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7 Clearinghouse Rev. 463 (1973-1974)
Issue 8

handle is hein.journals/clear7 and id is 467 raw text is: VOLUME 7, DECEMBER 1973                                                         NUMBER 8

A SHORT REVIEW OF THE PARALEGAL MOVEMENT
by William R. Fry, Executive Director, National Paralegal Institute, Inc.

I.   Introduction
The National Paralegal Institute has received many
requests for information about the nature of the paralegal
movement, the forces at work in it, the job market for
paralegals, and the future of the occupation. Although the
entire subject has been studied and reported in various
quarters, we believe a short summary may be useful for
general information.
II.   Definition of a Paralegal
There is no authoritative definition, but those in the
field including paralegals themselves tend to use the term in
a certain way. It is generally conceded that a paralegal must
be specifically trained, whether on the job or in a formal
training program. It is also conceded that paralegals work
under the indirect or direct supervision of attorneys on the
kinds of problems attorneys have traditionally handled. The
concept excludes some fairly well defined supportive roles
in the lawyering process: secretarial, clerical, librarian,
social worker, community aid, and office administrator.
The paralegal should be trained in basic legal concepts,
skills appropriate for his work, and one or more specialties.
What paralegals do with this training will vary, as the
following picture of paralegal diversity reveals. So far there
are no credentialing or licensing rules which define a
paralegal, but some state bar associations and paralegal
groups are talking about the need for such rules.
Ill. Who Are Paralegals?
Paralegals come in many forms, and can be classified
by where they work, what they do, or where they trained.
The following is an effort to provide a profile of paralegals
by dividing them into such classifications purely for
convenience. The divisions have no formal significance.
1.   OEO Legal Services
A recent survey by the National Paralegal Institute
shows that 127 OEO-funded Legal Services offices (out of
280) make use of paralegals. Some have as many as 20,
although more often there are only one or two. More than
70% of the paralegals have had some college training, up to
post-graduate schooling. Few received any formal training

prior to entering the Legal Services Program. Some Legal
Services projects have inaugurated in-house training pro-
grams, and others use on-the-job training provided by
individual lawyers. The in-house training varies consider-
ably. In Maine, paralegals are trained one day every other
week for a full year. In Georgia, paralegals were given a two
week intensive training program with follow-up training
once they began work, and in Long Beach, California, an
attorney spends full time supervising and training para-
legals. They receive formal class teaching, study materials
specially prepared for them, and continuous supervision
and guidance from the attorney, who handles no cases
himself.
OEO paralegals perform a wide range of services.
Virtually all interview clients, and a vast majority negotiate
with government agencies on behalf of the clients in public
entitlement cases, represent clients   at administrative
hearings, and do investigative work. Many also do legal
research and drafting. OEO Legal Services directors report
substantial gratification with the work of paralegals, and it
is only lack   of financing that prevents them     from
employing more.
2.    Institute for Paralegal Training in Philadelphia
This profit-making school started several years ago by
practicing attorneys who invested a good deal of money
preparing elaborate specialty training materials. Its admis-
sion standards are high, and it seeks young women college
graduates with good academic records. Tuition is $700, and
a placement fee of $1,800 is required from law firms. The
students are guaranteed placement in the city of their
choice or tuition is refunded. Placement success is virtually
total.
Most of the training consists of specialty study in one
area of law. For three months students are trained in their
choice of corporations, real estate, tax, litigation, or trusts
and estates. There is in addition a single general course
geared for the paralegal who will work in a small office.
Most graduates are working in major law firms in urban
areas. The law firms are generally very satisfied, although it
is unclear whether it is the training or the screening process
which is most valuable to them.

VOLUME 7, DECEMBER 1973

NUMBER 8

A616
. 1NATONA CEAR]INGHOUSE F~ FO LEGL SERVICE

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