WSBA President Crossland promptly issued
this statement on the Adoption of the Limited License Legal Technician
Rule:
“Today the Washington Supreme Court adopted the Limited
License Legal Technician (LLLT) Rule. The adopted rule is substantively the
same as the Legal Technician Rule that was originally proposed by the Supreme
Court's Practice of Law Board in 2008, but never acted on.
This rule authorizes non-attorneys who meet certain
educational requirements to advise clients on specific areas of law, which have
yet to be determined.
While the Board of Governors consistently opposed the rule
during its development, it's now time for our profession to participate and
lead in the decision-making process to shape the best program possible. Nine
attorneys will be appointed to the 13-member LLLT Board by the Supreme Court.
WSBA's role is to maintain the high standards we have set
for our legal profession while serving as the regulators of this new rule. We
will ensure quality implementation aimed at supporting our members and
upholding protection of the public.
There is no other state with a similar LLLT rule. This rule
provides Washington the opportunity to lead the nation in expanding legal
services for the people of our state.”
There is considerable controversy surrounding this
Rule. In addition to consistent
opposition by the WSBA Board of Governors as noted by President Crossland, many
attorneys question the costs and responsibility for expenses to administer a “legal
technician” program plus the supervision and quality assurance of such a
program. Upon learning of the Supreme
Court’s decision the Pierce County Bar Association Family Law Section adopted a
resolution opposing the program.
