Washington State has now licensed its first LLLT's. After meeting a variety of educational and training requirements, these individuals will now be able to deliver certain family law services. Other practice areas, and other states, are likely to follow. The Illinois Bar Journal has published a good article featuring voices in support of, and opposing, the LLLT concept.
I first studied this concept while serving on the ABA's Task Force on the Future of Legal Education (Paula Littlewood, who is featured in the IBJ story, was also on the Task Force). I tend to think that authorizing some form of limited licence practitioners is a positive way to extend legal services to those who cannot afford them, much as nurse practitioners function in the medical field. However, I am not convinced that Washington has required enough training of LLLT's (far less than nurse practitioners receive).
note: I have edited this post to remove an inaccurate statement about Washington's LLLT requirements and to include a link to that program. Thanks to Andrew Perlman.