April 16, 2025 IPA Monthly Meeting

Highlights:

• Diversity in Regulation: Discover the varying approaches across the country to ensure competency and uphold ethical standards within the profession.

• Expert Insights: Michael Houlberg, Director of Special Projects at IAALS (Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System), will share valuable lessons learned from states exploring regulation.

• Personal Journey: Nitasha Miller, an Arizona Legal Paraprofessional, will recount her unique journey and provide an inside look at her current role.

Topics Covered:

• Access to Justice issues across the country as well as Indiana. 
• The evolving role of paralegals in the legal industry.
• The impact of regulation on career growth and professional development.

Why Attend?

Gain a deeper understanding of how regulatory frameworks shape the paralegal profession and what that might mean for your career. Network with fellow professionals and learn from industry leaders about the latest trends and challenges.

Speakers: 

Michael Houlberg is the Director of Special Projects at IAALS, focusing on family justice and regulatory reform work, and promoting greater accessibility, efficiency, and fairness to everyone involved in the legal system. Houlberg leads our Allied Legal Professionals project, our work on unbundled legal services, and IAALS’ partnership on the Cady Initiative for Family Justice Reform.

Houlberg joined IAALS in 2018 after working for both private and nonprofit organizations. He started his legal career working with Towards Justice, a Colorado nonprofit organization that fights for workers who have experienced wage theft. Houlberg then transitioned to workers’ compensation defense with Pollart Miller, LLC, where he litigated claims on behalf of employers and insurance companies. Desiring to return to nonprofit work and help provide others with greater access to the courts, Houlberg joined the National Center for State Courts and worked on projects that involved the implementation of a statewide case management system and the creation of a juvenile court specifically tailored to youth involved in gun violence. He is excited to increase the reach of his work to both state and federal courts through his work at IAALS. Houlberg also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), which involved advocating for the safety and well-being of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect.

Houlberg graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2015. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Brigham Young University and is a member of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.

Nitasha Miller, Arizona Legal Paraprofessional (LP), licensed to represent clients in family law matters and limited jurisdiction criminal defense as outlined in ACJA § 7-210, with an impressive 20-year track record of prior legal background and experience throughout both private and governmental (Federal, State and County) sectors of law. Nitasha was the 14^th licensed paraprofessional in the State of AZ and holds the distinction of being the first – and currently the only – LP licensed to practice both family law and limited jurisdiction criminal defense. Recognized as a legal pioneer among her peers, she demonstrates expertise, skill, and knowledge requisite to efficiently simplify the litigation process while enhancing accessibility to legal representation and optimizing the effective utilization of clients' limited resources. Nitasha currently practices within her licensure and has a very active case load representing clients in a variety of matters with the Law Office of Daniel Hutto PLLC.  

Recently appointed to State Bar of Arizona, Access to Justice Committee

Active Member of the Maricopa County Bar Association Board of Directors, Legal Paraprofessional Division. 

Speaker/Panelist at the June 2023 Arizona Paralegal Association (APA) - Arizona State Supreme Court, Topic: Innovations in Justice: Arizona’s Legal Paraprofessional Program and Q&A Panel Discussion
Featured Publication in January 2024 Arizona Attorney Magazine, Title: Expanding Access to Justice: Arizona Legal Paraprofessionals in Year 3
Speaker/Panelist at the January 2024 Institute for Advancement of American Legal System (IAALS) / University of Denver, Topic: Legal Services Evolution: Comparing the Roles of Allied Legal Professionals & Federal Authorized Legal Representatives

Speaker/Panelist at the October 2024 Illinois Paralegal Association’s State of the Paralegal Profession, Topic: Allied Legal Professional Programs

MENU: TBD

* Let us know if you prefer a vegetarian option or have any other dietary restrictions.