You may be interested in learning of my professional good fortune that followed my studies in Legal Assisting under the guidance of Teresa Blier.

While working as a legal secretary in a large DC firm, I had been advised that participation in an ABA-approved paralegal curriculum at the college level would be helpful if I wanted to become a legal assistant.  I found this in the course offerings at the Alexandria campus, and over consecutive fall, spring, and summer sessions I attained sufficient credits for admission into a certification exam administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants or NALA.  After a period of self-directed study using NALA-published preparation materials, I took the exam in March and learned just this week that I passed and can now present myself as a Certified Legal Assistant or CLA.

At the moment, my job duties and my compensation are favorable, but when the opportunity to advance arises, I'll be ready.  Clearly I gained a solid foundation from the courses I took.  While I wouldn't want to belitte the efforts of other schools in this discipline, my conversations with other students taking the exam in this region made it clear that I had benefitted from superior preparation.  Passing the exam on the first attempt was something I didn't expect, and after the two days of testing I presumed that at least a partial re-take (permitted under NALA rules) would be necessary.

But here I am, with a done deal, and I have to attribute my success to the teaching of Ms. Blier and her colleagues that proved to be even better than I realized while enrolled.  I hope you will take some pleasure in the positive result from my NVCC studies, and you can be assured of my specific recommendation of this program to other people with similar ambitions.

With all Best Wishes,
Greg Capaldini, CLA

 

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