Washington
Washington State Representative
Judy St. John: Born in North Dakota to a career Air Force Officer, Judy grew up changing a few schools, but not as much as her older brothers. At the age of 10 she moved to what was then called “Pakistan” and attended school with children from 31 different Countries… thereby becoming culturally diverse before it was cool. In her Junior year of High School, her father retired to Spokane Washington, where Judy graduated high school and went on to community college for Radio Broadcasting. For the next 20 years, Judy worked in the radio industry in both an on-air capacity and in the office scheduling commercials.
In 2006, after having worked in radio, television and on the internet in a commercial scheduling capacity, Judy found Kaplan College and began to fulfill her dream of getting a four year degree and in the field of law that she’d always wanted to work in. After a short stint at an immigration law firm and working as a file clerk at a large Seattle firm, Judy landed her current job of Paralegal at a Criminal Defense firm where she has been employed steadily for the past three and a half years. Judy may be reached at Washington@ParalegalGateway.org.
Washington Paralegal Resources:
Local Paralegal Associations
Local Paralegal Schools
ABA Accredited Schools in Washington State:
Edmonds Community College
Paralegal Program
20000 68th Ave. W.
Lynnwood, WA 98037
Program Director: Michael Fitch, JD
Telephone 425.640.1617
FAX 425.640.1239
Email Us
Associate Degree, Post-baccalaureate certificate
For more information: //legal.edcc.edu/
Skagit Valley College
Paralegal Program
2405 College Way
Mount Vernon, WA 98273-5899
Director: Ted G. Maloney, Jr.
Telephone 360.416.7774
FAX 360.416.7918
Email Us
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: AAS-90 quarter-credits; Certificate-41 quarter-credits
Internships: Mandatory
For more information: www.skagit.edu/paralegal
Description: Skagit Valley College is located in the scenic Skagit Valley, one hour north of Seattle. The Paralegal Program began in 1988 and has graduated over 120 students. Our faculty includes attorneys and paralegals with extensive experience in their fields and a devotion to teaching. Our commitment to quality paralegal education includes membership in the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE); our program director serves on the AAfPE’s Board of Directors. Graduates are successful in finding employment as paralegals in government, military, private and corporate sectors, both locally and in other parts if the country.
Spokane Community College
Paralegal and Legal Nurse Programs
1810 North Greene Street, MS 2011
Spokane, WA 99217-5399
Director: Robert D. Loomis
Telephone 509.533.7470
FAX 509.533.8163
Email Us
Type of Institution: Public, 2 yr
Degrees Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Post-Secondary Certificate
Minimum length of time to complete program: 6 quarters or 2 academic yrs
(full time, properly sequenced)
Internships: Mandatory
For more information: www.scc.spokane.edu
Description: SCC’s campus lies on the eastern edge of Spokane, in the heart of the “Inland Empire,” a region known for quality of life, outdoor recreation, and friendly people. Spokane is the center of the region’s legal community, comprised of Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho, Eastern Oregon, and Inland British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. We offer high quality, affordable classes, accompanied by personalized attention. The range of classes equips a student to work in all the region’s jurisdictions as a paralegal, legal nurse, or legal investigator. We enjoy an excellent regional reputation for graduating skilled, job-ready individuals.
Tacoma Community College
Paralegal Studies Program
6501 S. 19th Street
Tacoma, WA 98466
Director: Janet Olejar
Telephone: 253.566.5053
Fax: 253.566.5365
Email Us
Type of Institution: Public
Degrees Offered: Associate in Applied Science; Certificate
Internships:
For more information: www.tacomacc.edu/academics/areasofstudy/paralegal.aspx
Not ABA Approved, but popular nonetheless
Washington State University
Certificate in Paralegal Studies
http://www.extension.washington.edu/ext/certificates/pas/pas_gen.asp
What the Program Covers
- Introduction to the legal system and its institutions
- Litigation and the life cycle of a lawsuit
- Legal research and writing
- Business law
- Legal specialties, including criminal law and family law
- Complex litigation, including large, multi-party litigation
Washington Law Links
Revised code of Washington
Washington Administrative Code
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/
Washington Government Links
Washington State Government site:
http://access.wa.gov/ contains links contains links to various State Agencies
http://find-it.wa.gov/ Find it Washington is another site that lists links to various agencies and forms
Legal Related State Agencies and Organizations
http://www.wsba.org Washington State Bar Association
http://www.wslea.org/ Washington State Law Enforcement Agency
http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/wa_orgsubjects.aspx Lists all organizations in the State by Subject
http://www.kcba.org/ King County Bar Association
http://www.spokanebar.org/ Spokane County Bar Association
http://www.snobar.org/ Snohomish County Bar Association
http://www.whatcombar.org/ Whatcom County Bar Association
http://www.lbaw.org/ Latino Bar Association
http://www.abaw.org/ Asian Bar Association
http://kaba-washington.org/ Korean Bar Association
http://www.q-law.org/ GLBT Bar Association
Federal and State Court Links for Washington
http://www.wawd.uscourts.gov/ U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington includes the Seattle and Tacoma Courthouses
http://www.waed.uscourts.gov/ U.S. District Court, Eastern Division of Washington includes the Spokane, Yakima and Richland Courthouses
http://www.wawb.uscourts.gov/ U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District includes Seattle and Tacoma Courthouses
http://www.waeb.uscourts.gov/ U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District includes Spokane and Yakima Courthouses
http://www.courts.wa.gov The Washington State Court site. This contains directories of every Court in every County with address, judges etc.
State County Resource Links
http://www.mrsc.org/byndmrsc/counties.aspx A great link to all counties in the State and the websites that are available.
http://www.legalwa.org/ Another link to the State Laws and Regulations.
http://lib.law.washington.edu/research/research.html U of W Law School Library. Lists many resources
Legal Assistance Agencies
http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/WA/index.cfm/index.cfm Lists a number of sources of help
http://www.ocla.wa.gov/ Washington State office of Civil Aid
http://www.nwjustice.org/ Non-profit legal assistance. Will not handle criminal cases.
http://www.columbialegal.org/ Another non-profit assistance firm.
http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org the not for profit agencies.
ADR Links
http://www.adr-wa.com/ Dispute resolution Washington
http://www.washingtonmediation.org/