Advocating With Compassion: Janet Price’s Journey As An LLP

Janet: A desire to help others.  I have worked, and volunteered, in family law matters for 18 years.  Becoming an LLP allowed me to expand what I did to include providing legal advice and further guidance, like attending mediation and hearings, with a client.

Janet: As an LLP I can handle a full range of uncomplicated family law matters.  This includes divorces, with or without children, including common law marriages; cases where parents are unmarried but need to organize a parenting plan or to establish child support; modification of parenting time orders or child support; obtain protection orders; name changes; and motions for remedial contempt.

Janet: An LLP can perform many of the same tasks that an attorney would undertake in uncomplicated family law cases.  However, during a case, an issue such as the need to hire an expert to value an asset or the preparation of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order comes up.  If an issue should arise that is outside my scope of practice as an LLP, one of several attorneys at Modern Family Law can step in.  Additionally, there are some things that an LLP cannot handle at all, such as preparation or litigation of a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement, a matter where one of the parties has a trust that is relevant to the resolution of the case, or legal issues collateral to, but that directly affect a case such as immigration, bankruptcy, and criminal issues.  Such matters would need to be addressed by an attorney.

Janet: The legal process can be daunting, so I take a compassionate approach to working with clients.  I explain the process, provide legal advice, and keep an open ear.  Through constant communication, I explain documents and orders and outline the next steps.  I stay current on changes to the law through continuing legal education so that I can better advise my clients.  I belong to professional associations that allow me to collaborate with other LLPs and attorneys about trends and changes in the law.

Janet: An LLP must adhere to similar ethical rules that an attorney does.  All my communications with a client are done on a secure platform.  Any documents or other data received from a client is stored in a secure location and is not voluntarily revealed without the client’s consent.  With the knowledge that information is securely maintained and not shared without consent, a client can trust that the information needed to resolve their issue can be freely shared with me.

Janet: One of the biggest benefits of working with an LLP is the cost-effectiveness.  An LLP has the training and knowledge required to bring a case to resolution, at a lower billable rate than an attorney.  Using an LLP, whose billable rate is lower than an attorney, allows an individual who does not otherwise have the resources to obtain access to legal representation.

Janet: Working in family law can, at times, be mentally draining.  Clients are going through a very emotional process.  Learn to advocate for your clients without personally taking on their problems.  As you study to become an LLP knowing the law and legal concepts is important.  But don’t lose sight of the human side of every case.  Search out information that addresses ways to work with that stress.  Find reliable resources that you can recommend to clients.  Trust in yourself and seek out a mentor who can be a sounding board.  Then go for it!

Janet: Helping clients feel heard and respected as they move through their cases.  Clients are dealing with circumstances that will deeply impact their future.  I want to be their compassionate advocate.

Caroline: Is there anything else you would like to share about your role as an LLP or about the LLP program at Modern Family Law?

Janet: Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals are new to the Colorado legal profession and Modern Family Law has fully embraced them.  Working as an LLP at Modern Family Law means that I am part of a collaborative team that specializes in family law matters.  Should a complex issue arise that an LLP is unable to address, the client can feel secure knowing that there are attorneys and other resources available within the firm.