The introduction of Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals has shifted how family law firms in Colorado operate. It opened up a new lane for professionals who want to practice law without a full JD. You have likely seen firms scrambling to figure out how to integrate LLPs into their existing workflows. The biggest hurdle usually happens when a case leaves the desk and enters the courtroom.
Rule 207.1 gives LLPs a lot of authority. It also hands them a very specific set of handcuffs. If you are an LLP or a firm owner looking to maximize this role, you need to understand exactly where those limits are.
The Courtroom Ceiling
Most family law cases settle. We all know that. But when a case does go before a judge, the limitations on an LLP become sharp and immediate. The rules are designed to let LLPs handle the logistics and the arguments, but they draw a hard line at evidence handling through witnesses.
This creates a practical problem during a contested hearing. An LLP can prepare the case. They can stand up and tell the judge what the case is about. But the moment a witness takes the stand, the LLP has to sit down. They cannot ask questions or cross-examine anyone.
If a client hires an LLP for a case that turns into a high-conflict trial, that client eventually needs an attorney to step in just to handle the testimony. That breaks continuity. It raises costs. It creates a friction point that can frustrate the client and the legal team.
Green Light / Red Light: The Courtroom Breakdown
You need to know exactly what is on the table under C.R.C.P. 207.1. The distinction often surprises professionals who assume "limited license" means "limited to small cases." It actually means limited by specific actions.
Green Light: What an LLP Can Do
Sit at the counsel table with the client during hearings.
Answer questions directly from the judge regarding the case status or positions.
Make opening statements to frame the case.
Make closing arguments to summarize the position.
Enter offers of proof when testimony is not required.
Red Light: What an LLP Cannot Do
Examine a witness on the stand.
Cross-examine an opposing party or expert.
Make objections during witness testimony.
This list reveals the bottleneck. The inability to question witnesses effectively removes the LLP from the most critical part of a trial.
Why Collaborative Practice is the LLP Sweet Spot
In a Collaborative file, an LLP can handle the vast majority of the work. Aside from specific high-complexity exclusions (such as trusts, business entities, or illiquid assets), they manage the four-way meetings. They draft the separation agreement. They negotiate spousal maintenance and child support. They work directly with the financial neutral and the divorce coach. For the typical family law case, every single step of the Collaborative process falls squarely into the 'Green Light' category.
Maximizing the License
For LLPs, focusing on Collaborative Law allows for full case ownership. You are not handing the baton to a supervising attorney when things get heated. You remain the primary advocate from the initial consult to the final decree.
For firms, this is a utilization strategy. You can assign LLPs to Collaborative cases with confidence. They can run the file autonomously (under general supervision) without the risk of getting stuck in a procedural trap during a hearing. It makes the firm more efficient. It allows attorneys to focus on high-conflict litigation while LLPs build a robust, autonomous practice in the Collaborative space.
The limitations of Rule 207.1 are only a problem if you insist on fighting in court. If you change the venue to a conference room, those limitations disappear.
If you are an LLP looking to do more substantive work, or a firm owner trying to optimize your team, the Collaborative community is where this role truly thrives.
Ready to see how LLPs fit into the team? Join us at CCDP to access training, resources, and a network of peers who are building the future of family law.