My name is Laila Clarke. I joined the paralegal studies program because I really enjoy watching law shows. But, it wasn’t until I joined the mock trial club in high school did I really realize how much I enjoyed law. Most subjects are usually boring for me but learning about the law comes so easily. I would watch law and order and pick up on many things before the show revealed it. One goal I want to achieve is finishing college, there are many times I see myself unmotivated, and my mind wonders to think about what life would be like if I didn’t go through college, but I am determined to finish. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, I suppose one interesting fact about me is that I’m a car enthusiast.

Hello, My name is Pedro Flores I decided to apply for the Paralegal program because law was something that I was interested in but I wasn’t too sure if that was something i wanted to do. Here I am today taking this course to educate myself and get a better understanding of the laws. I was born and raised in the Bronx. When I am not in school I am working at a seafood restaurant In Westchester County as a food runner. I hope this course gives me the tools i need to use in the future if i want to become a paralegal or in any area of law. : )

My Name is Stephon Senecharles and the reason I choose Paralegal because eventually I just wanted to take the criminal Justice course in the upcoming semesters. I was born and raised in Brooklyn and my family is from Haiti. If I’m not at school or slaving at my Home Depot job. I really don’t know what I wanna do with my Paralegal Knowledge, I’m just going with the flow of this course because I know this is the only subject where I wont just sleep from boredom.

Hi everyone, my name is Mirian Torres and the reason why I decided to apply to the Law and paralegal program is because I aspire to become a lawyer. I’m originally from Honduras, I arrived to the US about two years ago. Being a child who got to experience different scenarios where injustice was a constant in my life, got me to think it was because of the corrupt government, failed and obsolete system that is still used in my country, hence when I came to this country I did it with a lot of expectations, unfortunately upon entering the complex family and child wellness maze that is supposed to be in charge of protecting us I got to realize that even if the system is flawed there is always need for people trying to get the less fortunate a little bit of justice but it made see that there are also others who got into the law program just to manipulate and bent the laws in favor of those that cause harm. Being the latest the group of people I never want to be part of.

I expect this program can give me the tools I need to be part of a change in the system and I hope justice can always prevail and deliver hope to those that have known injustice for far too long.

Hello! I’m Adriana Sepúlveda and I am in the Law and Paralegal Studies program because I want to be a paralegal. My background is in the music business so my goal is to work at an entertainment law firm or in the legal department of a record label. I previously went to college in Boston where I graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry. I initially wanted to be an entertainment lawyer however, that changed throughout my college career and I decided to take the Public Relations route. After graduating, I moved to New York and started working in music PR. Eventually, I decided it wasn’t for me but being my only real experience, I was in and out of PR jobs, assistant positions, internships, and the restaurant industry. After many jobs, years, and industries later I decided to revisit my interest in law!

Jumping back into school after almost 7 years was something that definitely made me nervous but I’m excited about this new chapter. I can’t wait to start the process and learn about the paralegal world.

Aside from school, I’m currently a server at a few different restaurants. When I’m not working or watching Netflix, I have few hobbies including gardening, going to concerts, and crocheting. During the gardening season, I grow peppers (habaneros, jalapeños, banana peppers), tomatoes, and basil. With crocheting, I have made blankets, pet sweaters, scrunchies, and shorts. I live with my twin sister in Brooklyn and we have two cats — an orange tabby named Isosceles and a calico/tabby mix named Una. I grew up in Texas and as a few others mentioned, I am Puerto Rican. Since my parents spoke Spanish around the house I can understand a little bit but my goal is to eventually learn enough to at least understand it completely. I am also trying to amp up my reading with my 2021 goal being to read 10 books, stay tuned.

Excited for the semester ahead!

Here are the kiddos!

I’m Paradise Bermudez, I’ve always been interested in the work lawyers do and learning more about our court systems. Along with that I’m in the law and paralegal program because I knew that it would be the only major to keep me going through college because it really is the only thing I find interesting. My main goal is to stay focus and determined throughout school. For a long time I debated going to college because I felt like I wouldn’t be able to finish or I’d give up, so my main goal is prove myself wrong and be able to accomplish more than I thought I could. A little about myself, I was born and raised In Brooklyn and lived here my whole life but I am Puerto Rican. There is a lot of pressure on me with going to college being that neither of my parents did. Honestly I feel like I owe it to myself to finish college because I know the extravagant life I want to have in the future and this is the path I need to take.

