According to a 2020 American Bar Association report, Arizona ranks last per capita in the number of legal resources available to residents. But in November 2021, the Arizona Supreme Court approved the first 10 applicants for a new category of legal practitioners, known as legal paraprofessionals.
In addition to the cost of legal services, Arizona has “legal deserts.” These are areas where two-thirds of the counties have fewer than one lawyer per 1,000 residents. To narrow the justice gap, the Supreme Court recommended the creation of a legal paraprofessional program, or LPs. These LPs have their own licensing requirement but do not take the bar exam.
Kristy Clairmont is head of the paraprofessional program at the University of Arizona. She explained the duties an LP can perform.
"An LP can prepare and sign legal documents. They can give legal advice and opinions as to remedies, defenses and strategies. They can draft and file documents — so all things that we associate traditionally with a JD (Juris Doctor degree)," Clairmont said.
These LPs are currently limited to family law, civil law, administrative law and criminal misdemeanor matters. So far, 26 applicants have passed the exam, and 14 have been licensed.
