NCJ Number
52868
Journal
Florida Bar Journal Volume: 48 Issue: 742 Dated: (DECEMBER 1974) Pages: 742-744
Date Published
1974
Length
3 pages
Annotation
FEATURES OF THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT TO USE PARALEGALS BY ATTORNEYS ARE EXAMINED, WITH EMPHASIS ON THE EMERGENCE OF A DISTINCT PARALEGAL PROFESSION AND TRAINING FOR PARALEGALS IN FLORIDA.
Abstract
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF LEGAL ASSISTANTS WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION IN 1969 TO PROMOTE THE TRAINING AND USE OF PARALEGALS. OVER 70 COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES OFFER PARALEGAL TRAINING PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS RANGE IN DURATION FROM SEVERAL WEEKS TO SEVERAL YEARS AND IN CONTENT FROM TRUST AND ESTATE SPECIALIZATION TO A CURRICULUM RESEMBLING THAT OF LAW SCHOOLS. THE FOCUS OF THE NATIONAL PARALEGAL INSTITUTE AND THE FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM IS ON TRAINING AND STIMULATING THE USE OF PARALEGALS IN THE PUBLIC LAW SECTOR. THE PUBLIC LAW SECTOR INCLUDES OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAMS IN THE STATE, SENIOR CITIZEN AGENCIES, WELFARE RIGHTS AND CONSUMER ORGANIZATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. THE GREATEST AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC LAW PARALEGALS IS IN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW CASES. PARALEGALS NEED TRAINING IN THREE AREAS: (1) BASIC CONCEPTS (ROLE OF THE PARALEGAL, RELATIONS WITH ATTORNEYS, UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE AND ETHICS, AND FUNCTIONS OF AN ADVOCATE IN ADMINISTRATIVE REPRESENTATION); (2) SKILLS THAT ENCOMPASS CLIENT INTERVIEWING, ANALYSIS OF DOCUMENTS, NEGOTIATIONS WITH ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES, LEGAL RESEARCH, AND PREPARATION FOR REPRESENTATION AT ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS; AND (3) KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PARTICULAR AREA OF LAW IN WHICH THEY ARE TO WORK. TRADITIONAL MEANS OF STANDARDIZING AND CONTROLLING PARALEGAL ISSUES BY THE BAR ARE ACCREDITATION OF TRAINING AND LICENSING OR CERTIFICATION OF AN OCCUPATION. THE ONLY STATE TO HAVE CONSIDERED PARALEGAL LEGISLATION IS CALIFORNIA. THE FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM REPRESENTS AN INSTANCE WHERE ATTORNEYS, EDUCATORS, LEGAL SERVICES PROJECTS, PARALEGALS AND OTHER INTERESTED GROUPS COLLABORATED IN STUDYING THE PARALEGAL MOVEMENT AND CONSIDERING RULES AND STANDARDS THAT SHOULD ULTIMATELY BE SET. (DEP)