Limited Practice Officer

[jonlevy]

OK - after using Google a bit, there is actually something in Washington State at least called a Limited Practice Officer:

http://www.wsba.org/Licensing-and-Lawyer-Conduct/Admissions/Limited-Licenses-and-Special-Programs/Non-Lawyers-and-Students/Limited-Practice-Officers

http://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.display&group=ga&set=apr&ruleid=gaapr12

In theory it looks more lucrative than being a paralegal.

CrazyLawStudent however should have been able to find this by Googling instead of wasting time here for weeks.

Still I am always glad to learn something new.  But this looks like a fancy name for a real estate escrow officer since there does not appear to be any real educational requirement except perhaps a Bachelors degree and passing the exam.

[passaroa25]

It does sound lucrative.  But, with the American real estate industry so depressed, how much work would actually be available?

[sollicitus]

OK - after using Google a bit, there is actually something in Washington State at least called a Limited Practice Officer:

http://www.wsba.org/Licensing-and-Lawyer-Conduct/Admissions/Limited-Licenses-and-Special-Programs/Non-Lawyers-and-Students/Limited-Practice-Officers

http://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.display&group=ga&set=apr&ruleid=gaapr12

In theory it looks more lucrative than being a paralegal.

CrazyLawStudent however should have been able to find this by Googling instead of wasting time here for weeks.

Still I am always glad to learn something new.  But this looks like a fancy name for a real estate escrow officer since there does not appear to be any real educational requirement except perhaps a Bachelors degree and passing the exam.

http://www.wsba.org/Licensing-and-Lawyer-Conduct/Admissions/Limited-Licenses-and-Special-Programs/Non-Lawyers-and-Students/~/media/Files/Licensing_Lawyer%20Conduct/Admissions/Special%20Admissions/Law%20Clerk%20Application%20Packet.ashx

It shows it as being an internship basicly. The only way to do it is to have an ABA law degree or to do the internship. I think it is interesting since it appears that a non ABA grad (like CrazyLawStudent clearly appeared to be) would not be allowed to do it without the internship even with a JD or even a full LLM.

If someone wants to do the internship and can find a sponsor, then why not just do the same thing in CA and be a real lawyer instead of the neutered fancier version of a paralegal?

It's an interesting program, but unless you live in that state and have  a lawyer to work under it's useless without an ABA JD (which if you have, why would you not just take the regular bar, no one can be that dumb. It would be like an MD taking the CNA exam)

[jonlevy]

That is the law clerk program which leads to being an attorney and is not the same as Limited Practice Officer.  Limited Practice Officer is under thier Rule 12, it does not require a JD.

[sollicitus]

That is the law clerk program which leads to being an attorney and is not the same as Limited Practice Officer.  Limited Practice Officer is under thier Rule 12, it does not require a JD.

copy&paste what you think the requirments are then, I read that (as I stated) a JD OR the internship

[jonlevy]

Here is Rule 12 again, your read the wrong program, this is for non lawyers who want to be LPOs.

http://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.display&group=ga&set=apr&ruleid=gaapr12

You obviously do not need a JD becuase this does not lead to being a lawyer.

The purpose of this rule is to authorize certain lay persons to
select, prepare and complete legal documents incident to the closing of real
estate and personal property transactions and to prescribe the conditions of
and limitations upon such activities.

[jonlevy]

Law clerk program is Rule 6.  Read statutes more carefully please.

[sollicitus]

ok. I admit my mistake. Thank you for the correction.

It dosn't list what its education requirments are (only that they exist)

I doubt someone could just roll into town and get it.

[jonlevy]

I think all you need is a BA (or less) and pass the exam since LPOs seem to function mainly as escrow officers.

[sollicitus]

I think all you need is a BA (or less) and pass the exam since LPOs seem to function mainly as escrow officers.

It's odd how they don't list it.