In 2021, the Arizona Supreme Court pioneered a new tier of legal service providers, called legal paraprofessionals (LPs). The LP role was designed to help meet the enormous demand for legal services by bridging the gap between lower income individuals and legal service providers. LPs are distinct from a lawyer, a paralegal, or licensed document preparer. LPs are non-attorneys licensed and authorized to represent litigants in their specific scope of practice, without the supervision of an attorney, and within the limitations outlined in ACJA § 7-210.

To become an LP in Arizona, applicants must first qualify through experience or education, and then pass a general legal examination as well as an examination on their specific scope of practice. For example, an LP wishing to represent individuals in family law, must pass a family law examination. Additionally, prospective LPs must complete a full-background and character fitness test before they can become a licensed LP.

LPs are akin to a nurse practitioner in the medical field who can render many—but not all—of the same services as a medical doctor. Likewise, LPs can perform many—though not all—of the same services as a licensed attorney. For example, in the area of family law, LPs can represent litigants as an attorney would, except for the preparation of orders dividing retirement assets, the division or conveyance of formal business entities or commercial property, and appeals to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court. However, but for these restrictions, LPs with an endorsement in family law can represent litigants from start to finish in most dissolution of marriage, legal separation, paternity, maternity, grandparents’ rights, post-decree modifications, enforcement, and other family law and domestic relations matters. Like licensed attorneys, LPs are admitted to the State Bar (as affiliate members), pay annual bar dues, have annual mandatory continuing legal education requirements, pay into the client protection fund, have LP-client privilege, are bound by the rules of ethics and professional conduct, and are subject to disciplinary actions.

For more information on the qualifications, roles and restrictions of LPs, check out the Arizona Supreme Court’s website and Randi’s article published in Paralegals Connect Magazine.