Legal Studies News

From time-to-time, the Legal Studies Department at Highline College shares exciting stories.

Terrell Marshall Law Group Diversity Scholarship

Terrell Marshall is a Seattle‐based law firm with a commitment to social justice. With a nationwide practice representing workers, consumers, and other individuals whose rights have been violated, Terrell Marshall works on meaningful and often cutting‐edge cases in collaboration with other private and non‐profit law firms. While we focus our substantive work on wage and hour, consumer fraud, and civil rights class actions, we often take cases outside those areas if they offer an opportunity to challenge unfair, deceptive, or discriminatory conduct.

Our commitment to social justice extends beyond our case selection. Terrell Marshall offers its attorneys and staff paid time for participation in social justice activities, such as challenging institutional racism, serving as protest observers, and protecting voting rights.

In honor of our commitment to diversifying our field, Terrell Marshall offers annual scholarships to underrepresented candidates pursuing legal careers in Washington state.
Each year, we award:

• Two $2,500 scholarships to law school students;
• Two $1,000 scholarships to paralegal or legal assistant students; and
• Two $500 scholarships to legal secretarial students

Law school scholarship candidates must be accepted to or attending the University of Washington, Seattle University, or Gonzaga schools of law, or be a Washington resident attending an accredited law school in the United States. Paralegal and secretarial scholarship candidates must be a Washington resident majoring in paralegal or legal secretarial studies in an accredited program.

To apply, send your CV and a personal statement of 250 words or fewer to the Terrell Marshall Diversity & Inclusion Committee at scholarships@terrellmarshall.com by July 20 for fall scholarships and by December 20 for spring scholarships.

Winners are selected in late August and late January, with scholarship disbursement occurring in September and February, respectively.

Washington State Bar News Article on Our Alumni

On October 8th, 2024 Washington State Bar News posted a wonderful article highlighting two of Highline’s very own alumni, Marwa Almasri and Najmia Khatibi. The article speaks to Highline College’s paralegal program and how it has helped (and continues to help) refugees move on to careers in Washington’s legal profession. The article shares share the two alumni’s experiences of leaving their home countries for the U.S. and beginning their U.S. legal education—one of them coming with years of legal experience and the other entering the field for the first time.

Click Here to View this Washington Bar News Article

The Benefits of Hiring Students from Highline College Paralegal Program

Article for the Bar New  – Written By Joshua Brumley, Esq.

As both a practicing lawyer and a professor, I have had the unique opportunity to observe firsthand the remarkable impact that education and practical training can have on aspiring legal professionals. Over the past few years, my law firm, Brumley Law Firm, has hired more than five paralegal students from Highline College’s esteemed Paralegal Program. This experience has not only enriched our practice but has also provided these students with a robust foundation for their future careers.
Highline College: A Source of Talent
Highline College’s Paralegal Program is well-known for its rigorous curriculum and hands-on training. The students who graduate from this program are not just theoretically sound but are also equipped with practical skills that make them valuable assets from day one. The program covers essential areas such as legal research, writing, ethics, and specific areas of law, ensuring that the students are well-prepared to meet the demands of the legal profession.
Real-World Experience at Brumley Law Firm
At Brumley Law Firm, we have seen the tangible benefits of hiring paralegal students from Highline College. These students bring a fresh perspective and a strong work ethic, which has positively influenced our practice. For example, one of our recent hires quickly became instrumental in managing our case files and assisting with client communications, demonstrating a level of competence and professionalism that exceeded our expectations.
Broader Impact on the Legal Community
Our positive experience is not unique. Many other law firms have also benefited from employing students from Highline College’s Paralegal Program. These firms report similar successes, noting the students’ preparedness, dedication, and ability to adapt quickly to the fast-paced legal environment. This trend underscores the program’s reputation for producing graduates who are ready to contribute meaningfully from the outset of their careers.
Investing in the Future of Legal Professionals
Hiring students from Highline College is more than just a smart business move; it is an investment in the future of the legal profession. When we, as employers, invest in our employees’ education and professional development, we help them achieve new heights in their careers. Encouraging and supporting our employees to enroll in Highline’s Paralegal Program can lead to a highly skilled and loyal workforce.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the benefits of hiring students from Highline College’s Paralegal Program are manifold. From the high-quality education they receive to the practical skills they bring to the table; these students are well-equipped to thrive in any legal setting. At Brumley Law Firm, we have experienced these benefits firsthand, and we are proud to support the professional growth of these promising individuals. I encourage other law firms to consider hiring from Highline College and to invest in their employees’ futures by supporting their educational endeavors.
By fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development, we not only enhance our own practices but also contribute to the advancement of the legal profession as a whole.

Josh Brumley, Esq., is a practicing lawyer and professor with a deep commitment to the education and professional development of aspiring legal professionals.

Ellen Reed attends White House Conference

Highline faculty member Ellen Reed

Ellen Reed, who teaches Law Office Technology in our department, on March 30, 2023 attended a Criminal Justice Statistics Summit hosted by the White House. The goal of the summit was to put together a report on how law enforcement can better collect use of force and stop data, and other data that would encourage accountability and trust between law enforcement and the public. She was invited as part of a group of software vendors (Ellen is Director of Justice Data & Insights Solutions, Tyler Technologies) who were providing information on the technology needed to collect this data and how to encourage disaggregated data collection. 

If you are interested in the White House initiative, here’s the request for information the meeting was related to: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/02/16/2023-03260/request-for-information-criminal-justice-statistics

Highline College hosts Washington State Supreme Court Justice Debra Stephens

Highline College student group with Washington State Supreme Court Justice Debra Stephens.