Legal assistants are employed in a wide variety of legal settings and play an ever-increasing role in providing cost-effective and efficient legal services. However, regulation of paralegals has been non-existent or inconsistent, although the topic continues to be a significant problem. Across the country, advocates advocate for bar associations, state legislatures and courts to consider regulatory programs that go beyond simply defining the term "Paralegal." Federally required licensing of paralegals would foster future growth and development of the professional field and address the controversial issues surrounding it. Paralegals continue to take on new responsibilities in law offices and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. Through formal education, training and experience, paralegals have knowledge and skills related to the legal system and legal procedures, which qualify them to work under the supervision of an attorney. In addition to preparing legal documents, contracts, and other legal materials, a paralegal may also interview witnesses and conduct legal research. The most important job a paralegal can have is helping an attorney prepare for hearings, trials, and meetings. Although a paralegal is trained to perform the same tasks as lawyers, they are explicitly prohibited from performing tasks considered to be within the scope of legal practice, such as setting legal fees, providing legal advice, presenting signed documents to the court, and presenting cases in court. Paralegals are an essential part of today's legal practice; Additionally, a competent paralegal can improve a law firm's profitability and delivery of legal services. With these new responsibilities comes a higher level of demand and respect. In turn...... half of the document......ttp://www.nhbar.org/publications/archives/display-journal-issue.asp?id=148Robert E. Mongue, JA (2010 , July 19). The Empowered Legal Assistant » Blog Archive » If it smells bad there, it will stink here too.. The Empowered Legal Assistant. Retrieved April 17, 2011, from http://theempoweredparalegal.com/?p=1202Durgin, C.R. (n.d.). Getting Legal with Paralegals: A Look at State Regulations. American Bar Association. Retrieved April 17, 2011, from http://apps.americanbar.org/buslaw/blt/2007-01-02/durgin.shtmlVicki Voisin, CLAS, PN (1998, December 14). Legal assistant licensing and government regulation issues. License issues. Retrieved April 17, 2011, from www.nala.org/licissues.htmParalegals seek to be licensed and regulated by the Bar. (2010, September 13). Florida Bar News, p. n/a.http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=531868