This year’s State of the Paralegal Profession presentation will highlight the diversity in regulation across the country and the varying approaches used to ensure competency and ethical standards within the profession. Michael Houlberg, Director of Special Projects at IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, will discuss lessons learned as states explore regulation. Michael will be joined this year by Nitasha Miller, an Arizona Legal Paraprofessional, will share details about her journey and current role as a Legal Paraprofessional.
The presentation will touch upon the evolving role of paralegals in the legal industry, emphasizing the increasing demand for specialized skills. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how regulation can impact career growth and professional development.
- Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Location: Zoom
- Cost: No charge for members, $10 for non-members
Michael Houlberg joined IAALS in 2018 after working for both private and nonprofit organizations. He started his legal career working with Towards Justice, a Colorado nonprofit organization that fights for workers who have experienced wage theft. Houlberg then transitioned to workers’ compensation defense with Pollart Miller, LLC, where he litigated claims on behalf of employers and insurance companies. Desiring to return to nonprofit work and help provide others with greater access to the courts, Houlberg joined the National Center for State Courts and worked on projects that involved the implementation of a statewide case management system and the creation of a juvenile court specifically tailored to youth involved in gun violence. He is excited to increase the reach of his work to both state and federal courts through his work at IAALS. Houlberg also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), which involved advocating for the safety and well-being of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect.
Houlberg graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2015. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Brigham Young University and is a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.”
Nitasha Miller is an Arizona Legal Paraprofessional (LP), licensed to represent clients in family law matters and limited jurisdiction criminal defense as outlined in
ACJA § 7-210, with an impressive 20-year track record of prior legal background and experience throughout both private and governmental (Federal, State and County) sectors of law. Nitasha was the 14th licensed in the State of AZ and holds the distinction of being the first – and currently the only – LP licensed to practice both family law and limited jurisdiction criminal defense. Recognized as a legal pioneer among her peers, she demonstrates expertise, skill and knowledge requisite to efficiently simplifying the litigation process while enhancing accessibility to legal representation and optimizing the effective utilization of clients' limited resources. Nitasha currently practices within her licensure and has a very active case load representing clients in a variety of matters with the Law Office of Daniel Hutto PLLC.
- Recently appointed to State Bar of Arizona, Access to Justice Committee
- Active Member of the Maricopa County Bar Association Board of Directors, Legal Paraprofessional Division
- Speaker/Panelist at the June 2023 Arizona Paralegal Association (APA) - Arizona State Supreme Court
- Featured Publication in January 2024 Arizona Attorney Magazine, Title: Expanding Access to Justice: Arizona Legal Paraprofessionals in Year 3
- Speaker/Panelist at the January 2024 Institute for Advancement of American Legal System (IAALS) / University of Denver