 3C, the LLLT Board is requiring all LLLTs to complete supplemental education. LLLTs who did not have the supplemental education included in their family law courses must complete the supplemental education by February 1, 2021 in order to maintain their LLLT license. Contact WSBA staff at L..T@wsba.org with any questions or for information on how to complete the education.