Thesis Statement

Paralegal licensing is a big issue for people in the profession and outside of it. Hopefully soon, it will be resolved either way.

Professional Journal Articles

Callegari, J. (2011). Paralegals in New York State push for voluntary certification. Long Island Business News. 9190. This article is about how many organizations in New York feel that paralegals should be licensed so that they are held to a certain standard.

Dolan, V. (2005). An Argument for the Need to Certify and Legislate Paralegals. The Legal Intelligencer, Issue 98. This article states that even though paralegal licensing hasn’t been made yet, many states have changed over the years in how they view paralegals. They are trying to set a new standard for the term Paralegal.

Grimes, S. (2000). Wisconsin continues work on licensing proposal.  Paralegal Today. 18.2. This article is about is that Wisconsin would require paralegals to obtain continued education. The difference between these articles and the others is the facts that if a paralegal was already meeting the current requirements to practice in that state they would be qualified to apply for a license.

Howitt, C. (2006). Paralegals courting battle; Law Society could be put in charge of regulating industry. Kitchener-Waterloo Record. This article states that in Canada, legislation is trying to propose that Paralegals will soon be required to complete a college program, pass an exam, adhere to a code of conduct, and carry insurance.

Kay, J. (2011). Bills would license, Regulate Paralegals. Brown Daily Business Review, Issue 70. This article was about making Florida the first state for Mandatory Paralegal Licensing. It would make it illegal for unlicensed paralegals to work in the state of Florida.

Kay, J. (2010). Paralegals are Push for Mandatory Certification. Brown Daily Business Review, Issue 163. This article was about Paralegals actually wanting it to be mandatory to be certified in the state of Florida.

Professional Articles

Kay, J. (2011). Bills would license, Regulate Paralegals. Brown Daily Business Review, Issue 70. This article was about making Florida the first state for Mandatory Paralegal Licensing. It would make it illegal for unlicensed paralegals to work in the state of Florida.

Dolan, V. (2005). An Argument for the Need to Certify and Legislate Paralegals. The Legal Intelligencer, Issue 98. This article states that even though paralegal licensing hasn’t been made yet, many states have changed over the years in how they view paralegals. They are trying to set a new standard for the term Paralegal.

Howitt, C. (2006). Paralegals courting battle; Law Society could be put in charge of regulating industry. Kitchener-Waterloo Record. This article states that in Canada, legislation is trying to propose that Paralegals will soon be required to complete a college program, pass an exam, adhere to a code of conduct, and carry insurance.

Kay, J. (2010). Paralegals are Push for Mandatory Certification. Brown Daily Business Review, Issue 163. This article was about Paralegals actually wanting it to be mandatory to be certified in the state of Florida.

Popular Audience

My popular audience would be parents, clients, and anyone that might be interested in becoming a Paralegal. My popular audience wants informtion on why Paralegals should be licensed and what needs to be done to get this and also what it would do if they were. I feel that what they would need to make an informed decision on this would be to see both sides of the issue. They need to know why it would seem like a good idea and why it really might not be. I think the best way to get my popular audience to understand these issues is to read an article that gives the pros and the cons. That way they have both opinions all in one place.