Lawyers in Washington State can now jointly own a law firm with non-lawyers known as limited license legal technicians. The move comes after the Supreme Court approved rules by the bar association to change the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct.  The order allows lawyers and limited license legal technicians to 'practise in a jointly owned firm or business structure’ as well as share fees and form partnerships. The quasi- alternative business structure is a small step on the path to liberalising the US legal profession.  

No majority share

Limited license legal technicians (LLLT) were established by Washington in 2012 and allowed to handle certain limited legal work such as family law matters subject to acquiring training accreditations. They do not have to be supervised by a lawyer and can be part owners of a law firm. However, they cannot have a majority ownership share in a law firm or supervise qualified lawyers.