NCJ Number
52957
Journal
NORTH CAROLINA BAR Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: (1974) Pages: 18-35
Date Published
1973
Length
18 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF ADVANCES IN THE EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OF PARALEGALS IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
A DEFINITION OF THE LEGAL PARAPROFESSIONAL IS OFFERED AND THE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY PARALEGALS ARE DISCUSSED. THE LARGE NUMBER OF LAY PERSONS (LEGAL SECRETARIES, INSURANCE CLAIMS ADJUSTERS, BANK LOAN OFFICERS, DEBT COLLECTION AGENTS, ETC.) WHO HAVE LONG ENGAGED IN LEGAL OR QUASI-LEGAL SERVICE FUNCTIONS IS POINTED OUT. THE GROWING NEED FOR LEGAL SERVICES AND THE POTENTIAL OF THE PARALEGAL TO MEET THAT NEED ARE DISCUSSED. THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION'S COST-EFFECTIVENESS COMPARISON OF THE TRADITIONAL LAW PRACTICE AND THE LEGAL CORPORATION/PARALEGAL STRUCTURE IS CITED. THE HISTORY OF THE PARALEGAL MOVEMENT IS TRACED, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE RAPID EXPANSION OF PARALEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE SINCE 1969. HIGHLIGHTS FROM SURVEYS OF PARALEGAL PROGRAM COURSE OFFERINGS, ENROLLMENTS, AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ARE CITED. PROBLEMS THAT CONFRONT NEW PARALEGAL PROGRAMS ARE ILLUSTRATED IN AN ACCOUNT OF A CLEVELAND, OHIO, PARALEGAL PROGRAM THAT FAILED. THE NEWNESS OF PARALEGAL PROGRAMS IS SAID TO CREATE THE MAIN PROBLEM. CONFUSION ABOUT THE PARALEGAL'S ROLE AND FUNCTIONS APPEARS TO TROUBLE SOME CONSUMERS, LAWYERS, EDUCATORS, AND PARALEGALS THEMSELVES. DUE TO THE NEWNESS OF PARALEGAL PROGRAMS AND THE LIMITED NUMBER OF GRADUATES, ADEQUATE EVALUATIONS OF THE PROGRAM HAVE NOT YET BEEN POSSIBLE. ANOTHER PROBLEM CONCERNS THE QUESTION OF THE PROPER STRUCTURE AND LEVEL OF THE PARALEGAL'S EDUCATION. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT BUSINESS LAW PROFESSORS ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO CREATE, DIRECT, AND TEACH IN PARALEGAL PROGRAMS. (LKM)