What is Your Definition of a Paralegal?

​The American Bar Association has a new definition of paralegal and it no longer includes the term "legal assistant."   The ABA House of Delegates adopted a change to its Guidelines for Approval of Paralegal Education Programs at the February mid-year meeting.  It now reads:
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A paralegal is a person, qualified by education, training, or work experience who is employed or retained by a lawyer, law office, corporation, governmental agency or other entity and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which a lawyer is responsible.

Why the change now?  It started with The National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA).  In July 2018, NFPA sent a letter requesting that the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals remove the term "legal assistant" from its definition of paralegal.  You can read NFPA's letter here.  The Committee requested feedback from national and local paralegal associations, bar association leaders, and all ABA Approved Paralegal Education Programs before submitting their recommendation to change the definition to the ABA House of Delegates.

The debate about using "legal assistant" and "paralegal" interchangeably has been going strong for years.  Will the ABA's change in definition finally settle it?  How will it affect individuals qualified as paralegals who currently hold the legal assistant title?  Will it elevate the paralegal profession?  

Personally, I think "multi-tasking, firefighting, crisis solving super hero" is an apt definition but, let me know what you think. 

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Nothing contained within this blog should be considered legal advice.  Please consult a licensed attorney if you have an issue or question requiring a legal opinion or representation.  We are not attorneys.