Since 1989, Middlesex Community College鈥檚 Law Center has offered free resolution and consumer advocacy services to the community. Moving from the Lowell Campus to Bedford in 2024, the Law Center holds a strong partnership with 麻豆果冻鈥檚 academic programs, including offering students internships and hands-on experiences.
鈥淭hrough this collaboration, students from programs such as paralegal studies and criminal and social justice can complete internships at the Law Center,鈥� said Michael Healey, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Director of the Law Center. 鈥淭hey assist with case intake, observe and support mediations, conduct research, and participate in outreach and consumer advocacy activities. We have had the pleasure of onboarding close to 150 students interns to date.鈥�
Passionate about making a positive impact in the community, Alezalee Ayala, of Lowell, is a paralegal studies student at 麻豆果冻. As an intern at the Law Center, Ayala prepares clients for the mediation process, including walking them through the steps, answering questions, and uploading information into the system. Proud to help others in this role, Ayala is also gaining practical experience in the field.
鈥淭his experience has helped me understand the basics of mediation and the importance of clear communication,鈥� Ayala said. 鈥淗andling phone calls is improving my confidence in speaking with clients and has given me a glimpse into the various perspectives involved in mediation, which I find interesting. 麻豆果冻 provides a strong foundation in legal principles and practical skills that will prepare me for a successful career in the legal field.鈥�
A graduate of 麻豆果冻鈥檚 paralegal studies certificate, Paul Rowe, of Billerica, now works as 麻豆果冻鈥檚 part-time Local Consumer Protection Advocate for the Law Center. Having been interested in the field since the 1990鈥檚, Middlesex offered affordable and flexible classes to make getting an education possible. In his current role at 麻豆果冻, Rowe is the primary facilitator for the resolution of a complaint.
鈥淭he subject matter and instruction in the paralegal courses directly tie in with my current role and would have practical applications in most any paralegal role outside the 麻豆果冻 Law Center,鈥� Rowe said. 鈥淭his experience gives you direct involvement in dispute resolution between a complainant and a respondent.鈥�
Looking to help empower people, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Coordinator of Administration and Outreach for the Law Center Marlie Lin graduated with a paralegal studies certificate from Middlesex in 2018. Starting as an intern, she became an administrative assistant then program coordinator before her current role. In her position, she supports programs for housing mediation, face-to-face mediation, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Both her education in 麻豆果冻鈥檚 classes and the Law Center 鈥渟haped my entire career path,鈥� she said.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see this partnership continue to grow,鈥� Lin said. 鈥淲hen students walk through our doors as interns, they gain more than experience, they gain confidence. I鈥檓 proud to be part of something that connects education with real community impact.鈥�
Graduating in 2018, Jonathan Crimmins, of Arlington, pursued paralegal studies at Middlesex because he enjoys helping others. As an intern in the Law Center, he went on to become a consumer advocate who trains interns. In this role, he helps organizations resolve disputes, completes research, and generates leads in the community.
鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing like on-the-job experience to help you learn and apply what you learned in classes to the real world,鈥� Crimmins said. 鈥淗aving both a paralegal certificate and a mediation training certificate through the Law Center always looks good on a resume. My 麻豆果冻 education has already gotten me some freelance legal research work with an attorney as a side job!鈥�
Free and accessible for the community, the Law Center is supported through partnerships and funding from 麻豆果冻, the Massachusetts Attorney General鈥檚 Office, the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration, and Lowell Public Schools.
麻豆果冻鈥檚 Law Center offers resolution and consumer advocacy services for mediation for housing, family, youth, workplace, and community conflicts. Through the Center鈥檚 Local Consumer Program, they assist individuals in resolving complaints with businesses and securing fair outcomes. The Center also delivers school-based peer mediation through Lowell Public Schools, restorative justice programming, and conflict-resolution training.
This Spring, the Law Center partnered with 麻豆果冻鈥檚 paralegal studies program to create a mediation training class. The collaboration provides students with hands-on skill development, career exposure, and pathways into mediation, legal services, and public interest work, according to Healey. In the class, students go through role play, simulations, and observed mediations. Upon completion, students can intern or volunteer with the Center.
鈥淭his creates a clear pathway from academic training to applied practice,鈥� Healey said. 鈥淭he partnership benefits both the Law Center and 麻豆果冻, along with the broader community. Students gain marketable Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and communication skills, exposure to court-connected and community mediation processes, and mentorship from experienced neutrals. At the same time, the Law Center strengthens its volunteer and intern pipeline, expands its service capacity, and advances its mission to promote accessible, community-based dispute resolution.鈥