LSCPA Paralegal instructor McPherson named Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
Michelle McPherson
During one week in October of each year, pro bono attorneys are publicly heralded for the contributions they make to their communities. For Michelle McPherson, pro bono work is a daily dedication.
McPherson, an adjunct paralegal instructor at Lamar State College Port Arthur, was recently named the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year by the Jefferson County Bar Association. She is an attorney with the MehaffyWeber Law Firm in Beaumont.
“Every client is unique and every story is important,” McPherson said. “From the simple routine divorces that allow people to move forward to the demanding cases with complex child custody issues, property, or retirement issues—every person deserves to have help if he or she cannot afford it.”
Pro bono, or legal representation at no cost for those who qualify, is a passion for McPherson, who started her education at LSCPA as a paralegal student before earning a bachelor of applied arts and sciences at Lamar University in 2002.
She received her degree to practice law at South Texas University School of Law. She joined MehaffyWeber in 2006, returning to LSCPA at the same time as an adjunct professor in the paralegal program. She teaches Paralegalism, Business Law, Civil Litigation, Torts, Interviewing and Investigation, and Advanced Legal Document Preparation.
“We are blessed to have students of vision and drive like Michele who seek out their dream career. Their success is our success,” LSCPA President Dr. Betty Reynard said. “The dedication she has shown in pursuing her career and then her contributions to society through the pro bono program exemplify what our college hopes to instill in our students.”
McPherson is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Bar Associations of Jefferson and Orange counties. She is a member of the Grace Lutheran Church where she serves on the Board of Disciple Development. She has also worked with the Salvation Army and St. Paul United Methodist Church in Bridge City during the Hurricane Katrina fundraiser, PAWS of Bridge City, the Gift of Life-Julie Richardson Procter Run/Walk, Habitat for Humanity and Back to School programs in Orange County.
Lamar State College Port Arthur is currently registering students for the Spring 2017 semester and classes in the Paralegal Program are available for those students interested in pursuing law as a career. Visit www.lamarpa.edu for more information.
