Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project Becomes Permanent in 2025

This post was contributed by the Justice North staff

The Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project began in late 2020 as a statewide pilot project that allowed approved Minnesota legal paraprofessionals to represent and advise clients in select matters with oversight by a licensed Minnesota attorney. The Pilot Project was intended to increase access to civil legal representation in case types where one or both parties typically appear without representation.

Justice North was an early adopter of this pilot project, and currently employs five legal paraprofessionals.

"We have seen the positive impact on our client communities through faster legal advice via our Hotline, one-on-one assistance with family law documents, and representation at mediations and court hearings," said Tiffany Doherty, Justice North's Director of Advocacy. "Talented paralegals now have the opportunity to expand on their skill set and continue to learn and grow while also assisting the client communities who badly need greater access to justice."

Earlier this month, it was announced that the pilot project will become a permanent program on January 1, 2025. Key additions to the allowed practice areas will also enable paraprofessionals to expand their work into criminal expungement, debt cases, simple probates, and more.

"The permanency of the Legal Paraprofessional Project is not just a matter of policy," said Doherty, "it is a testament to our dedication to fairness, equity, and the pursuit of justice."