Student Stories: Katy Ebbesen

Major: Paralegal Studies

Katy Ebbesen had an interest in the law at a young age but mistakenly thought a legal career was something she could not achieve.

“I grew up without much money and means, and I unfortunately felt like the legal profession was beyond my reach,” she said.  

Oddly enough, what changed Ebbesen’s mind was her divorce.

“My ex-husband and I parted ways amicably, and I took care of drafting all the necessary documents, filing them and appearing in court,” she said. “Once everything was finished, I realized how much I enjoyed the process and decided that I wanted to make it my career.”

Ebbesen already had a bachelor’s degree before enrolling in the Paralegal Studies program at College of DuPage, where she found that a legal career was well within her reach. 

“The confidence I got at COD by working hard and doing well has served me greatly throughout my career,” she said. “COD is a great community with a lot of assets to help students succeed. The professors, and especially Program Chair Sally Fairbank, really care about students and their career goals and will continue to help long after you graduate.”

After earning her certificate, Ebbesen—who gave birth to her second child right after graduating—worked as a paralegal for five years. During this time, she realized that her ultimate career goal was to become an attorney, so she took the LSAT, applied to Northern Illinois University College of Law and was accepted. 

While at NIU, she was honored with several awards and scholarships, including the Presidential Scholarship, which came with a full tuition waiver; awards for the highest grade in Evidence class and Securities Regulation; a scholarship from the DuPage County Bar association; and an award for her essay on the subject of evidence. She also placed in the semifinals for the Moot Court and the Mock Trial competitions.

Ebbesen graduated summa cum laude, seventh in her class and with an award for best performance in the field of criminal law. Having passed the bar exam, she is now an associate attorney at a civil litigation firm in Naperville and just had her fourth.

Having accomplished her ultimate career goal, she is enjoying her work and looks for new opportunities.

“I do enjoy coming back to COD to participate in the Paralegal Expo, and I loved training new paralegals when I was a paralegal myself,” she said “I would anticipate wanting to do something along the same lines, such as working in a supervisory or teaching capacity but as a lawyer.”   

Ebbesen cannot thank COD enough for helping her achieve what she once thought was impossible.

“COD helped me exponentially,” she said. “The education I received as part of the Paralegal Studies program propelled not only my paralegal career but also helped make me successful in law school. I found that my first year of law school was smoother than I imagined thanks in large part to the classes I took at COD.”

As for prospective students, Ebbesen advises them to not sell themselves short.

Paralegal Studies Success Stories

“I spent too much of my life doubting myself and I wish I hadn’t wasted that time,” she said. “Life is hard and there are a lot of obstacles, but higher education is something that can benefit everyone. If you feel stuck in your life, go to school. It is full of opportunities to learn and grow, and the people you will meet there are all rooting for your success.  

“I think accessibility to education is a hugely important issue, and COD provides a stellar education for low cost and low barriers to admission. We are very lucky in DuPage to have such a great college available to us, and the education you’ll receive as part of the Paralegal Studies program is second to none. If a resume comes across my desk and it shows they obtained their certificate at COD, I know they would be a great asset to any firm.” 

Learn more about the Paralegal Studies program at College of DuPage