Does the Bar license paralegals?
No. The Florida Bar does not license paralegals. But on March 1, 2008, the voluntary Florida Registered Paralegal Program went into effect. The program provides for voluntary registration of paralegals who meet minimum educational, certification or work experience and who agree to abide by an established code of ethics. For the first three years of the program, paralegals who are able to show substantial experience, but who don’t meet the education or certification requirements, will be able to become Florida Registered Paralegals under a grandfathering provision. The new Chapter 20 of the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar establishing the program does not set forth the duties paralegals may perform or deal with the fees that can be charged or awarded for the work they do. The primary responsibility for monitoring the work of paralegals — whether Florida Registered Paralegals or not — rests with the attorneys who employ or supervise them. Additionally, The Florida Bar has been given t
