[RSA 311:2-a repealed by 2022, 194:1, effective January 1, 2025.]
311:2-a Legal Services by Paraprofessionals. –
I. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a paraprofessional may represent another person in matters pursuant to RSA 173-B, RSA 458, RSA 458-A, RSA 458-B, RSA 458-C, RSA 458-D, RSA 458-E, RSA 459, RSA 461-A, RSA 540, RSA 540-A, and RSA 633:3-a, III-a through III-d provided that:
(a) The paraprofessional is employed or retained by and acting under the supervision of an attorney admitted to practice under RSA 311:2, which attorney shall carry professional liability insurance with reasonable coverage limits;
(b) The paraprofessional has either a bachelor's degree in any field or an associate's degree in a law-related field; and at least 2 years of work experience in a law-related setting with attorney supervision;
(c) The person represented receives written notice that the paraprofessional is a non-attorney acting under the supervision of an attorney admitted to practice under RSA 311:2, including the attorney's name, prior to the commencement of the representation;
(d) In any pleading filed with any court, the paraprofessional discloses that the paraprofessional is a non-attorney acting under the supervision of an attorney admitted to practice under RSA 311:2, including the attorney's name; and
(e) The person represented has household income no greater than 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines at the commencement of representation.
II. Paraprofessional representation provided pursuant to paragraph I may be provided only in the 9th Circuit Court - District Division - Manchester, the 9th Circuit - Family Division - Manchester, the 1st Circuit - District Division - Berlin, the 6th Circuit Court - District Division - Franklin, the 6th Circuit Court - Family Division - Franklin, and the 1st Circuit - Family Division - Berlin.
III. Each attorney supervising a paraprofessional providing representation pursuant to this section shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the paraprofessional's conduct is compatible with the professional obligations of the attorney, including the New Hampshire Rules of Professional Conduct, particularly Rule 5.3 pertaining to responsibilities regarding nonlawyer assistance.
IV. The supreme court may promulgate such rules as may be necessary to regulate the conduct of paraprofessionals.