On May 20, 2025, the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE) hosted its annual Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) virtual induction ceremony, celebrating the newest cohort of paralegal students whose academic achievements and commitment to the profession exemplify the society’s core values of scholarship, leadership, and integrity. Under the leadership of Toni Marsh, LEX Director and Paralegal Studies Program Director at George Washington University, over eighty inductees from campuses across the country logged in for a program that combined heartfelt reflections, practical guidance, and a clear call to service.
At precisely 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Marsh opened the ceremony by inviting participants to introduce themselves in the chat and turn on their cameras if they wished, immediately fostering a collegial atmosphere. She then formally welcomed distinguished guests and board members, including AAfPE President and Paralegal Professor Chris Simcox (Bucks County Community College), Paige Beatham (University of Cincinnati), Dr. Kenneth Goldsmith (Chattanooga State Community College), Lisa Hutton (National University College of Law and Public Service), Sean Koenig (Baltimore County Community College), Ian Sharping (South Suburban College), Dina Waters (University of Alaska Fairbanks), and Executive Director Nathan Mihelich.
Chris Simcox followed with an address that both congratulated the students on reaching this milestone and underscored the deeper responsibilities that accompany academic success. She reminded inductees that
“academic excellence is more than grades—it is a commitment to critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and lifelong learning,”
and that as members of LEX they are
“expected to serve with purpose, humility, and an unshaken belief in the rule of law.”
Simcox also highlighted AAfPE’s mission to advance paralegal education—providing practical training, fostering innovation, and building a community of support that equips future legal professionals to serve their communities effectively.
The ceremony’s student speaker, Jennifer Halberstein, offered an inspiring personal narrative that reframed the paralegal profession as “not a consolation prize, but a calling.” Reflecting on her own winding path—switching careers at age fifty—she described the profound satisfaction of translating complex statutes into plain language and empowering low-income clients, noting that 92 percent of their civil legal needs go unmet without professional assistance. Her story vividly illustrated how paralegals bridge the “access to justice” gap by making the legal system both understandable and accessible to those who need it most.
The keynote came from Judge Roy M. McLeese III of the D.C. Court of Appeals, who praised paralegals’ dual impact—both in direct client service and in supporting the internal operations of law firms. Through an amusing April Fool’s anecdote about a firm’s valued paralegal “retiring” to a llama farm, he underscored how irreplaceable skilled paralegals are. Judge McLeese also applauded the D.C. Civil Legal Reform Task Force’s efforts—on which he serves—to expand access by licensing non-lawyers for limited practice, a promising step toward addressing the justice crisis.
After the formal “Oath of Lambda Epsilon Chi,” in which students pledged to model paralegal excellence and advance the profession, the virtual room erupted with congratulations. Marsh and Simcox invited participants to join optional breakout rooms for further networking. As the meeting drew to a close, inductees and faculty alike lingered, a testament to the community bonds that extend well beyond the ceremony itself.
Through thoughtful addresses, personal testimonies, and ceremonial traditions, the May 20, 2025 LEX induction reaffirmed the critical role paralegals play in upholding justice, strengthening the legal profession, and serving communities nationwide. The new members now join a legacy of excellence—and an enduring commitment to making the legal system equitable and accessible for all.
Watch the full induction ceremony here.