Press Release: KEYSTONE ALLIANCE OF PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS FORMS REGULATION COMMITTEE

PRESS RELEASE

KEYSTONE ALLIANCE OF PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS FORMS REGULATION COMMITTEE

In 2016, the American Bar Association House of Delegates adopted Resolution 105, ABA Model Regulatory Objectives for the Provision of Legal Services, which could be used as a guide to assist the state’s highest courts when assessing regulatory framework related to non-traditional legal service providers. Since that time, many legal organizations within Pennsylvania have written to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and/or passed resolutions asking to participate in this process should the Court begin discussions on this topic, including members of the Keystone Alliance of Paralegal Associations (the “Keystone Alliance”). The Keystone Alliance has recently formed a Regulation Committee, consisting of members of the Keystone Alliance, chaired by Robert S. Hrouda, RP (former President of the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals and National Federation of Paralegal Associations and a paralegal at Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller in Philadelphia), to investigate ways other states, including but not limited to Washington, Utah and New York, are implementing programs to allow nonlawyers, with proper education and other requirements, to assist in bridging the gap to the access of justice for those underserved by traditional means.

The Keystone Alliance consists of delegates from the Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association, Chester County Paralegal Association, Delaware County Paralegal Association, Lehigh County Paralegal Association, Montgomery County Paralegal Association, the Philadelphia Association of Paralegals and the Pittsburgh Paralegal Association. The President of the Keystone Alliance is Catherine E. Wright, Pa.C.P., of the Central Pennsylvania Paralegal Association.