Bill > HB4473

This bill grants the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals the authority to create rules allowing nonlawyers to practice law in a limited capacity, functioning as "limited license legal practitioners." To guide this process, a Task Force for Limited License Legal Practitioners will be established, comprised of representatives from the West Virginia State Bar Association, West Virginia University College of Law, Marshall University, the West Virginia Law Institute, and a Circuit Judge. This task force is charged with examining and recommending whether individuals who are not fully licensed attorneys, but possess specific qualifications, should be permitted to offer legal services in certain areas. Their recommendations will cover crucial aspects such as the certification process, including registration, examinations administered by a designated entity, the scope of practice and professional responsibility covered by the exam, and the validity of exam results. The task force will also consider prerequisites for entering the certification program, such as application requirements, prior education, minimum age, and character and fitness evaluations, potentially offering alternative paths for those with relevant educational experience like a Master's degree or paralegal certification. Initially, the areas of practice for these limited practitioners would include child abuse and neglect proceedings, mental hygiene proceedings, and other areas of civil litigation, with the task force also tasked with defining the specific services they can provide, outlining implementation processes, assessing costs, and establishing timelines. Furthermore, the task force will identify necessary changes to the Rules of Professional Conduct to accommodate these practitioners and establish a system for handling complaints against them.

Justice

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4473&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill