Kelly Fermazin - July 2014

Post date: Mar 10, 2015 12:41:55 AM

When did you graduate from the COD Paralegal Studies Program?

December 2013

Where are you currently working?

Johnson & Harris, LLC - an in-house civil litigation firm for a management consulting company (although our attorneys do handle matters outside the firm as well).

How did you choose this area of practice?

I previously worked for the management consulting company in an administrative capacity for 13 years. In 2009, the company was going through consolidation and transferred me to the Legal Department.

What was the most important lesson you learned from the COD Paralegal Studies program?

Never stop learning! Although the law is stable, it does not stand still. It’s constantly evolving and therefore crucial to stay on top of your skills, legal issues and trends by participating in a wide-range of paralegal courses, seminars or webinars. Not only will you broaden your understanding of the profession, but may also polish up on other methods or skills you might not have been exposed to.

What electives did you most enjoy in the program?

Personal Injury, Tort & Insurance Law (Paul Watkiss) and Family Law (Jennifer Wiesner). In Personal Injury, I especially enjoyed the Jeopardy review sessions for each exam (complete with clicker, double & final jeopardy) and the humor Jennifer Wiesner brought to a very sensitive area of law.

What classes did you find most practical?

Intro to Legal Research & Writing (Rachel Koch), Advanced Legal Research & Writing (Linda Jenkins) and the Paralegal Practicum (Sally Fairbank).

What advice would you give to a current paralegal student?

Get to know and network with as many of your fellow paralegal classmates as possible. You will make lasting connections and have mutually beneficial relationships that will expand your sphere of knowledge and influence. Serving as a resource helps others succeed as well as you!

Tell us an interesting story.

Earlier in the year, I received a phone call from a potential client. He had indicated he needed a DUI attorney. He said he was at a bar the night before and had too much to drink. So he decided that he should take a taxi because he shouldn’t be on the road. I agreed with him and said that he did the responsible thing. However, I asked him that since he took a taxi I was confused as to why he needed a DUI lawyer. He said, “Because when I woke up this morning there was a taxi in my garage!”