For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meaning:
(a)Paralegal. A paralegal is a person with education, training, or work experience, who works under the direction and supervision of an employing or supervising lawyer and who performs specifically delegated substantive legal work for which an employing or supervising lawyer is responsible.(b)Florida Registered Paralegal. A Florida Registered Paralegal is someone who meets the definition of paralegal and the requirements for registration as set forth elsewhere in these rules.(c)Paralegal Work and Paralegal Work Experience. Paralegal work and paralegal work experience are specifically delegated substantive legal work that is performed by a person with education, training, or work experience under the direction and supervision of an employing or supervising lawyer for which an employing or supervising lawyer is responsible. In order to qualify as paralegal work or paralegal work experience for purposes of meeting the eligibility and renewal requirements, the paralegal must primarily perform paralegal work and the work must be continuous and recent. Recent paralegal work for the purposes of meeting the eligibility and renewal requirements means work performed during the previous 5 years in connection with an initial registration, and during the preceding year in the case of a registration renewal. Time spent performing clerical work is specifically excluded.(d)Approved Paralegal Program. An approved paralegal program is a program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) or a program that is in substantial compliance with the ABA guidelines by being an institutional member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) and accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education.(e)Employing or Supervising Attorney. An employing or supervising lawyer is a member of The Florida Bar, authorized house counsel, foreign legal consultant, or military lawyer, as defined in the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, having direct supervision over the work product of the paralegal or Florida Registered Paralegal.(f)Board. The board is the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar.(g)Respondent. A respondent is the individual whose conduct is under investigation.(h)Designated Reviewer. The designated reviewer is a member of the board of governors appointed by the president of The Florida Bar from the district of the district paralegal committee and is responsible for review and other specific duties as assigned by the board of governors with respect to a particular district paralegal committee or matter. If a designated reviewer recuses or is unavailable, another board member from the district may be appointed by the president of The Florida Bar to serve as designated reviewer in that matter.(i)Probable Cause. A finding of probable cause is a finding that there is cause to believe that a Florida Registered Paralegal is guilty of misconduct justifying disciplinary action.(j)Bar Counsel. Bar counsel is a member of The Florida Bar representing The Florida Bar in any proceeding under these rules.Added November 15, 2007, effective 3/1/2008, (SC06-1622), (969 So.2d 360). Amended April 12, 2012, effective 7/1/2012 (SC10-1967); amended May 29, 2014, effective 6/1/2014 (SC12-2234), amended November 9, 2017, effective 2/1/2018 (SC16-1961).