Julia Dunlap to Serve as President of American Association for Paralegal Education

Julia Dunlap, Esq., director of legal education for UC San Diego Extension, has been selected by her peers to serve as president of the American Association for Paralegal Education.

Dunlap will be sworn in as the 2017 president of the American Association for Paralegal Education at its 35th Annual Conference, which is being held this week, at the Grand Hyatt in San Antonio, Texas.

She is replacing Robert Mongue, M.A., J.D., associate professor of legal studies at the University of Mississippi, who served as the president in 2016.

“She was elected by a vote of paralegal program directors from educational institutions located in all areas of the country. That alone says a lot about our judgment of Julia, her qualifications and her leadership capabilities,” Mongue said.

For more than a decade, Dunlap has been in charge of UC San Diego Extension’s paralegal programs, ensuring the courses and curriculum provide students with an understanding not only of the law but also with the practical skills needed for a successful career. Dunlap also has been a leader in incorporating new technologies and innovations into Extension’s ABA-accredited paralegal certificate program, helping the program remain on the leading edge of legal education while providing flexibility for students to the program. For instance, the paralegal certificate program is offered in formats to fit various professional lifestyles, including full, part-time and a unique 12-week accelerated option.

As part of her commitment to innovation, Dunlap recently developed an online eDiscovery and Litigation Technology certificate to help legal professionals meet new continuing legal education requirements or gain proficiencies to meet Duty of Competence rulings.

Hugo Villar, director for business, science and technology at UC San Diego Extension, said Dunlap’s forward-thinking approach to legal education will benefit paralegal programs throughout the country.

“Julia’s passion and vision for legal education is what makes her programs so successful,” Villar said. “She is able to predict the needs of the community and create programs that align with demands. We are proud of her accomplishments and congratulate her on the well-deserved selection as president of the American Association for Paralegal Education.”

To find out more about UC San Diego Extension’s legal education learning offerings, visit at extension.ucsd.edu/law.