Oregon’s first licensed paralegals were sworn in to the Oregon State Bar last week. They will be some of the first in the country to be able to provide certain kinds of legal assistance that once only a lawyer could do.

Ten of them were sworn in on Friday.

Their area of practice is limited to helping in family or landlord/tenant disputes. In those areas, where there has been a shortage of help available. Most people who go into court in family law cases — custody, divorce, child support — do not have a lawyer. That can be because of the cost. And licensed paralegals should be able to help fill that gap.

You can think of licensed paralegals as somewhat equivalent to nurse practitioners. They can do more things than paralegals. They have more training.

Licensed paralegals do have education requirements. They do have to adhere to the same ethical standards as lawyers.

The state of Washington did try such a program of licensed paralegals and abandoned it. Some lawyers in Oregon have been concerned that licensed paralegals, despite the added training they get, could get in over their heads. It might happen. The program must be monitored to ensure clients are getting good legal advice.

Finding a lawyer is the best option if a person needs legal help. Licensed paralegals may be able to help some people who can’t afford that.