Source: https://www.sfpa.com/regulation
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 10:11:53+00:00

Document:
California was the first state to pass legislation defining the paralegal profession.
This legislation, AB 1761, added Business and Professions Code sections 6450 et al. to the books. A list of case law and statutes that govern the paralegal profession in California appears below.
California paralegal educational programs, considered nonlaw schools, are not subject to the oversight and regulation of the California State Bar Examining Committee.
California Business and Professions Code sections 6400 et al., regarding legal document assistants and unlawful detainer assistants, does not apply to California paralegals.
Individuals who obtain (1) a certificate of completion from a paralegal program that is institutionally accredited but not approved by the American Bar Association, and that requires successful completion of a minimum of 24 semester units, or the equivalent, in legal specialization courses, or (2) a certificate of completion from a paralegal program approved by the American Bar Association are eligible to apply for registration as a legal document assistant.
Please see "What is a Paralegal?" for more information about California Business and Professions Code sections 6450 et al.
For any order issued in resolution of a disciplinary proceeding in this article, "reasonable costs" shall include, but not be limited to, paralegal fees and costs, including salary, travel, and other expenses attributable to hours expended on the case by employees of the Office of the Attorney General and the Department.
Permits attorneys to conservators and guardians of an estate to be compensated, pursuant to an order fixing and allowing compensation for services rendered by a paralegal in filling an account of the administration of the deceased, incapacitated, or absconding guardian or conservator.
Permits attorneys to conservators and guardians of an estate to be compensated, pursuant to an order fixing and allowing compensation, for services rendered by a paralegal in the ordinary course of business.
Permits attorneys to conservators and guardians of an estate to be compensated, pursuant to an order fixing and allowing compensation for extraordinary services rendered by a paralegal determined by the court to be "just and reasonable."
Fourth Appellate District awarded paralegal fees under Code of Civil Procedure § 1021.5.
First Appellate District awarded paralegal fees under Code of Civil Procedure § 1021.5.
Fourth Appellate District affirmed the lower court's dismissal but remanded the matter of determining reasonable paralegal fees and confirmed an award of the same under Code of Civil Procedure § 411.35. Fourth Appellate District held that an award of attorney's fees that did not compensate for paralegal fees would not fully compensate the attorney. The legislative intent of attorney's fees statutes were also examined and considerable case law supported the idea that attorney's fees encompassed paralegal fees as well.
Second Appellate District awards paralegal fees under Code of Civil Procedure § 1021.5.
Paralegal fees incurred in preparation of official record were properly awarded under Public Resources Code § 21167.6.
Fourth Appellate District awards paralegal fees under Code of Civil Procedure § 1036.
Second Appellate District awards paralegal fees under Code of Civil Procedure § 1021.5. The Court noted the award of paralegal fees had become commonplace in California.

References: § 1021
 § 1021
 § 411
 § 1021
 § 21167
 § 1036
 § 1021