News: Limited Licensed Legal Technician Program (American Bar Foundation 2017)

The Washington State Supreme Court (courts.wa.gov) and the Washington State Bar Association (wsba.org) created an innovative program to expand the provision of legal services. Limited Licensed Legal Technicians (LLLTs) represent a new legal role that builds on the capabilities of traditional paralegals and operates without supervision by lawyers. LLLTs primarily help customers fill out legal forms and understand legal procedures. The program started with the family law practice area, but Washington State plans to expand to additional practice areas in the near future. A small number of LLLTs have been certified and are currently practicing.

With support from the Public Welfare Foundation, the Preliminary Evaluation of the Washington State Limited License Legal Technician Program (americanbarfoundation.org) was completed in March 2017 by Thomas M. Clark of the National Center for State Courts (ncsc.org)and Rebecca L. Sandefur with the American Bar Foundation (americanbarfoundation.org).