1991 Legal Assistant graduate has been working in legal field for 35 years
Patricia (Patty) Meagher, MnCP, 56, graduated in 1991 from the American Bar Association (ABA)-approved Legal Assistant program (today the Paralegal program) at Inver Hills Community College. Motivated by a strong desire to learn about the law, Patty worked full-time while taking evening classes at Inver Hills. Her A.A.S. degree opened the door to a 35-year career in the legal profession. She went on to earn a B.A. in Communications with a Minor in Business Administration from Augsburg College. She also completed one year of studies at the William Mitchell College of Law before focusing on her family. She became a Minnesota Certified Paralegal (MnCP) in 2021.
Patty started working at 3M in 1986. From 1990 to 1995, she worked as a legal secretary for 3M’s Office of General Counsel, taking on the role of paralegal in 1996. From there, she worked for eight years as a paralegal at Imation, 3M’s first spinoff company. In 2005, she returned to 3M and the Office of General Counsel, where she was responsible for transaction documents and conducting legal due diligence for mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. She was recently promoted to the position of legal specialist II and is now responsible for Section 16 SEC filings and supporting the Corporate & Securities Team with other SEC filings and bond offerings as well as the annual proxy statement and shareholder meeting.
When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Patty said, “I have worked on a lot of large mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions, including 3M’s healthcare spinoff, that were very important business decisions for the company. In my current role, I file SEC documents that are required for publicly traded companies. I have had the pleasure of working with a lot of great attorneys during my career.”
Patty is the current director of positions and issues and NFPA primary for the Minnesota Paralegal Association (MPA), a role she was elected to in 2023. She is also the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) convention chair and enjoys planning events for both the NFPA and MPA. Patty received the MPA Lifetime Service Award and was honored at the MPA 50th Anniversary Gala in 2024. She is also a member of the Standing Committee for the Minnesota Legal Paraprofessionals Program.
Patty attended the Minnesota Paralegal Association (MPA) Annual Convention 2025 hosted by Inver Hills Community College and the college’s Paralegal program.
View the event photos by opening the Inver Hills Flickr album:
Minnesota Paralegal Association (MPA) Annual Convention 2025
You can also read the Inver Hills News story:
“Inver Hills Hosts 2025 MPA Annual Convention”
More about Patty…
Originally from Oakdale, Minnesota, Patty graduated from Tartan High School, Class of 1987. She has been married to her husband, Joe, for 34 years. Patty and Joe have two grown sons, Jimmy and Mike, and a daughter-in-law, Andrea, who is married to Jimmy. Patty has one sister, Kim. Their mother, Marilyn, just turned 80.
In her free time, Patty enjoys golfing, running, walking, reading legal/criminal novels, puzzles, and boardgames. Patty and Joe reside in Hudson, Wisconsin.
Patty family and life gallery
Patty Meagher • Q & A
What inspired you to pursue a career in the legal field?
I attended an informational meeting about what it is like to be an attorney when I was in high school. I was also interested in legal TV shows such as L.A. Law and Law & Order.
What did you like best about the Legal Assistant program at Inver Hills?
That they offered evening courses, and the instructors for legal classes were attorneys who shared real-life cases and experiences.
How did your education at Inver Hills help you succeed as a legal specialist at 3M?
My internship and two-year degree helped me obtain by first paralegal job. I think the internship is an important factor in the program.
Three words that describe you as a legal professional:
ORGANIZED. DETAILED. PROACTIVE.
What advice would you give students thinking about majoring in paralegal studies?
I would suggest taking all different types of legal courses to determine which area of law you are most interested in and would like to work. There are many areas and opportunities for different paralegal jobs.
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
I have worked with a lot of attorneys over the years, but my first boss in the legal profession really encouraged me to learn different skills and become proficient in them.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
Cure incurable diseases such as muscular dystrophy, Crohn’s disease, and cancer.
One word that best describes your experience at Inver Hills:
EXCEPTIONAL
Patty Meagher • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Baseball
Place you would most like to visit: Italy- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: I went parasailing in Hawaii
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Retire 2) Travel 3) Visit every Major League Baseball park in the U.S.
- Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: The Women’s Murder Club series by James Patterson
- Time period (past or future) you would explore if you could time travel: 1950s
- One thing you most want to accomplish in your life: I would like to become a legal paraprofessional and represent clients in court
Your national bird if you were your own country: Flamingo- Dream occupation: Event planner
- Person you would most like to meet: I would have liked to have met Princess Diana
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Playing the piano
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Unnecessary violence and shootings
Learn more about the Paralegal program at Inver Hills Community College by contacting:
Admissions Team
admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3902
866-576-0689
College Center
- Want more information? Fill out an inquiry form.
- Ready to apply? Fill out an application.
- Want to virtually visit campus? Check out our upcoming visit opportunities.
- Can’t make it to campus? Take our virtual tour.
Want to connect with an advisor? Check out our virtual drop-in hours or email admissions@inverhills.edu to request a campus-based or phone appointment.
More about the Paralegal program…
Approved by the American Bar Association since 1978, the Paralegal program at Inver Hills Community College prepares you to work under the supervision of attorneys in civil and criminal matters. Paralegals work in a range of legal practices such as probate, wills and estates, real estate, employment law, transactional, criminal law, and corporate law.
Please note that paralegals cannot give legal advice, represent clients in court, or otherwise engage in the unauthorized practice of law. The practice of law by non-attorneys is strictly prohibited by law.
As a graduate of the Paralegal program, you will have completed quality, practical coursework primarily in an online synchronous class format along with a paralegal internship. You will be equipped to assume the general and ethical responsibilities of a professional paralegal.
Awards
Paralegal Associate of Science (A.S.): 60 credits
Paralegal certificate: 30 credits>>> Paralegal program planning guide
Why enroll in the Paralegal program at Inver Hills?
Outstanding career outlook.
According to Indeed, paralegals in Minneapolis earn a median annual salary just shy of $70,000; the top 10 percent earn nearly $100,000 a year. O*NET OnLine reports that projected job openings per year in Minnesota for 2020–2030 will be 620.Cutting-edge legal technology.
You will sharpen your paralegal skill set using Westlaw for online legal research, the National Society for Legal Technology for top legal software programs, and e-filing and e-recording for state and federal court systems.Topflight professional oversight.
A dedicated, diverse Paralegal Advisory Committee of legal professionals supports our program to keep our curriculum up to date on legal trends.ABA approved to ensure quality.
Our Paralegal program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) with continual re-approval since 1978.Highly rated, experienced faculty.
Our instructors have extensive legal backgrounds in their practice areas, considerable teaching experience, and a strong commitment to students.Reputation for excellence.
Top-rated program by area legal employers, legal recruiters, and internship supervisors. Our program coordinator is an experienced instructor and attorney with a passion for student success.Your doorway to the legal profession.
Paralegals are legal professionals trained to assist lawyers in a broad range of substantive legal work. Paralegals find careers in a number of fields, including professional, scientific, and technical services as well as the management and administration of organizations.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.
Reported job titles
- Immigration Paralegal
- Law Associate
- Legal Analyst
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Clerk
- Legal Processing Assistant
- Litigation Paralegal
- Paralegal
- Paralegal Specialist
- Real Estate Paralegal
WAGES
Minnesota
Workers on average earn $67,320
10 percent of workers earn $44,800 or less
10 percent of workers earn $98,480 or moreUnited States
Workers on average earn $61,010
10 percent of workers earn $39,710 or less
10 percent of workers earn $98,990 or more2023 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Trends: Minnesota
Employment(2020): 5,860 employees employees
Projected employment (2030): 6,070 employees
Projected growth (2020–2030): 4%
Projected annual job openings (2020–2030): 620Occupational Trends: United States
Employment (2023): 366,200 employees
Projected employment (2033): 370,500 employees
Projected growth (2023–2033): 1 percent: Slower than average
Projected annual job openings(2023–2033): 37,300Visit O*NET OnLine for comprehensive information about the occupation:
Paralegals and Legal AssistantsSOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Paralegals and Legal Assistants
