Paralegals

What does the future hold for licensed paraprofessionals?

Much has been made of the gigantic access-to-justice gap in this country. One possible way to help bridge the gap is to expand the pool of people eligible to practice law. Of course, that raises age-old concerns about unauthorized practice of law.

Sep 18, 2024 8:49 AM CDT

To address lawyer shortage, Indiana could fund scholarships, approve allied professionals, commission says

Indiana could help address an attorney shortage in underserved communities through law student scholarships and loan-repayment assistance, according to initial recommendations by the Indiana Supreme Court’s Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future.

Aug 28, 2024 9:04 AM CDT

Rule change to allow paraprofessionals to offer limited legal services proposed by top Texas court

The Texas Supreme Court is seeking comment on a proposal that would allow qualified nonlawyers to provide some legal services to low-income Texans.

Aug 7, 2024 10:19 AM CDT

Lawyers are returning to office with ‘startling enthusiasm,’ survey says

A majority of surveyed legal professionals are satisfied with their law firms’ attendance policies, a “rather shocking turnaround” from discussions about the issue immediately following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report by the Thomson Reuters Institute.

Jun 5, 2024 9:06 AM CDT

Legal community ‘bamboozled’ by woman who allegedly posed as attorney for years

A former paralegal is under investigation for the unlicensed practice of law for allegedly holding herself out as an attorney in Chatham County, Georgia, for a period of years.

May 15, 2024 3:08 PM CDT

Should paralegals fear artificial intelligence?

As the legal industry braces for technological disruption, paralegals are facing scrutiny, raising questions about the compatibility of human expertise with the efficiency of machine intelligence.

May 15, 2024 2:49 PM CDT

Send in the paralegals

And what about the paralegals? Who are they? What can they do?

Apr 18, 2024 1:45 PM CDT

Should ABA strike ‘nonlawyer’ from its vocabulary? Petition says it’s time

The word “nonlawyer” fails to acknowledge the wide range of contributions of all legal professionals and should no longer be used by the ABA, according to a petition posted on LinkedIn.

Apr 11, 2024 11:14 AM CDT

Law student’s suit alleges Chicago Bears didn’t hire him as ‘legal diversity fellow’ because he is white man

A first-year student at the DePaul University College of Law in Chicago claims in a lawsuit that the Chicago Bears football team refused to consider him for a “legal diversity fellow” position because he is a white man.

Mar 25, 2024 10:05 AM CDT

Lawyer went the extra 29 miles to shut down refinance scam

A lawyer in Charlotte, North Carolina, put the knowledge that he gained at a fall conference to use when he visited a homeowner and averted a financial scam.

Feb 13, 2024 3:59 PM CST

Paralegals’ suit claims First Amendment right to offer legal advice on court forms

Two paralegals and the North Carolina Justice for All Project say in a federal lawsuit they have a First Amendment right to give some kinds of legal advice.

Jan 9, 2024 2:21 PM CST

DePaul University College of Law dean will lead ABA legal education starting next summer

The DePaul University College of Law’s dean will become the managing director for accreditation and legal education at the ABA, replacing Bill Adams, effective June 1.

Nov 29, 2023 12:08 PM CST

Paralegal accused of embezzling over $1.5M from law firm clients

Updated: A paralegal has been charged with wire fraud for allegedly embezzling more than $1.5 million from clients of a law firm in Hickory, North Carolina.

Jul 21, 2023 9:02 AM CDT

Role of nonlawyer assistants in client intake addressed in new ABA ethics opinion

Lawyers may train nonlawyer legal assistants to handle client intake matters, but they must ensure that such assistants’ conduct is compatible with the lawyer’s professional obligations, including giving clients an opportunity to consult with the lawyer about questions, according to an ethics opinion from the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility released Wednesday.

Jun 7, 2023 10:07 AM CDT

Lawyer’s paralegal was fooled by fraudster who changed wiring instructions, suit says

A Connecticut lawyer sent part of the proceeds from a home sale to a fraudster’s bank account, rather than the bank holding the mortgage, a negligence lawsuit alleges.

Apr 27, 2023 2:14 PM CDT