PARALEGALS AS NURSE PRACTITIONERS OF THE LEGAL FIELD

Abstract

The persistent gap between the need for legal services and the availability of affordable representation presents a significant barrier to access to justice in the United States. This article argues that licensing paralegals to provide limited legal services in areas such as family law, landlord-tenant disputes, and debt collection offers a practical, cost-effective response to unmet legal needs. Drawing on examples from healthcare, the article contrasts restrictions on dental hygienists’ scope of practice with the development of nurse practitioners, whose specialized training and certification have expanded access to affordable care. The nurse practitioner model provides a framework for paralegal licensure through specialized education, competency-based examinations, appropriate supervision, and continuing education requirements. Authorizing qualified paralegals to provide limited legal services could expand access to legal assistance, reduce costs for consumers, and help address the shortage of affordable representation. This reform offers a promising approach to advancing access to justice and reducing the harms caused by unmet legal needs.