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The New Jersey Licensing Experience

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published April 11, 2014

By CEO and Founder - BCG Attorney Search left

New Jersey's recent consideration of licensing requirements for paralegals illustrates the arguments made on both sides of this issue. Paralegals, attorneys, and court systems around the country watched the developments in New Jersey closely because it was the most wide-ranging licensing plan yet proposed by any state. In addition to licensure, the proposal included establishing a code of conduct for licensed paralegals, imposing mandatory educational requirements, and creating an Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to oversee the regulation of paralegals. The New Jersey Supreme Court studied the plan for five years before publishing the so-called Kestin Report (named after its chairman, Appellate Judge Howard Kestin).

The ABA opposed the plan, arguing that it provided no tangible benefits to the public or the profession and predicting that it would hinder the public's access to affordable legal services if the proposal resulted in limiting entry into the paralegal profession. But paralegal organizations maintained that standards for education, licensing, and conduct would enhance their profession, especially since there were more job openings in New Jersey than qualified paralegals to fill them. Critics responded that licensing was unnecessary because competition in the marketplace dictated that paralegals maintain the highest standards possible. Furthermore, they argued that establishing another level of bureaucracy for licensing and oversight by the AOC would be expensive. Although the Kestin Report indicated that the AOC would be "self-funding," most questioned the feasibility of that and argued that, without state support or assistance from some other outside source, paralegals would not be able to support this agency. The three paralegal associations in the state overwhelmingly approved the licensure and regulation of paralegals, but expressed some concern about the Kestin Reports requirement that educational programs be ABA-approved.

The New Jersey Supreme Court rejected the recommendations in the Kestin Report, thereby bringing closure to the impassioned six-year debate that had attracted so much attention nationwide. The court said that supervision of legal assistants was best left to attorneys, but did direct one of its panels to develop guidelines to be followed by lawyers in supervising paralegals. Although rejecting outright licensure, the justices did encourage developing a "credentialing system" to recognize qualified paralegals.

NET NEWS

To get more in-depth information about NFPA's position on licensing and its reaction to the New Jersey proposal, go to www.paralegals.org, click on "Professional Development," and then on "Regulations" and also on "Unauthorized Practice of Law." For NALA's position on these issues, go to www.nala.org, click on "Information and Articles," and then on "Professional Issues."

United States
Pros and Cons of Licensure

Pros
  • Need for legal representation by middle class and poor
  • Ability of paralegals to provide legal services economically
Cons
  • Serious ramifications for providing poor legal services
  • Clients may not be able to assess when they need attorney
  • Cost of setting up licensing scheme
Questions Raised by Licensure
  • What kinds of degrees should be required?
  • What kind of accreditation should be required of institutions granting degrees?
  • What kind of licensing test should be used?
  • Who should develop licensing test?
  • Who should administer and grade licensing exam?
  • How much specialized education should be required?
When she began sending out resumes and going to interviews, Martha was thankful she had opted to participate in an internship. The single most frequently asked question was about her experience. Without the internship, she would have been hard pressed to come up with any legal experience. As it was, she could say she had done everything from drafting complaints to helping prepare trial notebooks, and she had at least six attorneys who were using her for her competence and zeal.

Because of her former experience as a real estate agent, she thought she was best suited to work in the field of real estate law and accepted a position with a sole practitioner who specialized in that area of law. After a month in the office with little or no supervision, however, she realized the attorney assumed she could do a lot more than she was capable of at that point. When she asked for more guidance, the attorney assured her (as she went zipping out the door) that she had the utmost confidence in her abilities and that she would review her work when she returned. Upon learning that the attorney did not review her work before sending it out, Martha could see a malpractice suit in the making and decided to quit before one of them committed a grievous error.

Paralegal job openings are out there if you know where to find them. Click here to find them.

About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations—from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

  • Immigration law
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Insurance defense
  • Family law
  • Trusts & estates
  • Municipal law
  • And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

  • Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
  • Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
  • Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
  • Growing firms in small and rural markets

He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success – The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm’s unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison’s legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here.

With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials—he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison’s work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

  • Finds and creates job openings that aren’t publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
  • Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
  • Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney—no matter their background, law school, or previous experience—has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

  • Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
  • Senior attorneys who believed they were “too experienced” to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
  • Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options—only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
  • Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist—often in places they never expected.

Submit Your Resume Today – Start Your Career Transformation

If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison’s expertise will help you take control of your future.

? Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

Alternative Summary

Harrison is the founder of BCG Attorney Search and several companies in the legal employment space that collectively gets thousands of attorneys jobs each year. Harrison’s writings about attorney careers and placement attract millions of reads each year. Harrison is widely considered the most successful recruiter in the United States and personally places multiple attorneys most weeks. His articles on legal search and placement are read by attorneys, law students and others millions of times per year.

More about Harrison

About LawCrossing

LawCrossing has received tens of thousands of attorneys jobs and has been the leading legal job board in the United States for almost two decades. LawCrossing helps attorneys dramatically improve their careers by locating every legal job opening in the market. Unlike other job sites, LawCrossing consolidates every job in the legal market and posts jobs regardless of whether or not an employer is paying. LawCrossing takes your legal career seriously and understands the legal profession. For more information, please visit www.LawCrossing.com.
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