From the two articles that I read about Paralegals being licensed it is somewhat a fifty fifty perspective if they think they should be licensed or not. On one hand, it would give them more knowledge and would possibly help them gain more money. On the other hand, the test could be seen more like a bar exam and Paralegals might start to feel like attorneys when they truly are not. It seems that the professional perspective is more against licensing for Paralegals then for it. They would have to pay the Paralegal more and their duties would only slightly change. Right now, Paralegals can do 93 % of what an attorney can do. Also, if a paralegal becomes certified it would make it a standard for what all paralegals have to do to obtain jobs. That would set the bar even hirer and could discourage some people from the profession.
"Open Season on Paralegal Licenses." Pro Quest. Pro Quest Business, 1 Oct. 1999. Web. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://search.proquest.com.proxy.libraries.uc.edu/business/docview/194391433/132927D75912318FB17/5?accountid=2909>.
Riley, Angela. "Part of the Legal Team." Pro Quest Business, 1 Dec. 2008. Web. 21 Oct. 2011. <http://search.proquest.com.proxy.libraries.uc.edu/business/docview/345468850/1329271EC1886F04F1/9?accountid=2909>.
Hi Samantha, There's an interesting contrast here between how this issue is framed in public sources as opposed to professional ones. The public seems to see licensing as a kind of "promotion" or professional "development" like you could get in any field, whereas the professional sources see it as risky business.
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