Open Now: Registered Paralegal Program
May 22nd, 2008Florida’s new Registered Paralegal Program is available to students as of today. At least 300 people have asked for this program, and more than 300 are likely to download it from the Web site of Florida’s bar sometime today.
Applicants must also provide a $150 application fee. Applicants who are approved will receive certificates and welcome packets within two weeks via mail. The Registered Paralegal Program has two tiers, both conforming to the Code of Ethics and responsibility and using a disciplinary system already in place.
The first tier takes in paralegals with education, training or work experience and who, carryout the tasks that are given to them from lawyers, with supervision and perform substantive work. The lawyer oversees their work.
The second tier of paralegals comprises those who have sufficient education or work experience or are certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) or the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).
Furthermore, persons who are able to demonstrate significant previous work history, as paralegals will be grandfathered as Florida Registered Paralegals, even if they do not otherwise meet the certification or coursework criteria, provided they apply during the first three years from the start of the program.
The Florida Bar Web site will list those who have received the designation.
In order to retain your certification as a Florida Registered Paralegal, you must complete 30 credited hours of continuing education over a three-year period. Five credits are to be earned from a professionalism or ethics course.
Attorneys who employ the paralegals or supervise them take the primary responsibility of monitoring their work.
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