Graduate Profiles- Paul Rutherford

More on Paul...

Paul worked as a paralegal, prior to enrolling in the Paralegal Studies Program, but was instructed by his employer to obtain his paralegal certificate. As a Litigation Paralegal, his primary duties included: fact investigation, research, summary of medical records, abstracting depositions and trial/deposition preparation. Paul has, after graduating from the program, transitioned into the role of  Vice Chairman of the Cook County Crime Stoppers, where citizens, law enforcement agencies, businesses and media come together to fight felony-level crime. The Cook County Crime Stoppers encourages people to, anonymously, report tips on crime.

Paul attributes his current success (Vice Chairman) to the education he received from the Paralegal Studies Program at Roosevelt University, and professes: “…doors open for us not only in the legal field but in other fields…” “...having the training as paralegals gives us the upper hand especially in the critical and analytical thinking process; these two qualities are hard to come by.” 

When asked what he would tell someone thinking about enrolling in the Paralegal Studies Program, and embarking on a career as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant, Paul responded, “Roosevelt University’s Paralegal Studies Program is highly recommended by a lot of firms in the city due to how the courses are taught. If you're considering law school, I recommend you attend the (Paralegal Studies) program.  I knew people who were in their first year of law school stressing out on briefing cases or preparing a case memorandum. I look at them and tell them they should have attended the (Paralegal Studies) program.”

Also, when asked what he enjoys most about his current position (Vice Chairman), Paul stated, “I love to problem solve.  Each case is never the same and the approach is always different. Seeing your part in the ‘big picture’ is most satisfying when the party your team is representing prevail s...” "…working for a law firm can be great; cases are different.." ..."working for a corporation, you deal with the same issues; however, you deal with the issues enough to master the outcome.”

Paul’s plans for the future, in his words, "To retire working for the Legal Department for the Chicago Cubs! Realistically would that happen? I doubt it, so I take life and my career one day at a time!”

When Paul isn’t working, he enjoys sports; working out; and coaching little league baseball (in the past).  

Some of Paul’s additional accomplishments, post-graduation, include the following: participation in the planning and development stages of the new Text Messaging Program (Chicago Police Department; Chicago Public Schools); guest Principal in the “Principal for the Day”  Program; presenter/lecturer for the Institute for Paralegal Education; spokesperson for CAPS;  and appearance on several T.V.  and radio shows to discuss how the Cook County Crime Stoppers can help solve criminal cases with the help of the public.

College of Professional Studies