BAEC Bulletin | September/October 2022 | 29
gap. In February 2021, Law360 released an article about 5 other states (Arizona, California, Illinois, New Mexico and Utah) who were considering some form of nonlawyer assistance in this goal. 3 Most recently, the Oregon Supreme Court approved a program that allows paralegals to provide limited legal services in family law and landlord tenant cases, starting in July of 2023. 4 There are many others discussing these same issues, including ESAPA. ESAPA acknowledges that there is a need for cost- effective legal services. ESAPA recognizes that the use of qualified paralegals by lawyers, law firms, judicial, educational, commercial and governmental entities is the best way to provide the community with such
cost-effective legal services.
Paralegals look forward to working with the attorneys across New York state to facilitate a way of assisting in pro bono matters and helping to bridge the Access to Justice gap. •
BETH BIALIS, RP®, NYSCP® Litigation Paralegal Phillips Lytle LLP
Footnotes
1 https://nydailyrecord.com/2013/05/28/committee-tasked-with-narrowing-justice-gap/ 2 https://iaals.du.edu/blog/close-justice-gap-we-must-look-beyond-lawyers 3 https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/1352126/where-5-states-stand-on-nonlawyer-practice-of-law-regs 4 Debra Cassens Weiss, “Licensed Paralegals Program in Oregon Gets Final Approval,” ABA Journal (July 25, 2022) ( https://www. abajournal.com/news/article/licensed-paralegal-program-in-oregon-gets-final-approval) (last accessed August 26, 2022).
After a number of years here at the BAEC, Greg Hirtzel, Director of Marketing and Communications and Bulletin Editor, is leaving us. He is moving with his wife and young daughter to Maine. We wish him well and will miss him. Greg was instrumental in guiding the Bar through the COVID-19 pandemic, establishing a website, and virtual communication platforms with speed and expertise. He revamped the Bar’s communication channels and contributed mightily to our recent success. Farewell to A Friend and Colleague
Thank you Greg and all the best to you and your family!
--Anne M. Noble Executive Director •
Powered by FlippingBook