Program: Legal Studies
Courtroom dramas are television mainstays, but the backstories are often more intriguing than the final verdict. Much of the work done on those real-life backstories is accomplished by graduates of College of DuPage’s Legal Studies program.
Annie Knight, assistant professor and Legal Studies program chair, brings a dynamic set of skills and professional experiences to her oversight of the American Bar Association-approved program. Students learn from practicing attorneys who lead classroom and online courses in ethics, torts, legal research and civil litigation, to name a few, providing a comprehensive education that meets the national standard.
As the daughter of an attorney, Knight was always intrigued by law but wanted to come to her career decision on her own.
“I was a dancer and wanted to continue in college, so I majored in dance at the University of Illinois and switched my major to psychology my sophomore year,” she explained. “I wasn’t looking at law school. But when I was selecting classes freshman year, I saw a course and still thought, ‘This is probably something I should take if I want to go to law school.’”
After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Knight taught special education for two years. Then came the “aha” moment.
We want students to understand the breadth of the law.
Annie Knight
“I listened to coworkers talk about daily routine and life events, and I wanted to talk about policies and issues. That’s when I said OK, it’s time to go to law school.”
After graduating from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in California, Knight was staff attorney for the judges of DuPage County before serving as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Kendall County and Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois.
Listen to the Legal Studies Career Ready Podcast
Now at COD, Knight continues to provide students with the needed opportunities to succeed, whether they are pursuing the Legal Studies Associate in Applied Science or the Paralegal certificate. She works closely with the student Paralegal Club, which invites lawyers, judges and paralegals to campus for weekly discussions on their areas of expertise as well as to share “war stories” that bring dynamic cases to life.
Through this type of experience and a required internship, Knight said COD graduates are well-prepared to work in any field of law, allowing them to pursue individual interests.
“We want students to understand the breadth of the law. Guest speakers talk about everything from white collar crime and mafia prosecutions to animal rights and environmental law,” she said. “Many of our students are currently working in law offices or are interested in going to law school but want to begin their career as a paralegal professional.”
Having started her career in the classroom, Knight now finds herself back working with students, although it is very different from her first experience. But she admits that she has found her dream job.
“I served as Chief Notes Editor of the Law Review in law school, and, in that role, I guided 1L and 2L students through the scholarly writing process. I absolutely loved helping my fellow students learn how to craft a thorough and well-reasoned legal analysis. I knew, from that point on, that I wanted to teach law.”
Learn more about the Legal Studies program at College of DuPage
5 Questions With Annie Knight
Learn more about Annie Knight and her insights on legal education, personal experiences and what drives her passion for justice.