LLLTs – A New Delivery System for Legal Services
Traditionally, providing legal services in this country has been the sole province of lawyers. In recent years, however, trends such as a changing lawyer demographic, the evolving nature of clients, and the increased impact of technology on our work are raising questions about the ability of conventional practice models to meet current needs. As consumer demand increases, new models for the delivery of legal services are emerging.
In June 2012, the Washington Supreme Court adopted Admission and Practice Rule 28, creating the first limited license practitioner in the United States. The first LLLTs were licensed in the summer of 2015 in the area of family law and started providing services to the public upon licensure.
It is important for the public and all components of the legal and judicial arenas to understand the training, education, scope of practice, and rules and regulations that the LLLTs are governed by in order to maximize their positive impact on providing legal services.
Speaker Bio
Paula joined the Washington State Bar Association staff as deputy director in 2003 and went on to assume the role of executive director in 2007.
In addition to her position at the WSBA, Paula is a member of the Executive Committee of the University of Washington School of Law’s Leadership Council as well as the International Institute of Law Association Executives (IILACE) Executive Committee, where she is also a chair of the Program Committee. Recently, Paula served as a member of the American Bar Association’s Task Force on the Future of Legal Education. She is currently serving on the ABA’s Commission on the Future of Legal Services, co-chairing its Regulatory Opportunities Subcommittee.
A graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, Paula also received her master’s degree in international studies from the University of Washington. Before entering law school, she worked as a professional campaign coordinator and fundraiser in the state of Washington. She taught English in Taiwan for two years and spent another 10 months traveling throughout China and Southeast Asia. After law school, she served as assistant dean for administration and public relations at the University of Washington Law School, and then spent a year in Telluride, Colorado, before joining the WSBA.