Did you know that there is an industry in california where non-lawyers can be paid for providing assistance in legal matters? Its true. These professionals are called Legal Document Assistants (LDA) and, after they obtain a LDA Bond, are free to offer their services across the state.
California is a vast and complex place. With a legal code that reflects its complexity and enormity. Furthermore, California is a highly litigious state. A recent article by the Bay Area NBC affiliate’s investigative team indicates that California has far more lawsuits regarding the enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) than any other state. (see:http://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/California-Outpaces-Other-States-in-ADA-Lawsuits-disability-act-246193931.html for the full story) And not everyone elects to pay for represetation and choose to represent themselves. Luckily for them LDA’s are available to help conduct research or otherwise assist in the trial preparation.
Defined by CA Business and Professions code 6400(c) a LDA as:Any person who is not exempted under Section 6401 and who provides, or assists in providing, or offers to provide, or offers to assist in providing, for compensation, any self-help service to a member of the public who is representing himself or herself in a legal matter, or who holds himself or herself out as someone who offers that service or has that authority. This paragraph does not
apply to any individual whose assistance consists merely of secretarial or receptionist services.
The secretary of state requires all Legal Document Assistants to procure the above-mentioned LDA bond so that prospective clients have feel confident that they are working with trustworthy professionals.
For helpful information on LDA’s see the California Association of Legal Document Assistance website: http://calda.org/. And for more information about the LDA Bond process please contact the Surety Bond experts at Jurisco and one of their helpful staff will answer any questions about rates, applications and more.