Clearing a Path to a Law Career

The DCE Paralegal certificate program paved the way for John Kelly to discover his true calling as a corporate attorney.

Years ago, John Kelly was searching for a higher calling. Although he held a BA in Psychology, a discipline he was passionate about, he found himself unable to chart a suitable career path, one that nurtured a sense of purpose or a sustainable income stream.

He opted to work in hospitality to get by but still felt unfulfilled. In 2017, John decided it was time for a change. He chose to reset, return to school and obtain a graduate degree, but what should he study? Turns out he was attracted to law — a subject he knew very little about.

Gifted with a curious mind, John was intrigued. He wanted to explore its potential as a possible livelihood, though he admits his knowledge of the practice of law was limited to fictional accounts of attorney portrayed in TV and movies.

“Initially, I considered both business school and law school,” the DCE alum said. “I quickly realized that business school was not my cup of tea. Conversely, I knew absolutely nothing about the practice of law, which I found intriguing. My naivete regarding law sparked my interest in finding out how I might use the profession to transition into a job where I could provide, in my opinion, a beneficial service to others.”

He resolved to take the plunge, learn more about the legal field and see where it might take him, so he enrolled in the DCE Paralegal certificate program. It proved to be the first step in a life-changing journey.

Within a few quarters of study, he was inspired by the fact that the legal field spanned a wide range of specialties and career possibilities — much more than the dramatic courtroom scenes portrayed on screen — and that appealed to him. He also discovered rewarding ways to serve his community apart from litigation.

As is turned out, the Paralegal program led directly to an entry-level position as a file clerk at a local law firm, thanks to a recommendation from one of his instructors. He soon worked his way up to becoming a paralegal, where he gained a wealth of practical experience that ultimately paid dividends in law school.

Armed with practical experience and his DCE certificate, John was able to earn his law degree at Chapman University’s Fowler School of Law and pass the July 2023 California BAR Examination and eventually launch a new career as a transactional attorney.

“My practical experience gained as a paralegal, prior to attending law school, was the thing that most prepared me to complete law school,” he said. “And the Paralegal certificate program played a key role by offering a number of non-litigation classes, which were beneficial to people like me who have no interest in litigation.”

Today he practices corporate law at Grant Genovese & Baratta, LLP (GG&B), a full-service law firm in Irvine specializing in complex litigation and sophisticated transactional work. Aligning perfectly with his career goals, he assists clients with a wide range of business transactional matters, including corporate governance, business and succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, real estate purchases and sales, commercial leasing and serving as outside counsel for small businesses.

Exploring a career in law

The American Bar Association-approved DCE Paralegal certificate program prepares learners with a strong background in legal knowledge that spans a range of disciplines, all taught by instructors who are expert attorneys and paralegals.

Whether the goal is working as a paralegal in a corporate setting or law office, or preparing to apply for law school, students receive career preparation and prestigious certification that can open the door to a lucrative career in the legal field.

“I have to say the most advantageous thing to come out of my time at DCE was befriending my instructor, Kai Williamson,” explained John. “Kai helped me get my first job as a file clerk in a local firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions department. From there I was able to quickly work my way up to become a paralegal, where I developed considerable practical experience.”

Along with providing a solid academic background and real-world experience for his ascent in the legal field, John noted his Paralegal certificate afforded him a good deal of leverage in salary negotiations, as well.

“For someone like me who lacked the foundational knowledge of the law, the program is a great way to develop fundamental skills to make you a more well-rounded candidate for jobs,” he added.

“There are a number of wonderful instructors and professional contacts at the program that can help you find great job opportunities. That’s why I would recommend the program to anyone interested in a career in law.”

Learn more about the ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate Program.