North Carolina Supreme Court Holds First Practice Innovation Commission Meeting

This week, the Supreme Court of the North Carolina established a standing committed to address concerns about access to legal services. The Commission on Practice Innovation was created to evaluate expansion of legal service to designed legal deserts, areas with fewer than one attorney per one thousand residents. 

Justice Phil Berger Jr, who serves as a co-chair said, “North Carolina has an opportunity to join states across the country that are re-thinking how we train and license legal professionals. The old models were built for a different era, and I look forward to exploring how we can open more doors to the legal profession without compromising the quality of services.” 

The Commission will hold its first meeting on June 5, 2026, at the North Carolina State Bar headquarters in Raleigh in conjunction with the North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission.  

The Commission will examine licensure models from other jurisdictions, evaluate the regulatory framework for paralegals and paraprofessionals, and assess how alternative approaches could address unmet legal needs while protecting the public. Through this work, the Commission will look to provide recommendations to the legal community on potential regulatory changes.