“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon
Jennifer Halberstein: At 50, I can definitely confirm he was onto something.
I didn't take the traditional path to this moment. For years, I dreamed of being a lawyer, but life had other plans. Now, as a paralegal, I have discovered something unexpected.
This profession isn't a consolation prize. It's a calling, and it allows me to be deeply involved in the legal process while making a real difference in people's lives.
Throughout my paralegal program, I found myself doing something that surprised me: I enjoyed homework. I would lose track of time researching cases or drafting documents—not because I was chasing a perfect GPA (though I won't complain about that 4.0), but because each assignment felt meaningful. Each challenge was an opportunity to develop skills that could help someone navigate a system that often feels impenetrable to those who need it most.
And that brings me to the heart of what I believe is the soul of our profession: making justice accessible.
The statistics are sobering. According to the Legal Services Corporation, 92% of the civil legal problems faced by low-income Americans receive inadequate or no legal help. Behind that number are real people facing eviction, domestic violence, consumer fraud, and countless other challenges without the guidance they desperately need.
During my internship at a domestic violence services agency, I saw firsthand how paralegals can bridge this gap. One of my most meaningful projects was translating dense legal statutes into plain language. It sounds simple, but watching someone's face light up when they finally understand their rights and options—that’s when I realized the power we hold as paralegals.
We don't just assist attorneys. We empower people. When paralegals prepare documents, conduct research, or help clients understand their rights, we're making the legal system more accessible. We're saying, “This system belongs to you, too.” Whether we’re helping a senior citizen protect their home, a parent secure custody, or a survivor escape abuse, we’re extending the promise of justice to those who might otherwise be left behind.
As the newest members of LEX, we've proven our academic excellence, but our true measure of success will be how we use our skills to open doors for others. The legal system can be intimidating, complicated, and expensive, but with each person we help guide through it, we chip away at those barriers.
I practice mindfulness in my personal life; I try to be fully present in each moment. I believe that perspective serves us well as paralegals, too—because when we're truly present with the people we serve, listening to their concerns, explaining their options, and treating them with dignity, we do more than just process paperwork. We restore their faith in a system that may have seemed indifferent to their struggles.
So, as we celebrate this achievement today, I'm grateful not just for the recognition, but for finding a profession that aligns so perfectly with my values. I may have taken a winding path to get here, but I've never been more certain that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
Thank you again for this honor. I look forward to working alongside all of you to ensure justice isn’t just an ideal but a reality accessible to everyone who needs it.