GR 9 COVER SHEET

Suggested Amendments to

ADMISSION TO PRACTICE RULES (APRs)

APR 4, APR 5, APR 25.1, APR 25.2, APR 25.3, APR 28 Appendix 28

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A.        Name of Proponent:  Washington State Supreme Court

B.        Spokesperson:           Justice Charles W. Johnson, Supreme Court Rules Committee Chair on behalf of the court

C.        Purpose:       The Washington State Supreme Court voted by majority on July 8, 2020, to sunset the Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) program. Specifically, the court authorized: (1) an immediate reduction in the experience hours required of LLLT candidates from 3,000 hours to 1,500 hours; (2) allowance of LLLT candidates until July 31, 2022 to complete the experience hours requirement as long as the candidates have completed all other licensure requirements. The suggested amendments implement the majority vote of the court.

D.        Suggested Amendments:  

APR 4—Clarifies the LLLT applicant’s ability to repeat examinations until the final LLLT examination.

APR 5—Replaces the expiration of preadmission requirements to the July 31, 2022 end date.

APR 25.1—Restricts disbarred LLLTs from seeking reinstatement to practice.

APR 25.2—Restricts disbarred LLLTs who have their conviction reversed, when it was the LLLT’s sole basis of disbarment, from being able to have direct application for reinstatement as a LLLT.

APR 25.3—Removes LLLTs from the petition for reinstatement process after disbarment.

APR 28 Appendix 28 Regulation 3—Removes the requirement to complete the core courses prior to enrolling in the Domestic Relations practice area in accordance with Suprme Court Order 25700-A-1304 issued on August 6, 2020.

APR 28 Appendix 28 Regulation 4—Changes the definition of a “Limited Time Waiver” to remove the finite date, which exceeds the court’s vote to end LLLT candidate licensure. Changes the expiration of the waiver approval to incorporate the July 31, 2022 end date.

APR 28 Appendix 28 Regulation 10—Removes the ability for existing LLLTs to add additional practice areas.