LAWCROSSING
THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF LEGAL JOBS ON EARTH
STUDENT PROFILE
www.lawcrossing.com
1. 800.973.1177
Heather Ann Thompson: Senior Paralegal and 4L [By Mahsa Khalilifar] Stepping into her fourth year at Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, located in Highland Heights, Heather Ann Thompson says she is looking forward to entering the complete world of law, and not just the paralegal side of it.
Attending Chase’s evening programs and
intellectual property and copyrighting issues.
explains. “There are night students who are
working full-time in-house for the legal
When not at work, Thompson attends night
M.D.s, nurses, C.P.A.s, police officers, social
department of Cincom Systems Inc., a local
classes at Chase.
workers, bankers, and from just about every field you can imagine, which makes for what
software company, Thompson is ready to move up in her company and achieve her
“The night program brings in many other
I believe to be a very enriching learning
goals.
professionals from other areas outside of
environment!”
the law who bring their extra experience “I found the software industry and the legal
and insight to the table when it comes
Thompson credits her family and friends for
issues and challenges that come in the
to learning, reading, interpreting, and
being her support system, and she is excited
intellectual property field to be so interesting
discussing cases that may not be brought
about the upcoming months.
that I decided to take the plunge and go to
to a typical law school class,” Thompson
law school myself,” Thompson says. After working at a smaller firm for two years, in 2000, she got her job at Cincom Systems Inc., which resulted in her final career choice for now. “My experience as a paralegal assisting other practicing attorneys led me to the ultimate decision to go to law school and take my legal career to the next level,” she says. Having obtained her B.A. degree from
Q. What do you do for fun? A. Spend time with family and friends and travel when I can. Scuba is the most enjoyable thing I have done in my spare time while vacationing! Q. What was the last song you heard on your iPod? A. Coldplay. Q. What is the last magazine you read? A. Real Simple.
“I graduate this December with my J.D. and am planning to take the Ohio bar exam in February,” she says. “I have been offered a position as an inhouse attorney [at my company] and look forward to the promotion once I pass the bar exam,” she proudly adds. “I feel very fortunate to have secured employment prior to graduating law school!” Thompson’s best memories have come
Q. What is your favorite TV show? A. Shark.
from the experiences she’s shared with her
Q. Who is your role model? A. My grandmother Margaret and the attorneys I work with every day!
“Probably my favorite [memories consist
classmates.
Morehead State University in paralegal studies with a minor in literature, Ohioborn Thompson started working as a paralegal upon graduation. She worked for a small Cincinnati firm that mostly handled probate cases and estate planning. Shortly thereafter, she received her job at Cincom Systems Inc., where she has been for about seven years. Thompson’s senior paralegal position involves a variety of different tasks pertaining to the law industry, such as
PAGE
Q. What is something most people don’t know about you? A. That I have a very artistic side and love cooking, painting, and decorating. I am currently taking a Saturday mosaic-tiling class at the Cincinnati Art Academy as my creative outlet. My current mosaic piece is a tabletop piece for my living room and a side table for my dining room.
of] the bonding that occurs and lasting friendships that are made with your fellow students as you battle through the law school experience together,” she says. Thompson advises future law students to work in the legal sector before deciding to practice. “Working in a law firm as a paralegal/legal assistant for a summer is a great way to get
continued on back
LAWCROSSING
THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF LEGAL JOBS ON EARTH
STUDENT PROFILE
www.lawcrossing.com
a taste of what working in the law is all about
Thompson also encourages other working
and to determine if it is for you before deciding
adults to take night classes.
to jump right into law school,” she says. “There
1. 800.973.1177
On the Net Salmon P. Chase College of Law
is a lot of practical knowledge and experience
“Don’t discount attending a night program if
to be gained by doing things hands on, directly
you can be gaining practical experience during
under the guidance of a licensed attorney,
the day,” she says. “I’d encourage every law
Morehead State University
that just can’t be had by simply attending law
student to try exploring elective classes that
www.moreheadstate.edu
school straight out of undergrad.”
truly interest you as well as joining some of
chaselaw.nku.edu
the student organizations. [They are] great
Cincom
As someone who has had first-hand
ways to figure out what area of the law you’d
www.cincom.com/us/eng/index.jsp?loc=usa
experience with an evening law program,
like to practice in once you are there!”
PAGE