Student Joins Legal Team for New Career
News from Tulsa Tech by DR. STEVE TIGER
Superintendent
LEGAL ASSISTANT: Tulsa Tech alumnus Christina Sheppard currently works as a legal assistant for Boheim-Freeman PLLP, a local law firm which provides legal services for clients in Tulsa and surrounding counties.
Photo courtesy Tulsa Tech
Christina Sheppard has always been intrigued by the legal system, and decided to return to school with hopes of pursuing a career in the demanding field.
“I wanted to go back to school and eventually start working in the legal field,” Sheppard said. “I decided to join the Project team a year ago in July, and that’s where I discovered Tulsa Tech.”
Tulsa Tech’s Legal Office Assistant program provides the training required to draft and process legal documents, including wills, contracts and deeds. Students also experience the drama of courtrooms, law offices and government facilities as they work as part of a professional legal team.
“I chose the program because I have always been interested in the legal field,” Sheppard said. “And I felt it would give me an opportunity to help others.”
The young wife and mother of a 19-month old son was working as a stay-at-home mom, and had worked previously in ther career fields before deciding to attend Tulsa Tech.
“Like a lot of people I first worked in fast food,” Sheppard said. “After high school I also worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant () before eventually becoming a stay-at-home mom. I don’t regret studying to become a , but ultimately I decided that it wasn’t the right career choice for me.”
Sheppard began her training in the Legal Office Assistant program during the fall of 2017, and by the following spring already had an offer for a rewarding job.
“I was in the program for nine months,” Sheppard said. “In March, I was offered an internship at Boheim-Freeman Law Office, and the following month in April, I was offered a full-time position with the firm.”
Boheim-Freeman, , located at 616 S. Boston Ave., provides services for criminal defense, family law and estate planning in Tulsa and the surrounding counties. Sheppard feels lucky to have the opportunity to pursue her career in such a positive environment alongside other legal professionals.
“I really enjoy the people I get to work with,” Sheppard said. “We are so much more than just a firm, we are really a family, and our goal each day is to treat our clients exactly the same way.”
Working as a legal assistant for a dynamic firm like Boheim-Freeman has it trials, however these are exactly the types of challenges that Sheppard feels make the position so rewarding.
“I would say that one of the biggest challenges working as a legal assistant is time management,” Sheppard said. “I currently work for five different attorneys, who each need me to complete different assignments at different times. I really enjoy this challenge, and find it very rewarding to be able to contribute to the success of our office.”
As a legal assistant, Sheppard performs many duties, and acknowledges the importance of her role in the success of the firm.
“I’m always aware that I am the face of our company,” Sheppard said. “I’m most likely the first person you will see, or the first person you will visit with, and I will point you toward the appropriate attorney for your case. I also prepare documents for courts, set up appointments, return calls and take payments as needed.”
Sheppard credits Tulsa Tech, her instructor and the Legal Office Assistant Program for providing her an opportunity to pursue her new career.
“Without a doubt I would not be where I am today without the training I received from my instructor, Miss Young, and the Legal Office Program,” Sheppard said. “Tulsa Tech not only prepared me for a successful career in the legal field, but I also learned a lot about how the legal system works, and the opportunities that I will have in the future. The program gave me confidence about how to present myself, and also how to seek internships within the field.”
If you’re currently looking for a new career, exciting classes for high school and adult students, or customized business and industry training, Tulsa Tech invites you to visit today. For more information, please call 918-828- 5000 or visit us online at tulsatech.edu.
Updated 11-16-2018
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