I AM
Angela Grijalva,
Legal Document Assistant
Angela Grijalva
|
"It is important for all of us to appreciate where we come from and how that history has really shaped us in ways that we might not understand."
- Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States |
My First Venture Into Law
As a bookkeeper working for a small construction company, I was tasked with the responsibility of collecting on Accounts Receivable. I filed liens, bond claims and represented my employer in Small Claims Court enforcing contracts. At first, figuring out how to navigate the small claims civil court process was daunting. Fortunately, I'm a quick learner and I pick up the process in no time. I had the court process down to an art. After winning all of my employer's cases I was excited. I knew law was for me.
Becoming a Paralegal
Winning in court sparked my interest in a legal career, so I decided to pursue a Paralegal Degree. I enrolled in American River College (ARC) Legal Assisting Program. The ARC Legal Assisting Program is an approved American Bar Association (ABA) program where I received first hand training from legal professional. One of the most influential professors I had the privilege to study under was the Honorable David W. Abbott. His mastery of Torts and Contracts has forever shaped my understanding of the law, its intent and purposes. It was Judge Abbott who solidified my passion for law. While attending American River College, I started working as a Legal Secretary at a local law firm, Mojaddidi Law. The principal attorney practiced Family Law, Immigration and some Criminal Law. This broadened my experience into different areas of law where I had never ventured. After a few semesters, I completed the ARC Legal Assisting Program and obtained an Associates in Legal Assisting. I advanced to become a full-time Paralegal within the law firm. This experience was invaluable.
Law School
After a few years of emerging myself in law as a Paralegal, I knew I wanted to become a lawyer. I made the decision to take the next big step. I applied for law school. I was admitted to Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. While attending Lincoln Law I was concurrently enrolled as California State University Sacramento majoring in Political Science with a minor in Latinx/Chicanx Studies. In order to complete my Baccalaureate Degree, I have taken a leave from Lincoln Law. It is my intent to apply to University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in the coming year. I am working towards the day I will open my own firm.
Becoming a Legal Document Assistant
Meanwhile, until that day comes, I am working as a Legal Document Assistant (LDA) offering professional legal document preparation for Self-Help litigants. I am a registered LDA within the County of Sacramento and a member of California Association Legal Document Assistants (CALDA). I am currently serving as the President of the Capital City Chapter and a Board member serving for the 2017-2019 term.
Community Service
To further promote access to justice I volunteer at non-profit legal aid organizations such as: Sacramento Justice League, My Sister's House, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF), California Association Legal Document Assistants (CALDA) and more. I believe as a member of this community we owe a duty of care to each other.
I am an activist at heart and the law is the pathway through which I pursue my passion. To my follow activist present and future I say this, find your passion and pursue it with vigor. Go boldly into your future and when you fall, as we all have and will, stand up and continue on. do not let the struggle defeat or define you, rather let it sharpen and polish you. Hold your head up, for you are perfect. You are creation. You are the hopes and dreams of our ancestors. Honor them and yourself in living your life to its fullest.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. - Martin Luther King Jr.
As a bookkeeper working for a small construction company, I was tasked with the responsibility of collecting on Accounts Receivable. I filed liens, bond claims and represented my employer in Small Claims Court enforcing contracts. At first, figuring out how to navigate the small claims civil court process was daunting. Fortunately, I'm a quick learner and I pick up the process in no time. I had the court process down to an art. After winning all of my employer's cases I was excited. I knew law was for me.
Becoming a Paralegal
Winning in court sparked my interest in a legal career, so I decided to pursue a Paralegal Degree. I enrolled in American River College (ARC) Legal Assisting Program. The ARC Legal Assisting Program is an approved American Bar Association (ABA) program where I received first hand training from legal professional. One of the most influential professors I had the privilege to study under was the Honorable David W. Abbott. His mastery of Torts and Contracts has forever shaped my understanding of the law, its intent and purposes. It was Judge Abbott who solidified my passion for law. While attending American River College, I started working as a Legal Secretary at a local law firm, Mojaddidi Law. The principal attorney practiced Family Law, Immigration and some Criminal Law. This broadened my experience into different areas of law where I had never ventured. After a few semesters, I completed the ARC Legal Assisting Program and obtained an Associates in Legal Assisting. I advanced to become a full-time Paralegal within the law firm. This experience was invaluable.
Law School
After a few years of emerging myself in law as a Paralegal, I knew I wanted to become a lawyer. I made the decision to take the next big step. I applied for law school. I was admitted to Lincoln Law School of Sacramento. While attending Lincoln Law I was concurrently enrolled as California State University Sacramento majoring in Political Science with a minor in Latinx/Chicanx Studies. In order to complete my Baccalaureate Degree, I have taken a leave from Lincoln Law. It is my intent to apply to University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in the coming year. I am working towards the day I will open my own firm.
Becoming a Legal Document Assistant
Meanwhile, until that day comes, I am working as a Legal Document Assistant (LDA) offering professional legal document preparation for Self-Help litigants. I am a registered LDA within the County of Sacramento and a member of California Association Legal Document Assistants (CALDA). I am currently serving as the President of the Capital City Chapter and a Board member serving for the 2017-2019 term.
Community Service
To further promote access to justice I volunteer at non-profit legal aid organizations such as: Sacramento Justice League, My Sister's House, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF), California Association Legal Document Assistants (CALDA) and more. I believe as a member of this community we owe a duty of care to each other.
I am an activist at heart and the law is the pathway through which I pursue my passion. To my follow activist present and future I say this, find your passion and pursue it with vigor. Go boldly into your future and when you fall, as we all have and will, stand up and continue on. do not let the struggle defeat or define you, rather let it sharpen and polish you. Hold your head up, for you are perfect. You are creation. You are the hopes and dreams of our ancestors. Honor them and yourself in living your life to its fullest.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. - Martin Luther King Jr.
