Legal Services Evolution: Comparing the Roles of Allied Legal Professionals and Federal Accredited Representatives
On January 25, IAALS hosted "Legal Services Evolution: Comparing the Roles of Allied Legal Professionals and Federal Accredited Representatives," the first of two webinars examining the shifting dynamics in legal service provision and advocating for an inclusive and consumer-focused approach to legal reforms.
Allied legal professional (ALP) programs can play a vital role in expanding access to justice in state civil matters. In fact, they have been playing a key role in expanding access to legal representation for immigrants in federal administrative matters for more than 70 years. Accredited representatives working for recognized non-profit immigrant-serving organizations are authorized by the Department of Justice to provide legal representation to immigrants before US Citizenship and Immigration Services and also immigration courts. This model is informative for states considering ALP programs. While some attorneys worry about potential consumer harm due to ALPs not holding a juris doctor degree or passing the bar exam, this webinar shed light on the impact non-attorney legal service providers play in federal civil matters, including immigration court representation, and how consumer protections are effectively implemented. This webinar highlighted the similarities and differences between ALPs and federal immigration accredited representatives and showcased how both programs have prioritized consumer protection while increasing access to legal help.
