Re: Can I get around the formal requirements 4 Paralegal ?

More | Report Post

Dear Tia,

You are a law-enforcement officer. Get your state's
criminal code and read what the Unauathorized Practice of Law
consists of. You as a notary can do anything that is not
prohibited by your state's UPL statute (law). In my opinion
there is no such thing as an independent paralegal. Unless a
paralegal works under the tutledge and guidance of a licensed
attorney, I think it is the unauthorized practice of law. Now
nobody much enforces the UPL statute, but it has been done
that paralegals have been prosecuted criminally. And what's
to stop an attorney who is losing business as a result of UPL
from bringing a racketeering injunction and damage suit
against an independent paralegal who is cutting into his
potential clients? Just a thought! I am not one to gripe
about UPL, but I notice that there is a movement towards the
institution of an Independent Paralegal Profession. What's
the difference in that and the practice of law? If one has
to be licensed to practice law, then a paralegal has to be
licensed to practice law. Heretofore nobody has ever kicked
about independent paralegals, but I can see it coming.

Just a thought!

You want to be a paralegal? Just print yourself some cards
and go to it, but either work for a lawyer or do not exceed
your authority as a Notary Public. A notary is a type of
paralegal, but he is licensed to exercise his functions as
such. No need to go to any school for paralegals. Just buy
your some law text bookw and other books and begin to read.

Sincerely,

Hardy Parkerson, Atty.
Lake Charles, LA

Tia wrote:

> I am currently satisfied with my current law enforcement
> career, but I would like to supplement my income by
> becoming an independant paralegal. I have no desire to seek
> employment elsewhere. I am a Notary Public and I was
> attached to a legal unit in the Navy, so I do have basic
> experience.
>
> I am attending a local college to seek the degree, but it
> is taking toooo long. Ca has a new requirement for "Legal
> Document Assistants", but I would like to know if I am
> within legal rights to type legal documents for the public
> after attending one of the "mamby-pamby" six month
> paralegal courses? I would just seek business from fellow
> law officers because I'll be working from home. I have
> asked my teachers but I somehow get the feeling they are
> discouraging me from this because the school will lose
> money. HELP !

Re: Can I get around the formal requirements 4 Paralegal ? , 3/30/03, by Hardy Parkerson, Atty..

Intellectual Property Law Chatboard

LATEST POSTS | BY TOPICS | SUBMIT A POST