paraprofessionals will be able to represent some clients

the book, “How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?” by Jane Yolen, in both English and Spanish.

“We are delighted to honor one of Mexico’s traditional holidays celebrating Day of Children,” said Jesse Martinez, executive director of the Mexican Cultural Center. “These activities are a great way for the community to come together to celebrate and honor children, and where parents to be a kid too.”

To learn more about this year’s Día del Niño events, visit mccdenver.org/dia-del-nino.

Nurture Your Inner Writer

at

Poetry: April 22, 2023

1:00pm–4:00pm

Lakewood Campus Room 1160

Write poems that leave a mark! Learn to explain less and transfer emotion and experience to the reader. All levels welcome.

Fiction: May 6, 2023

1:00pm–4:00pm

Lakewood Campus Room 1160

Write for each 3-hour workshop

Register Here: https://bit.ly/3R9NzRu sandra.sajbel@rrcc.edu

Questions?

BY PAOLO ZIALCITA COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO

e Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that licensed legal paraprofessionals without law degrees will be able to represent clients in certain cases.

Starting July 1, licensed legal paraprofessionals may le court documents and represent their clients in mediation during domestic cases involving divorce proceedings and child custody hearings. LLPs will also be able to accompany clients to court and answer a judge’s questions, but will be unable to present oral arguments or question witnesses.

e state Supreme Court’s decision was done in the hopes of making legal representation more widely available and more a ordable.

“Making it easier for people to secure legal representation in these often di cult matters has been a long-term goal of our commitment to ensuring access to justice for all Coloradans,” Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright said in a statement. “Allowing non-lawyers to provide limited legal representation for people who otherwise couldn’t a ord it will not only help those litigants, but it will help the courts e ciently and e ectively handle their cases.”

According to Colorado’s Judi- cial Branch, 74 percent of parties involved in domestic-related cases between July 2021 and June 2022 represented themselves. is story is from CPR News, a nonpro t news source. Used by permission. For more, and to support Colorado Public Radio, visit cpr.org

Prospective legal paraprofessionals will be subject to similar educational requirements as lawyers before they’re able to represent clients, as outlined by the new Rule 207 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.

First, applicants must either work the equivalent of three fulltime years in family law, or obtain certi cation, such as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, or a paralegal certi cate while completing a four-year degree program. ose who pursue their license through obtaining a degree must also work 1,500 hours in “law-related practical experience,” including 500 hours of experience in Colorado family law.

Applicants also have to pass several courses, including ones on ethics and professional conduct.

After those requirements are met, applicants have to pass a written exam administered by the O ce of Attorney Regulation Counsel. e rst LLPs could receive their licenses in July 2024. Colorado will be one of ve states who allow non-lawyers to practice limited law, joining Arizona, Minnesota, Oregon, and Utah.