Florida Unveils Registered Paralegal Program
Trial Coverage
The Florida Bar will begin administering a voluntary program to allow qualified paralegals to receive the designation of Florida
Registered Paralegal. Lori Holcomb, head of the Florida Registered Paralegal program at The Florida Bar, said already about 300 people have requested applications, which will be sent out once the program officially begins. Holcomb said she is expecting an avalanche of applicants wanting to download the form from The Florida Bar Web site on kick-off day, March 1.
“We ask those downloading the form to be patient,” said Holcomb. “If you have a delay, please try again.”
Paralegals are employed by attorneys to perform substantive tasks for which the lawyers are responsible.
Approved by the Supreme Court in November 2007, the Florida Registered Paralegal Program provides for registration of paralegals who meet minimum educational, certification or work experience and who agree to abide by an established code of ethics. The goal is to better serve the public by establishing high professional standards. The program provides a registry of paralegals but does not establish regulation of paralegals or define the work paralegals may do.
Those seeking to become a Florida Registered Paralegal must fill out an application form that can be downloaded from the Bar’s Web site beginning March 1 (www.floridabar.org/frp) or request the form by e-mail.
Additionally, there is a $150 application fee. Holcomb said after registration papers are filed and if everything is in order, it should take a couple of weeks to process an application. Applicants who are approved will be notified by mail with certificates and welcome packets.The program sets up a two-tier system for paralegals and also creates a disciplinary system and a Code of Ethics and Responsibility.
The first tier encompasses paralegals with education, training or work experience and who, under the supervision of lawyers, perform delegated, substantive work for which the lawyers are responsible.
Tier two paralegals have to meet education and work experience requirements or be certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).
Additionally, for the first three years of the program, paralegals who are able to show substantial experience, but who don’t meet the education or certification requirements, will be able to become Florida Registered Paralegals under a grandfathering provision.
Those who receive the designation will be listed on The Florida Bar Web site.
To remain a Florida Registered Paralegal, 30 hours of continuing education courses will be required over a three-year period, with five of those hours having to be in professionalism or ethics courses.
The new Chapter 20 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar establishing the program does not set forth the duties paralegals may perform or deal with the fees that can be charged or awarded for the work they do. As is the case now, the primary responsibility for monitoring the work of paralegals — whether Florida Registered Paralegals or not — rests with the attorneys who employ or supervise them.
Holcomb said the program will give the public additional assurance about the quality of legal services they receive.
“When someone is a Florida Registered Paralegal, you know they have education or training to provide a higher level of service in assisting attorneys to serve their clients and the public,” said Holcomb.
To request a copy of the application electronically, send an e-mail to frp@flabar.org. The form will also be available on The Florida Bar Web site
(www.floridabar.org/frp) beginning March 1. Those with questions should
call (850) 561-5840.
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