ESCC's paralegal program approved by ABA

The paralegal program at Enterprise State Community College is now one of two community college programs approved by the American Bar Association.

The program has been available to students at ESCC since 1995, according to paralegal studies instructor and program coordinator Lydia Dillingham.

Dillingham said it is important to offer programs, like paralegal studies, to students to "enhance the community" and the state.

"It is important that we offer viable career-tech programs that enhance the community and the State of Alabama," Dillingham said. "One of the primary goals of the paralegal program is to prepare students to become effective employees who improve the administration of justice. Learning both procedural and substantive law that falls in line with ABA standards allows our graduates the ability to offer a more expert work product, adhere to required ethical standards, and aid in expediting efficient legal services to our community and the state of Alabama at large."

According to an ESCC press release, to obtain approval from the ABA, "a program of education must demonstrate that its program is consistent with sound educational content, policies, procedures, substantive and practical legal curriculum, and that it has met the high expectations set out in the official guidelines of the Paralegal Standing Committee of the American Bar Association."

It takes a minimum of three years to receive approval from the ABA, the release stated.

Currently, ESCC joins Gadsden State Community College and five four-year institutions approved by the ABA.

"Having ABA approval sets the program apart because legal professionals understand the strict standards required by the American Bar Association," Dillingham said. "Attorneys, for example, typically understand how difficult it is for a law school to achieve ABA accreditation. The ABA stamp of approval directly benefits our graduating students in relation to job placement because many employers see completion of an ABA approved program as a plus."

ESCC Interim President Vicky Ohlsen said she is proud of the ABA's approval of the college's paralegal program.

"ABA approval is essentially the premier accreditation for paralegal programs nationwide," Ohlsen said. "Graduates of ABA-approved programs have more options for employment, as many large and exclusive law firms only hire graduates from such programs."

Ohlsen said the ABA has "rigorous professional standards." She said the organization's approval of ESCC's program shows how successful the program has become.

"Nationally, only about 1 in 5 paralegal programs are ABA-approved," Ohlsen said. "The American Bar Association is known for its rigorous professional standards, and their stamp of approval is evidence that ESCC's program has demonstrated the highest level of academic integrity and professional excellence."

She credits the success of the program to Dillingham," whose initiative and perseverance was responsible for the success of this endeavor."

"I am also grateful for the administrative support provided by Jennifer Moore, director of the Business and Computer Science Division that contains the paralegal program, and by the college's Interim Dean of Instruction Leslie Reeder.

"This achievement was a team effort and is a foreshadow of similar achievements to come as the college pushes for additional professional accreditations and industry-recognized certifications of our other technical programs."

For more information about the paralegal program, contact Dillingham at [email protected] or at (334) 347-3634 ext. 2207.