e. Continuing Legal Education. Various training courses and programs of value to Coast Guard
Legal Technicians & Paralegals are available via local bar associations, colleges, paralegal
associations, etc. This is particularly true for work in the legal assistance practice area. Legal
offices shall endeavor to provide assigned yeomen with opportunities to attend such courses as
funding and workload permit. Completion of these programs may often be applied to training
and education requirements needed for L5 designation.
f. Specialized CG Legal Training. The Chief Counsel may develop specialized courses for legal
technicians that will be available on an occasional basis or via computer based training. The
Office of Legal Policy and Program Development (G-LPD) will provide details of these courses.
7. DESIGNATIONS.
a. Legal Technician (L1). Upon graduation from the NJS CG Legal Technician Course, the Chief
Counsel will designate graduates as "Coast Guard Legal Technicians." No application is
necessary. Yeomen requesting waiver from the NJS course requirement due to prior experiences
and qualification should forward their request via the chain of command to Commandant (G-
LPD).
b. Court Reporter (L2). The Chief Counsel will approve the L2 competency upon successful
completion of the NJS Court Reporter course. Yeomen requesting waiver from the NJS course
due to completion of an equivalent course should forward their request via the chain of command
to Commandant (G-LPD). Yeomen possessing the 02 Qualification Code shall be assigned the
L2 competency without need for further qualification.
c. Paralegal (L5). Yeomen who have completed a formal course of instruction leading to a
paralegal certificate, undergraduate degree or advanced degree in paralegal studies; or who have
completed a DoD JAG Corps program deemed equivalent, may request designation as a Coast
Guard Paralegal and assignment of the L5 competency. Requests should be made to
Commandant (G-LPD), via the chain of command and should provide evidence of a paralegal
certification or degree. Yeomen seeking Paralegal certification based on prior training and
experience should detail that experience, training, education, etc. in a request to the Chief
Counsel, Office of Legal Policy and Program Development (G-LPD). The request will be
evaluated using current ABA standards for paralegal certification.
8. ASSIGNMENTS. Designation as a Legal Technician or Paralegal does not guarantee assignment to
a legal office or staff, but is intended to reflect skill and experience competencies, which may be
considered when assignment decisions are made. These designations reflect legal skill and
experience competencies within the traditional yeomen rate.
9. POLICY QUESTIONS. Questions concerning the material in this instruction or recommendations
for changes should be directed to Commandant (G-LPD).
ROBERT F. DUNCAN
Chief Counsel
Encl: (1) Skills & Competencies Required for Legal Technician
(2) Skills & Competencies Required for Paralegal
4
Previous Page
