Inver paralegal students benefited from internship and career networking opportunities
Inver Hills Community College and the college’s Paralegal program hosted the 2025 Minnesota Paralegal Association (MPA) Annual Convention Friday, May 16, 2025, in the Fine Arts building on the college’s campus in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Chyara Smith-Stopp, Paralegal program coordinator and faculty, was excited to welcome the event’s participants to the college.
“It was an honor to host the 2025 MPA Convention on campus this year,” Chyara said. “It has been more than eight years since the convention was held at Inver Hills. With more than one hundred attendees and legal resource vendors, our Paralegal program increased its visibility in the legal community.”
Chyara reported that many of the college’s paralegal students attended the convention either in person or virtually, which provided them with meaningful networking opportunities for internships and permanent employment.
“On a personal note, I want to extend my sincere thanks to Dean Bealka and the IT and Facilities teams whose support ensured the success of the convention,” Chyara added.
2025 MPA Annual Convention keynote speakers
Retired Justice David Lillehaug
Minnesota Supreme Court
Topic: The Judicial Branches at the Crossroads: the Next Ten Years
Drawing on his 45 years of legal and judicial experience, Justice Lillehaug discussed the major challenges to the federal and state judicial branches in the coming decade. They included:
- Maintaining judicial independence in an era where the judiciary is under attack from political branches and social media
- The transformation of state judicial elections into high-expenditure, high-intensity affairs
- The emergence of AI and its likely effect on substantive law, procedure, and adjudication
Assistant Professor Tammy Oltz, JD
Legal Studies, Hamline University
Topic: Legal Advocacy for Neurodivergent Clients: What Paralegals Need to Know
Neurodivergent clients—such as individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences—often face unique challenges in the legal system. This CLE equipped paralegals with the knowledge and practical strategies needed to effectively support neurodivergent clients.
Topics included understanding neurodivergence in legal settings, communication best practices, accommodating sensory and processing needs, and ethical considerations when working with neurodivergent individuals. Participants left with actionable tools to foster inclusive and effective legal advocacy.
2025 MPA Annual Convention at Inver Hills gallery
View more event photos by opening the Inver Hills Flickr album:
Minnesota Paralegal Association (MPA) Annual Convention 2025
2025 MPA Annual Convention exhibitors, sponsors, and advertisers
Adams & Martin Group
Amy’s Cupcakes
Association of Legal Administrators Minnesota
ArcherHall
Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A.
Beacon Hill Legal
Capitol Lien
Cogency Global
Expert Paralegal LLC
Fredrikson & Byron
Gustafson Gluek PLLC
Hamline University
Heimerl & Lammers, LLC
Inver Hills Community College
Larkin Hoffman
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
The Legal Revolution
Lexitas Court Reporting
Mariposa Publishing
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Nicolet Law
Page Vault
Robert Half
Securian
Stearns Bank
Veritext Legal Solution
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
