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IAALS’ Allied Legal Professionals Knowledge Center captures the ongoing work and developments by states around the country exploring the expansion of legal services through new tiers of legal professionals. This Knowledge Center is an up-to-date resource with current state information and recommendations for those considering how these programs can be achieved and improved; read our National Framework for Program Growth for guidance on considering, implementing, or refining ALP programs. Explore the map for state-by-state updates, and the tables and figures below for analysis of program features.
ImplementedApproved and Under DevelopmentUnder ConsiderationBeing StudiedCurrently Not Moving Forward
Results
Select a state from the map to see action in that state.
Nationwide Program Features:
Practice Areas
Most states are limiting ALPs to these three areas of the law: family, landlord/tenant, and debt collection, with every state including family law. Only Arizona has broadened their scope beyond to include limited jurisdiction criminal law, administrative law, and juvenile law. Click for full size.
Most states are limiting ALPs to these three areas of the law: family, landlord/tenant, and debt collection, with every state including family law. Only Arizona has broadened their scope beyond to include limited jurisdiction criminal law, administrative law, and juvenile law. Click for full size.
Roles and Responsibilities
Each state allows/requires their ALPs to perform each of these roles to a certain extent. To ensure transparency, ALPs must inform their clients that they are not an attorney or that they are working with an attorney. States with permanent programs allow ALPs to prepare, sign, and file pleadings while pilot states require the supervising attorneys to sign all pleadings. Some states allow their ALPs to attend a client’s deposition, but no state allows ALPs to actively represent their clients at depositions. Click for full size.
Each state allows/requires their ALPs to perform each of these roles to a certain extent. To ensure transparency, ALPs must inform their clients that they are not an attorney or that they are working with an attorney. States with permanent programs allow ALPs to prepare, sign, and file pleadings while pilot states require the supervising attorneys to sign all pleadings. Some states allow their ALPs to attend a client’s deposition, but no state allows ALPs to actively represent their clients at depositions. Click for full size.
In-Court Representation
Arizona is the only state with a permanent program that permits its ALPs to provide full in-court representation, meaning they can represent their client in court to the full extent an attorney can. The two states with pilot programs—Minnesota and New Hampshire—also allow their ALPs to provide full in-court representation. The ALPs in the four remaining states with permanent programs are limited in the services they can provide in court, often limited to sitting next to their client, advising their client as to arguments they should make and evidence they should admit, and answering questions from the judge. Click for full size.
Arizona is the only state with a permanent program that permits its ALPs to provide full in-court representation, meaning they can represent their client in court to the full extent an attorney can. The two states with pilot programs—Minnesota and New Hampshire—also allow their ALPs to provide full in-court representation. The ALPs in the four remaining states with permanent programs are limited in the services they can provide in court, often limited to sitting next to their client, advising their client as to arguments they should make and evidence they should admit, and answering questions from the judge. Click for full size.
Attorney Supervision
The only two states that require attorney supervision of Allied Legal Professionals are those that currently have pilot programs—Minnesota and New Hampshire. Click for full size.
The only two states that require attorney supervision of Allied Legal Professionals are those that currently have pilot programs—Minnesota and New Hampshire. Click for full size.
Ownership Interest
Three states—Colorado, Utah, and Washington—allow ALPs to have an ownership interest in law firms. Their ownership must be a minority interest. The other four states currently do not allow their ALPs to have ownership interest in law firms. Click for full size.
Three states—Colorado, Utah, and Washington—allow ALPs to have an ownership interest in law firms. Their ownership must be a minority interest. The other four states currently do not allow their ALPs to have ownership interest in law firms. Click for full size.
Education
Each state with a permanent program provides a variety of educational pathways to become an ALP, including a waiver of the educational requirement for those who have between three to ten years of substantive law-related experience, depending on the state. This list is only a sample of the most common educational pathways, not accounting for additional educational requirements some states require in addition to these degrees/certificates. Click for full size.
Each state with a permanent program provides a variety of educational pathways to become an ALP, including a waiver of the educational requirement for those who have between three to ten years of substantive law-related experience, depending on the state. This list is only a sample of the most common educational pathways, not accounting for additional educational requirements some states require in addition to these degrees/certificates. Click for full size.
Practical Training
The majority of states require 1,500 hours of practical training prior to licensure of ALPs. In Arizona, the 120 hours is only for applicants that have a law-related degree, otherwise the applicant must also complete one year of substantive law-related experience. Each state requires a specific portion of these hours to be in the area of law the ALP will be licensed. Click for full size.
The majority of states require 1,500 hours of practical training prior to licensure of ALPs. In Arizona, the 120 hours is only for applicants that have a law-related degree, otherwise the applicant must also complete one year of substantive law-related experience. Each state requires a specific portion of these hours to be in the area of law the ALP will be licensed. Click for full size.
Examinations
The format of examinations for Allied Legal Professionals varies by state with the use of multiple choice, essay, and issue spotting. They often resemble portions of the state’s bar exam. Oregon has set itself apart from the other states by implementing a portfolio requirement in addition to an examination. To fulfill this requirement, applicants must provide materials that include, at a minimum, a significant body of work in the area of law in which an applicant is seeking endorsement. Click for full size.
The format of examinations for Allied Legal Professionals varies by state with the use of multiple choice, essay, and issue spotting. They often resemble portions of the state’s bar exam. Oregon has set itself apart from the other states by implementing a portfolio requirement in addition to an examination. To fulfill this requirement, applicants must provide materials that include, at a minimum, a significant body of work in the area of law in which an applicant is seeking endorsement. Click for full size.
Regulatory Requirements
Permanent program states require their ALPs to adhere to similar regulatory requirements as attorneys, including the use of trust accounts and paying into the state’s client security fund. Both Washington and Oregon are the only permanent program states that require their ALPs to obtain malpractice insurance, with Oregon being the only state that also requires this of its attorneys. The pilot program states require the supervising attorneys to have malpractice insurance if they are to supervise an ALP. Click for full size.
Permanent program states require their ALPs to adhere to similar regulatory requirements as attorneys, including the use of trust accounts and paying into the state’s client security fund. Both Washington and Oregon are the only permanent program states that require their ALPs to obtain malpractice insurance, with Oregon being the only state that also requires this of its attorneys. The pilot program states require the supervising attorneys to have malpractice insurance if they are to supervise an ALP. Click for full size.
