Texas Lawmakers Warn Court on Paralegal Services ‘Grave Mistake’

Weeks before the Texas Supreme Court paused a plan—championed by then Chief Justice Nathan Hecht—to let paralegals practice law in limited circumstances, four high ranking members of the state Legislature warned the court against the idea.

“Allowing individuals that are not licensed attorneys to provide legal services to vulnerable, low-income Texans on the most impactful issues involving their personal lives and financial well-being is a grave mistake,” the letter said.

Further, only the Legislature—not the courts—can decide who is authorized to practice law in Texas, the legislators said.

The letter reveals new details about the proposal’s 11th-hour breakdown, one that ...