Meet the Board: Jessica Mulder, Paralegal Liaison

For the next several weeks on the OBCLAA Blog, we will be introducing OBCLAA's 2013-2014 Board. As we introduce the leadership of the Alumni Association, you will catch a glimpse of the goals we hope to see accomplished this year. It is our hope that something you will read here will give you an idea for how YOU can get involved. Please feel free to post a reply or contact individual Board members.

Jessica first heard about OBCL in junior high and has had a life-long fascination with law and justice.  Prior to enrolling in OBCL, she earned her undergrad in General Business from Excelsior College (Albany, NY) in 2006.  From operating a home-based organizational service and working as an administrative assistant at a church and private school, Jessica developed skills that translate directly into what is necessary to be a paralegal.  In 2007 she was able to return to her early dream and enrolled in OBCL’s paralegal program, later passing the Certified Legal Assistant exam in 2008. In 2009, Jessica became paralegal to the senior partner at Perlstein, Sandler & McCracken, LLC, where she assists the lawyers in serving over 350 condominiums and homeowner associations throughout the state. In addition to law, Jessica enjoys singing, traveling, working with children, photography, and being involved in missions.

OBCL was a great match because of the affordability and flexibility that its long-distance program offered.  It is a joy for Jessica to be the Paralegal Liaison this year to further the networking of paralegals and attorneys within the alumni of OBCL. She had this to say about her goals for this year: “I am looking forward to contacting the paralegal grads in the months to come to connect them to the alumni association through calls and the newsletters.  Once again I will be organizing the mentor program for the current students in their studies.  And generally I am thrilled to help our paralegals to be excited about what they do and to help them network with other OBCL paralegals and lawyers.”

If you have any questions for Jessica about how you can be involved, she can be reached by e-mail at jmulder07@gmail.com.

Meet the Board: Paul Harman, National Assn. & Accreditation / Immediate Past President

For the next several weeks on the OBCLAA Blog, we will be introducing OBCLAA's 2013-2014 Board. As we introduce the leadership of the Alumni Association, you will catch a glimpse of the goals we hope to see accomplished this year. It is our hope that something you will read here will give you an idea for how YOU can get involved. Please feel free to post a reply or contact individual Board members.

Paul graduated with the 2004A Class and is currently serving as staff attorney to Justice Tom Parker of the Supreme Court of Alabama. His duties include writing opinions for petitions for writ of certiorari, petitions for writs of mandamus, and direct appeals. His french press has also made him the official Court barista.  Before coming to the Court, Paul was in private practice in Bakersfield, California for two years. He plans to return to private practice in 2014.

Paul enjoys serving Christ through Morningview Baptist Church in Montgomery while away from Crossway Baptist Church in Bakersfield. 

When not at work or church, Paul is either playing tennis, golf, or basketball or getting a sunburn on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico.

Meet the Board: Jacob Pennington, Student Liaison

For the next several weeks on the OBCLAA Blog, we will be introducing OBCLAA's 2013-2014 Board. As we introduce the leadership of the Alumni Association, you will catch a glimpse of the goals we hope to see accomplished this year. It is our hope that something you will read here will give you an idea for how YOU can get involved. Please feel free to post a reply or contact individual Board members.

Jacob comes to us from the state of Texas where he resides with his parents and eight siblings. In his second year of law school, Jacob is currently enjoying his Constitutional Law and Common Law courses. In addition to law, Jacob enjoys theology, music, art, math, computer science, singing, and storytelling.

As the Student Liaison, Jacob will oversee the review and mentorship programs already in place. There is always a need for more alumni to host conference calls with students in particular areas of law. If this is something that interests you, please feel free to contact Jacob at student.liaison@student.obcl.edu.    

Meet the Board: Amy Kerschner, Student Affairs

For the next several of weeks on the OBCLAA Blog, we will be introducing OBCLAA's 2013-2014 Board. As we introduce the leadership of the Alumni Association, you will catch a glimpse of the goals we hope to see accomplished this year. It is our hope that something you will read here will give you an idea for how YOU can get involved. Please feel free to post a reply or contact individual Board members. 

Amy had the unique opportunity to graduate with her dad in the class of 2008B. Having already mentored several Baby Bar classes and served as an upper-class mentor for first-, second-, and third-year classes, Amy looks forward to more mentorship opportunities now as an alumnus. Amy and her sister, Katie, a fourth-year student in OBCL, are co-founding a chapter of YWA (Young Women for America). YWA, a project of Concerned Women for America, was specifically designed for high school and college students and will be open to interested OBCL students.

When Amy is not mentoring students or supporting students enrolled in the family-owned American Water College, where they train water and wastewater operators, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, music, and politics. She lives with her family in Lancaster, California. 

As the chairwoman of the Student Affairs Committee, Amy will work closely with the Teacher Assistants and Student Liaison “to ensure that first year and Baby Bar students receive the information and foundational skills they need to succeed in the Oak Brook Journey.” If you would like to help in this endeavor or have any suggestions on how the alumni can better serve and encourage current students, please contact Amy at amy.kerschner@gmail.com.