October 22, 2024

Unlocking Justice: ASU Law’s Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Paraprofessional Program bridges the legal gap in Arizona

Through the dedication of its students and the vision of its leaders, the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is not just educating legal professionals; it's reshaping the fabric of legal accessibility and empowerment, one paraprofessional at a time.

Spearheaded by Chief Justice Ann Timmer (alum, JD ‘85), the Arizona Supreme Court approved the Legal Paraprofessional Program in February 2021, marking a groundbreaking shift in the legal landscape.

In a state with 2.1 lawyers per 1,000 residents, the program aims to address the shortage of lawyers in Arizona by allowing non-lawyers to offer limited legal services.

"Frankly, we don't have enough attorneys in Arizona. We're ranked 49th out of 50 in the United States for the number of attorneys per capita," said Timmer. "And as you reach the rural areas, things become even more dire as far as access to anyone with legal knowledge."

Following the program's approval and recognizing the pressing need for accessible legal services, ASU Law launched the Arizona Legal Paraprofessional emphasis as part of its Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program.

This emphasis, which offers both full-time and part-time options with the flexibility of in-person and online learning, provides students access to expert faculty and curricular resources. It effectively prepares them to take the paraprofessional test after graduation and obtain their license to practice law without being an attorney.

After obtaining a license, legal paraprofessionals can provide legal advice and assistance to clients in the permitted practice areas, including family law, juvenile court, civil law (limited jurisdiction), criminal (limited jurisdiction, where no jail time is involved) and state administrative law (as permitted by agencies).

Students who select this emphasis, whether aspiring legal practitioners or professionals seeking to deepen their legal understanding, share a common goal: to serve and make a difference.

With a passion for law ignited in childhood and fueled by personal experiences, Layla Barnett, an MLS student with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from ASU, represents the future.

"Law has always interested me. When I was seven years old, I used to sneak around to watch Law and Order," Barnett reminisced. "I also learned a lot about criminal psychology in my BA."

However, her journey in the MLS program is more than academic; it's a mission to give voice to the voiceless, underscoring the program's role in nurturing the next generation of legal advocates. 

"I've seen how hard it is to get legal help. I want to advocate for people who go through things that are out of their control," she said.

While she currently oversees a customer care team at State Farm, Barnett is determined to practice the law one day and views the MLS paraprofessional program as that first opportunity. She looks forward to making a difference as a licensed paraprofessional after graduation. 

"I really want to be a lawyer, and this is one step in my journey. With my current career, doing the MLS paraprofessional program makes the most sense. I'm really excited," Barnett said.

Lucas Woyton is an ASU Law paraprofessional alum who spent over 10 years in the U.S. Marines.

After realizing through firsthand experience a few years back that the ability to pay a lawyer's fees often determined whether the truth would be uncovered, Woyton became motivated to provide affordable legal representation for those who cannot afford a lawyer. He knew earning his MLS degree from ASU Law would empower him to do just that.

“When I found out I could complete the Legal Paraprofessional licensure requirements in about a year, I knew it was something I owed to the community,” he said.

Woyton, who worked part-time as a paralegal at a local law firm before graduating in the fall of 2023, credits his success in the program to its emphasis on experiential learning. "If it weren't for the hands-on experience, I know I wouldn't have done so well."

Similar to Woyton's story, ASU Law alum Heather Ashworth pursued a legal paraprofessional degree to make a positive impact in her community.

Her interest was sparked by the mission of the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit organization committed to addressing issues related to mass incarceration and excessive punishment and challenging racial and economic injustice. This inspired Ashworth to pursue her legal paraprofessional license and focus on helping those wrongly convicted or those without effective legal representation. 

"I came to ASU Law wanting to learn about contracts and found my passion, where I could continue to develop in my current role while working toward a credential that will allow me to help others and exact positive change," she said. 

ASU Law's MLS paraprofessional program empowers students and alumni to make meaningful changes in their communities, whether through a career change, like Woyton, or by advocating for the underserved, like Ashworth and Barnett.

"The feedback that I've gotten from [legal paraprofessionals] is that it's not only personally exhilarating for them to be able to take that next step, but it's also very gratifying to be in that position representing people who otherwise would not be represented," said Timmer.

ASU Law is hosting a webinar on Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. for those interested in learning more about the Masters of Legal Studies program. To register, visit asu.zoom.us/webinar/register.

Practice AZ law without becoming a lawyer

Written by Andrea Estrada