FAPA is pleased to announce that the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association has joined as a member association. A big FAPA welcome to all TBPA members! We hope to see some of you at our Spring Seminar in Ft. Myers.
In January, some members of the CA State Bar Board of Trustees said limited-practice licensing would provide legal services to the public as well as provide law students the opportunity to gain experience before licensure. Looking to curb the "black market" of the unlicensed practice of law, the idea would initiate a new class of professionals in CA who could give legal advice. The Washington state program, and licensed paralegals in Canada were referenced as examples (see links below for details on the WA program).
Read the full article reporting this news in California Bar Journal.
One of the items discussed is to formulate an education plan for non-lawyers in a limited practice. The WA state program was referenced by members of the Task Force as an example.
Read the full article published in The New York Times.
The Task Force's Non-Lawyer Involvement Working Group advocates further development of the role of non-lawyer, particularly given the level of non-lawyer assistance that is already being provided with limited or no oversight and regulation, and recommends implementation of a pilot program to permit appropriately trained non-lawyer advocates to provide out-of-court assistance in a discrete substantive area.
Read the full report. The Task Force's Non-Laywer Involvement Working Group piece begins at the bottom of page 36.
A special thank you to the 989 Florida Paralegals, Legal Assistants or other Legal Support personnel who participated in the survey this year!
Initial results were released to registered attendees at our 2012 Annual Seminar on November 3, 2012, and final results were posted on December 7, 2012.
Visit the Surveys web page to download the report.
On June 21, 2012, the Florida Supreme Court issued a pair of orders which will fundamentally change filing and service on parties of court documents in Florida after September 1, 2012. The order creating Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516 (E-mail Service Rule), mandating the service of pleadings via email in Florida state court jurisdictions becomes effective September 1, 2012. The order creating Florida Rules of Judicial Administration 2.520 (Documents), and 2.525 (Electronic Filing) outlines the schedule phasing in mandatory use of the E-Portal for filing court documents, and related requirements.
View the orders outlining the changes required, and related rule amendments online at: http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/2012/sc10-2101.pdf and
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/2012/sc11-399.pdf
On June 15, 2012, the Washington State Supreme Court adopted the new Admission to Practice Rule 28 entitled Limited License Practitioner Rule. The rule was recommended by the Practice of Law Board. Some items that Limited Practitioners Practitoners will be able to assist with include selection and completion of forms, reviewing and explaining pleadings, identifying additional documents that may be needed in a court proceeding and informing clients of applicable procedures and timelines. Requirements include CLE, annual proof of financial responsibility, and an annual license fee. Limited License Practitioners must also be of good moral character, and demonstrate fitness to practice as well as meet education and experience requirements. The Rule will become effective as of September 1, 2012.
Washington Supreme Court's press release:
Final Order and complete APR 28 rule language:
http://www.courts.wa.gov/content/publicUpload/Press%20Releases/25700-A-1005.pdf
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