A divided American Bar Association has passed a resolution to create model rules for states that want to license non-lawyers to provide legal services. On one hand, the measure would allow more states to follow the lead of Washington and Utah in allowing non-attorneys to help pro se litigants in some types of matters and in trying to close the access to justice gap. On the other hand, some lawyers, including the leaders of the ABA's Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division, think that the measure could cost solo practitioners clients and their livelihood. Michael Bologna, writing on Forbes, says that the ABA adopted "10 standards states should incorporate into licensing rules, professional certification processes and training curriculums being created for non-attorney legal professionals." William Johnston, head of the Delaware Bar Association, said, "'There are substantial unmet legal needs that are not being met by members of the organized bar,"' The Am Law Daily's Susan Beck reports.
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