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Saving the Clark College paralegal program

135 Comments

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Tina Swab
10 years ago

A program such as this should not be cut. As a Paralegal with 20 years experience, it is important for those, who wish to follow in our footsteps, to have a program such as this. If anything, there needs to be more classes added to the program. Clark College and the Legal Community would benefit from them.

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Brittany Sund
10 years ago

I graduated from the program in 2007 and have had a wonderful career as a paralegal in our local legal community. I'm so grateful for the opportunities and connections the Clark College Paralegal Program has afforded me. The connection between students and teachers, many if which are local judges, attorneys and paralegals, is priceless. Our legal community continues to grow and it's imperative that we have legal staff that is prepared to start work immediately after graduation.

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Judith Zeider
10 years ago

Now is precisely the wrong time to eliminate the Clark College Paralegal Program. Paralegals and limited license practictioners provide an important support for access to justice for moderate and low income persons. The Washington State Bar Association is leading the nation on authorizing limited practice licenses for non-attorneys. See: http://www.wsba.org/Licensing-and-Lawyer-Conduct/Limited-Licenses As the limited license program expands, there will be more not less opportunity for persons who do not want to go to law school to serve the legal needs of moderate and low income persons. The Clark College Paralegal Program and other paralegal programs provide a stepping stone to limited license practice as well as reducing costs for providing legal services to a broad range of clients. I urge Clark College to reconsider eliminating the Paralegal Program at this critical time in the state's efforts to achieve equal access to legal justice.

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Deborah Hartsoch
10 years ago

I sign this petition along-side of many judges and attorneys (active & retired), legal staff and paralegals of the community, private businesses, and our valuable (current & future) graduates. The Paralegal program, which I understand generates revenue for Clark College and internships in our community, is vital to legal profession. Eliminating it will be detrimental to a variety of public and private sectors ranging from courts to law firms to a variety of in house legal offices especially during a time when the need for quality legal staff/Paralegals is on the rise. The fact that Clark College is on the ABA approved path is a huge bonus to the college, graduates, and employers alike especially with the new Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) enacted. I have had the honor of attending the program, enjoy refresher courses, and have had the pleasure of working with graduates of the program. Please do not eliminate the program! Deborah L. Hartsoch, CRP

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Sonya Passannante
10 years ago

I am relying on Clark's paralegal program to prepare me for entry into the paralegal field and re-entry into the workforce after divorce and many years as a stay-home mom. Although I have my own interests in the program continuing, I also realize how vital the program is to the community. Paralegals make legal services more affordable, and Clark's program does an exceptional job preparing individuals for legal service in Clark and Multnomah Counties. Please keep this vital program.

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Julianne Heil
10 years ago

This programs is very important to me. As an employee with Clark County Prosecutors office, the classes that Clark offers in the Paralegal program are helping me to advance my career. Please don't let this program be cancelled!!

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Bridget Carbello
10 years ago

I believe that if you were to cast off a program that can only help the legal system you are making a mistake. There are programs that are bogus out there that are taking people's money and then leaving them high and dry.A program that is ligament is needed so please consider leaving this in place. Thank you for your time.

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Robbin McCollum
10 years ago

This program is the only reason why I am attending Clark College right now. I even put off selling my home because I wanted to stay in Vancouver to be able to be closer to the college and be a part of the program in a more beneficial way. I want to graduate from this program because it offers so much more than any other paralegal program offered at surrounding schools. The curriculum is taught extremely well, the staff consists of highly trained, educated and experienced members of the legal community, and the students are highly dedicated individuals. If you cut this program you would be doing a disservice to our community, staff, and most of all, the students. Many students, along with faculty, have made incredible sacrifices to be a part of this program and for you to cut it would be unjust.

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Layne Russell, Paralegal Program Director
10 years ago

The Paralegal Program is a vital program to Clark College's service area, as it provides excellent job opportunities at good pay for individuals seeking self-improvement, empowerment, and community service. The Program is unique, economically sound; its adjunct faculty are the best; its students are excellent! Nothing would be gained in its elimination, but legal employers and future legal employees would greatly suffer.

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Josh Eiseman
10 years ago

This program is so important!

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Lisa Peterson
10 years ago

Please do not cut this program. There is little else, if anything, like it available to Clark County residents.

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Courtney Himes
10 years ago

I am a former Clark paralegal program participant. It is amazing program that equips students with the skills of practical application. The program was an attainable step to entry into the legal field for me, a single mother at the time. I loved working as a paralegal in Clark County, but decided to challenge myself even further. I am currently a first year law student at a local law school. If the paralegal program was not available at Clark College I can guarantee I would not be where I am today. I intend to return to Clark County where I will look to Clark's paralegal program to find a qualified, competent paralegal. Please do not cut this program.

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Curtis Welch
10 years ago

Please keep this very important program. My firm has hired paralegals from the program, and the knowledge and skills they have gained from having completed the program is very apparent.

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McKenzie Joner
10 years ago

As a student in the Clark paralegal program, I'm counting on this program to equip me for my future in the legal field. There's nothing like this program anywhere else that's nearby. Please don't cut it.

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Chris Rounds
10 years ago

Most attorneys don't have the time or resources to train paralegals from the ground up. Please do not cut this program.

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Tammy Burks
10 years ago

I think it would be a dis-service to not only the paralegal students but to the community to not have this program available at Clark College. It is a quality program and has been relied upon our legal profession. Keep this program available for our future of profession paralegals.

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Anastasiya
10 years ago

Please save the paralegal program!

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Emily Slebos
10 years ago

Please keep the paralegal program!

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karen orlowski
10 years ago

please keep this program, it is greatly needed.

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Evelyn martines
10 years ago

Vote to save