Team 1 — Paralegal Education & Training Institute

Learn from Experienced Legal Professionals

At the Paralegal Education & Training Institute , we believe exceptional legal education begins with exceptional instructors. Our instructors are selected not only for their professional experience, but also for their commitment to teaching, mentoring, and preparing students for success in today's legal profession.

The Paralegal Institute instructional approach combines practical legal knowledge with real-world experience, creating an engaging learning environment where students develop confidence, professionalism, and workplace-ready skills.

Our Instructional Philosophy

Education is most meaningful when students can learn directly from professionals who have applied legal principles in real-world settings. At the paralegal institute, our instructors encourage discussion, collaboration, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making while sharing practical insights from their professional experience.

Our goal is to help every student build the knowledge, confidence, and professional judgment needed to succeed in a variety of legal environments.

Our Commitment to Students

Every Paralgel Institute instructor shares a common commitment to providing an engaging, supportive, and professionally focused learning environment. Through instructor-led education, practical application, and meaningful mentorship, we strive to help students build the knowledge and confidence needed to begin or advance their careers in the legal profession.

As the Paralgal Insitutte grows, additional instructors and guest professionals will join our educational team, bringing diverse legal expertise and perspectives to the classroom.

Joanne Allen, MBA

Ms. Allen graduated from California State University, Fresno, with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and later earned her MBA. Her qualifications include over 44 years of experience as a transactional paralegal and 30 years of experience teaching legal, business, and general education courses at the community college and university level. Her administrative position as a Paralegal Program Director for five years and her experience creating, designing, and drafting curriculum has made the establishment of the Paralegal Education & Training Institute, Inc. a natural progression.

Ms. Allen, as a seasoned transactional paralegal, supports clients, including businesses, attorneys, and organizations in a wide range of legal and business matters. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for professionalism, precision, and a deep understanding of transactional law. She is passionate about educating and mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.

Teaching Areas

Transactional Law
Law Office Administration
Legal Communications.

Founder & Chief Financial Officer

Dr. Debbie Dodd, PsyD

Dr. Dodd has worked as a Complex Litigation Paralegal for over 40 years, graduating from San Joaquin College of Law’s inaugural class in the Paralegal Program. She taught in the Fresno City College Paralegal Studies Program for 19 years and served on the Advisory Board. She holds a Master’s Degree in Organization Development and a Doctorate in Psychology. She was raised in the San Joaquin Valley town of Tranquillity, California as the daughter of a farming family. Her ties to the Valley are deep, and she wants nothing more than to strengthen our educational presence and provide high-quality educational opportunities to all that want to learn. She is hands on and present and believes that good mentoring is a valuable key to success

Teaching Areas