Florida Paralegal v. Nonlawyer

What’s in a Name?

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Florida Paralegal v. Nonlawyer
What’s in a Name?

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If you prepare legal documents for Florida consumers --- everything.

It would be simple and obvious to refer to ourselves as paralegals, unfortunately it is forbidden. In Florida, legal practitioners who prepare documents for consumers, may not legally refer to themselves as “paralegals”; not even as “independent paralegals”.

Florida Paralegal Defined

The preferred term, according to the Florida Bar Association, is “nonlawyer”. I have a problem with that term for a few different reasons. First, it always comes up with a red squiggly line under it on my spell check. Webster and Microsoft agree with me, that it isn’t a real word; it also doesn’t appear in my copy of Black’s Law Dictionary.

Second, nonlawyer doesn’t define anything. I have a difficult time drawing the Venn diagram that would explain it. Using the term nonlawyer to define legal document preparers is like calling a zebra a nonhorse. True enough, but what is it?

The Rule of Law

Members of a powerful group naming and thereby defining members of a less powerful group has been a technique used throughout history for the powerful to remain powerful. We only need to look as far as the terminology surrounding racism or feminism to realize that this is so.

Nonlawyer Discrimination?

Feminists and members of minority groups pushed for the changes in our language; choosing to name and define themselves rather than have others do it for them. So am I saying, stand up and fight for the right to use the word paralegal? No, not really, I’ve learned to choose my battles.

Florida LDPs v. Florida Paralegals

For your own protection, and to avoid harassment from the Florida Bar Association use a different term. “Legal document preparer” seems to pass muster. A consumer complaint is not required for the Florida Bar Association to initiate an investigation against you for the unlicensed practice of law.

Believe it or not, the Florida Bar Association, has the time, resources, and energy to troll the internet for legal document preparers who make the mistake of referring to themselves as “paralegals”. The Florida Bar Association has the largest budget in the country, of any state Bar Association, for enforcement and prosecution of the unlicensed practice of law.

Forewarned is forearmed

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