HOD2_Results

Whereas, the Oregon Supreme Court has approved Paralegal Licensing that limits Paralegals to practice only within certain areas of Family Law and Landlord-Tenant Law;

Whereas, Expansion of Licensed Paralegal Services will further address a long-standing need for improved Access to Justice for the 80% of Oregonians unable to afford traditional Legal Services;

Whereas, to further serve the needs of the unserved 80% of Oregonians; and, in particular to serve their needs in areas of Law such as Traffic Violations, Unemployment Hearings, Fish and Game Violation Cases, Local Planning Hearings, Land Use Advisory Commissions, School Suspension of Students, and other areas of Law where there remains a lack of affordable Legal Services; now,

Resolved, that the House of Delegates recommends that the Board of Governors appoint a Volunteer Committee [Workgroup] to study Expansion of Licensed Paralegal Services, so as to encourage Licensees to become better qualified in additional areas of Law; and, become authorized to practice in underserved areas of Law toward the goal of greater Access to Justice for the 80% of Oregonians with unmet needs for Legal Services.

Financial Impact

The Board of Governors anticipates there will be a budgetary impact based on additional staff time needed to support the volunteer workgroup.

Presenter:
Danny Lang, Ex-Officio Delegate, Region 3