About De Novo Law
Arizona’s First Legal Paraprofessional
Creating a New Standard in how Law is Practiced.
Meet Stephanie Villalobos, LP
Stephanie Villalobos was a young wife and mother of three children, with a dream of being in the FBI. Quickly realizing that it is probably not an ideal profession with small children, she turned to the legal field and began her education in Paralegal Studies. She has a deep passion for advocating for people and over the years has enjoyed helping clients during a very difficult time in their lives.
Mrs. Villalobos has been in the legal field, working alongside accomplished attorneys, for over 30 years, and for the last 15 years, has performed associate-level type work under the guidance and supervision of the attorneys.
In 2012, she became an Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparer and started her own paralegal business.
Even as a hobby, Stephanie really loves what she does, so she works a lot. In her downtime, she loves spending time with her family, especially the grandbabies. She also enjoys traveling, camping, reading, sometimes vegging, and (no judgment) …watching reality television. By doing so, she is able to “turn off her brain and just relax.” Otherwise, she is always thinking about work and clients. She quickly labels herself as “kind of a workaholic.”
With this new classification in the legal world, she is really excited to be able to help her family law clients in a higher capacity.
Professional Associations and Memberships:
State Bar of Arizona
Maricopa County Bar Association
Prior Certifications and Memberships:
Arizona Association of Independent Paralegals (AAIP)
Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparer (AZCLDP)
Real Client Reviews
“She was wonderful!!”
Hands down, Stephanie was absolutely awesome. She made the process so easy. She was wonderful!!
J.J.
“Personal Touch and Care”
The personal touch and care Stephanie gave to my case.
E.B.
“On top of things and very reliable.”
Stephanie was just on top of things and very reliable.
M.H.
“Stephanie made a stressful event go by so smoothly.”
“Stephanie made a stressful event go by so smoothly. She handled everything for me. The process was tailored to my needs and situation. Any time I had questions they were answered promptly.”
F.C.
“Great follow through and very professional.”
“Stephanie was amazing…great follow through and very professional.
S.H.
“Very thorough, and very responsive”
Stephanie is very efficient…and she really knew her stuff. She was amazing, very thorough, and very responsive.
E.J.
“Would definitely recommend”
Would definitely recommend. Stephanie made the whole thing so much easier than I thought it would be.
L.K.
“I loved how diligent Stephanie was”
I loved how diligent Stephanie was. She was on top of every detail. Paperwork came out at the exact time frame she told me it was going to. I couldn’t ask for more.
M.M.
“Stephanie is Amazing”
Everything was good and worked well for me and my family. Stephanie is amazing. If I need anything else, I’m going with her!
N.E.
The Benefits of a Legal Paraprofessional
How is a Legal Paraprofessional classification defined by the State?
“Legal Paraprofessional” (“LP”) means a non-lawyer licensed by the Arizona Supreme Court to provide limited legal services to clients, including representation in court, without the supervision of an attorney in the areas of law and within the scope of practice for which the LP has been endorsed.
How is an LP Different than a Typical Paralegal?
An LP is not a Paralegal. An LP is a new legal tier between a Paralegal and an Attorney. LPs are licensed to provide legal services without the supervision of an attorney, whereas a paralegal works under the supervision of an attorney.
A “paralegal” is defined by the State Bar of Arizona as a person with legal knowledge, training, and experience, who works “under the supervision of an attorney.”
Q&A of What a Paraprofessional Can Do
Q: Why is this new Legal Paraprofessional such a big change?
Arizona’s integration of the Legal Paraprofessional with traditional legal service providers (i.e., attorneys) has provided much-needed access to affordable legal services.
In the past, those individuals who did not have the resources to pay $300-$475 per hour for attorney fees essentially did not get the legal help they needed. Thankfully, now the Arizona community has options based on their legal needs and ability to afford them.
Legal Paraprofessional rates are essentially half of that of an attorney, and they are more likely to offer unbundled services and flat-fee retainers than would an attorney
Q: Can I get legal advice from an LP?
Yes! LPs are authorized to provide specific advice, opinions, and recommendations about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, and strategies, within the scope of practice that they are licensed, just like a family law attorney.
Q: Can an LP represent clients in a divorce or legal separation?
Yes, absolutely! An LP can handle all aspects of a divorce or legal separation, beginning to end, including drafting legal documents and representing you in court, just like an attorney.
Complex specialized areas such as the preparation of orders dividing retirement assets, the division of formal business entities, and appeals are however outside the scope of practice for an LP unless the legal paraprofessional has met additional qualifications. Interestingly, most attorney law firms do not provide such specialized services to clients and refer them out. We will be happy to refer you to a legal service provider specializing in these areas should such services be needed in your case.
Q: Can a LP handle child custody, parenting time and support issues?
Yes! We are licensed by the State Bar of Arizona to offer legal services in all domestic relations matters, including obtaining emergency orders, modifications, and enforcements, just like an attorney.
Q: Can an LP represent me in court and speak on my behalf?
Absolutely! An LP can act as your legal representative throughout your matter, just like an attorney. Without a doubt, this is probably one of the biggest reasons someone hires legal representation. It can be very overwhelming to present your case in court, especially if you do not know your rights.
Q: Can an LP help me negotiate settlement of my case?
Yes! An LP is authorized to negotiate on behalf of a client and assist in entering into legally binding agreements, just like an attorney.
Legal Professional & Attorney Endorsements
“I have never worked with a more experienced or knowledgeable paralegal”
“I have had the pleasure of working with Stephanie Villalobos through the last two years…. She worked with many different attorneys and clients on complex cases and was a crucial member of the team…. I have never worked with a more experienced or knowledgeable paralegal….
Over the last two years, she also watched carefully as the dream of becoming a legal practitioner became a reality…. She tested to become an LP and successfully became the first Legal Practitioner in the state. I feel fortunate to have worked with her and to have known her and wish her success, prosperity, and joy on her next adventure.”
Billie Tarascio
“Impressed back then by her knowledge, skill, and diligence.”
“I met Stephanie in 2003 and worked with her as a teammate at a small law firm…. I recall being impressed back then by her knowledge, skill, and diligence…. I have, and will always, value and admire Stephanie’s work ethic and confidence. Stephanie is proficient with assisting in all aspects of a case from start to finish and no task intimidates her. Stephanie has the drive and ability to finish projects quickly, efficiently, and by imposed deadlines.
Stephanie has always been my “go-to” for projects, even those that are complex. I rely on her skill and experience as well as her ability to problem-solve. Stephanie has a knack for analysis and reasoning and shows a true interest in our client’s cases.”
Amber L. Guymon, Esq.
Affordable and Experienced Family Law Legal Services
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Call Us Now to Speak with a Legal Paraprofessional
(480) 725-2200
De Novo Law, LLC
4140 E. Baseline Rd.,
Suite 101
Mesa, AZ 85206
DISCLAIMER: The content of this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. De Novo Law, LLC and its Legal Paraprofessionals are not attorneys and are not authorized to provide legal advice or representation beyond the areas and scope of practice for which license is held. The transmission or receipt of any electronic correspondence or information does not create a legal paraprofessional-client relationship.
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