Paralegals & Legal Secretaries

Indiana Paralegal Student Receives College Award for Excellence

By Lynne DeVenny

Samantha Friedman, a 2009 graduate of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, was named the 2008-09 recipient of the Excellence in Paralegal Studies Award. The award was given by the Paralegal Studies Advisory Board at its semiannual meeting on April 20.

In giving this award, committee chairwoman Cathy Canny, senior paralegal for Dann, Pecar, Newman & Kleiman, P.C., in Indianapolis said, ?This recipient has flourished in her studies at The Woods. She was a finalist in the Indiana INTERNnet awards, competed and won a position as a legislative intern in the 2008 Indiana General Assembly, completed an internship that resulted in employment, and still maintained high honors in her academic pursuits.?

Friedman, a native of Jasper, was recognized by Indiana INTERNnet, the statewide resource for internship opportunities from the Indiana Chamber, as one of the top interns for 2008. She served as a Senate Democrat intern during the 2008 session of the 115th Indiana General Assembly, working with state Sen. John Broden (D-South Bend) and the Minority Attorney?s Office.

In addition to winning a coveted spot as a legislative intern, Friedman received an award for legal research and was employed part-time in a law office, where she completed a second internship. She was also involved in Indiana Legal Assistants at The Woods, serving as president during her senior year; she served on the Paralegal Advisory Board; and she helped organize the College?s annual Law Day.

?In our paralegal program, we place an emphasis on teaching practical skills and on making the students market-ready upon their graduation,? said Kathryn L. Myers, associate professor and coordinator of paralegal studies at SMWC. ?Employers know that our students can do the job of a paralegal and that their foundation of education is broad-based and rigorous. Samantha?s winning of this award is evidence of her readiness for the marketplace.?

Terre Haute Tribune Star

Full post as published by Practical Paralegalism on June 10, 2009 (boomark / email).