On September 19, students and faculty from Middlesex Community College’s paralegal studies program attended the Paralegal Association of New Hampshire (PANH) Annual Meeting. During the event, students listened to lectures on legal topics and networked with professionals in the legal industry.

“I had such a great time at the PANH Annual Meeting,” said Jenn Perez, an MCC paralegal student, of Lowell. “Everyone in the association was so welcoming to us students and happy to answer any questions we had. The speakers gave interesting talks about topics that are going to have a big impact on the future of the industry.”

The PANH Annual Meeting provided MCC students with an inside look at the paralegal field, including expectations for paralegal professionals in the workplace. MCC students explored beneficial resources and case studies, helping them apply what they learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios.

“What stood out to me most was the ethics presentation by Attorney Jesse O'Neill on ‘Lessons from the Case of Harmony Montgomery,’” said Tafara Muchiuro, an MCC paralegal studies student, of Dracut. “It was eye-opening to have a seat to a discussion illustrating the complex challenges a lawyer faces and reinforced the absolute importance of maintaining strict ethical standards in law practice.”

During the event, Middlesex students also had an opportunity to meet and learn from professionals in the paralegal industry. MCC paralegal studies student Alezalee Ayala, of Lowell, appreciated hearing how professionals maintain a healthy work/life balance.

“Attending the annual meeting was my first real chance to connect with fellow professionals and learn from experts in the field,” Ayala said. “The personal development session stood out for its focus on overall well-being, which really resonated with me because it is important to remember to take care of ourselves in this demanding career. It reminded me of the important role we play as paralegals in supporting the legal community and why ongoing learning matters.”

Several PANH members serve as career mentors and on MCC’s Paralegal Advisory Board. This helped build a close working relationship between MCC and PANH, according to Scot Gabriel, MCC’s Chair of the Paralegal Studies Program.

“I was happy to bring a cohort of students to represent MCC at the PANH’s Annual Meeting,” Gabriel said. “Our students had the opportunity to engage in several presentations on a myriad of legal topics, including new developments in Immigration Law, Gender Identity, and Legal Technology.”

In addition to the PANH Annual Meeting, MCC’s paralegal studies program visited the Massachusetts Paralegal Association (MPA) 50th Annual Meeting Gala in Boston on October 16. Featuring an appearance by Mass. Attorney General Andrea Campbell, the gala provided an opportunity for students to network with other paralegals, attorneys, law clerks, legal assistants and more.

MCC’s Paralegal Program is an American Bar Association-approved and fully online program that teaches students to research legal issues, draft legal documents, and prepare for trial. Professors are licensed attorneys and practitioners who connect students to professionals within the industry to help support students’ future careers.

Learn more about MCC’s legal studies and public service programs.