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CTE Student Success

Brandon Llamas-Siddiqi

Certificate: Paralegal

What made you come to Cerritos College and why?

I already had my degree in English from UCLA, and right after I graduated, I found myself at a crossroads. I knew I wanted to go to law school, but I didn’t have any prior experience with law. I didn’t know any lawyers or anything like that, so I figured it might be best to start by getting a paralegal job. My friend, who is a law student, recommended that I come over here. Mostly because this is one of the best paralegal programs in California and is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). He said that all the paralegals he had worked with from Cerritos were good. So, I thought to myself, “Okay, if I want to enroll in a good paralegal program, I might as well come over here,” even though it’s an hour away.

Initially, I intended to pursue a career as a paralegal for an extended period. However, this program has made me realize that I really want to take it one step further and pursue the dream I had before – to go to law school and become a lawyer. So, right now, I am actually studying for the LSAT, which is the law school admission test, and I will be taking it in two to three weeks. Afterward, I will be applying to law school.

STUDENT ADVICE

If you are in a position similar to mine, having just graduated and knowing you want to get into law, this is probably the perfect place to start. You will have a much better background than most first-year law students, as they teach you very practical law here. Additionally, I would suggest embracing every opportunity that comes your way. Personally, I have embraced every opportunity this program has offered, and it has made a significant difference in my journey.

INSIGHT

All the instructors have been incredibly helpful. In particular, the Paralegal Program Director, Mr. Greenberg, has been exceptionally supportive and encouraging. He has provided me with valuable guidance regarding my aspirations to attend law school and has even facilitated opportunities for me to interact with judges. As a result of his assistance, I am currently interning with a judge in Stanley Mosk, Superior Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. I would say that a lot of the success I have now and will have in the future has to do with the instructors here, especially Mr. Greenberg.

I have completed two work experience classes/internships. Currently, I am participating in a judicial internship at Stanley Mosk. This experience has been tremendously helpful, allowing me to observe lawyers in action, interact with a judge, and witness actual trials. In addition to that, I have interned at two other law firms, providing me with exposure to different work settings. One of the law firms is larger, while the other is a one-person operation. This program’s work experiences offer a wide variety of opportunities, which I find particularly valuable.

As of now, I have been networking with many attorneys. I have been able to embrace what the program is offering, and because of that, I’ve learned how to do legal writing. I had no idea how to approach legal writing before I got here. I’ve also been able to conduct research and even had the opportunity to engage in conversations with judges, which was something I had never experienced before. So, it’s been crazy! It’s been a dramatic change from a year ago when I first started. This program, in particular, has confirmed what I wanted to do, which is law. I’m really excited to see how things go, and I am very grateful for the program.

Cerritos College

Paralegal 

For more information on enrollment, please refer to the current class schedule or consult a counselor.
www.cerritos.edu/Business-Legal