I am a God fearing man fleeing from harm begging for the protection of my life 

I was once labeled “a ward of the state”, now I’m a family man even though as a child I was deprived of it. Im in search of an identity & financial stability because I’m a job loss away from becoming homeless, I’m “working poor” is how I’ll best define it. Overall being the first out of the 3 generations of my family tree to graduate from college is my greatest achievement. I hope to able to finish my bachelor’s & find a way to be able to afford law school in order to become a Public Defendant. Well I’m afraid I said to much but here’s a little more about myself, I’m a person that’s “off the grid” meaning I have no social media accounts. Im a person that doesn’t like to waste electricity or water so I try to be mindful and avoid the overuse of it.

I feel that college has help me a great deal by allowing me to be apart of something by sort of giving me an identity & a platform in order to speak, listen & read. Well more into my backstory, Im Puerto Rican but only on paper. I also like to read, so far this summer I read 4 books: non-fiction & I like to watch Netflix, Youtube, HBO Max & I don’t like watching TV. I was born & raised in Manhattan’s Upper East Side & briefly Lower East Side as well, I now live in Brooklyn. I first want to be a Lawyers Assistant Lord willing I graduate so I can learn first hand and build the confidence needed in order to do my best at the position then ultimately be able to pass the bar exam. Wish me luck!

Quote: I am who ever you say I am – EMINEM

My name is Joshua Cummings. I’m in the Law and Paralegal Studies program because my whole life people have told me that I should be a lawyer. But I always knew that 7+ more years of school after high school wasn’t something I really wanted to do so I thought why not be an assistant. I don’t really have any goals but I’m now interested in becoming a process server for a little bit.

I’ve lived in Brooklyn my whole life. I was raised by my mom and some of my earliest memories are of her bringing me into her college classes and since then I really looked forward to the college experience. To be honest there’s nothing much to say which is why this post is so short.

My name is Aaoni T. Solomon. I am interested in the Law and Paralegal program because I want to become a lawyer. My father is a lawyer and he has worked very hard to make something of his name. I want to follow in his footsteps and help him build our law firm. My short-term goals are to end my first year of college with a high GPA to start my college education off strong. My long-term goal is to graduate college and go to law school and be successful. I want to study real estate law and entertainment law.

A little bit about myself, I have lived in Harlem most of my life and wanted a change of scenery for college. I am mixed, my mother is Puerto Rican and my father is African American. My birthday is January 24th, 2003, making me 18 years old. I am a dancer and have been dancing since I was 5 years old however I have stopped since covid has started. Some of my hobbies are listening to music and self-care. I love spending time on my skin and hair and keeping it up to my high expectations. I love to travel and in the future, I want to travel to more Caribbean islands and even to Europe. I hope one day to get married and start a family of my own.

I am Kerin Coughlin, the instructor of these courses!  I teach in our Law and Paralegal Studies program because I love law, and I love teaching!  Many moons ago, I was a junior high school Social Studies teacher, then I became a lawyer, and I practiced law full-time for about twelve years.  During most of that time, I was a commercial litigator, which means I represented parties to civil lawsuits involving businesses.  While I was practicing full-time, I started teaching law part-time, then I decided to switch it up.  This is my eighth year teaching full-time here at City Tech.  I love it!  My favorite part of teaching is working with students.  You’re all awesome! 🙂

Something I want you to know about me is that I love my cat, Darryl.  I adopted him nine years ago, when he was about one year old, after Hurricane Sandy which flooded the house in Breezy Point where he lived with a family.  The family moved to a shelter that didn’t take cats, so they put him up for adoption.  I’m so glad they did!  He came to live with me a few weeks later.  He’s a wonderful roommate, though he’s really lazy about doing chores.  Below is one of my favorite photos of him, snuggling with the Bluebook, which you’ll learn to love as much as he does as you progress through our program!

WELCOME to Law and Paralegal Studies!  🙂

Prof. C.