The Practice of Giving: Perkins Coie Supports UW Certificate Scholarship

Perkins Coie joins growing list of corporate and civic groups helping fund scholarships for professional certificate programs

The Practice of Giving: Perkins Coie Supports UW Certificate Scholarship

Perkins Coie joins growing list of corporate and civic groups helping fund scholarships for professional certificate programs

Are you a Washington resident looking to develop your legal expertise to start or jump-start a career as a paralegal?

If so, we’re here to help with a new scholarship opportunity from Seattle-based international law firm Perkins Coie.

Thanks to Perkins Coie’s funding support, we’re expanding the reach of the UW Certificate Scholarship program to include the UW Certificate in Paralegal Studies. The UW paralegal program is the research university’s longest-running professional certificate, first launched in 1985. The scholarship award for the UW Certificate in Paralegal Studies covers 100% of the program costs, including required textbooks, providing future law professionals with the tools they need to thrive.

“With U.S. demand for paralegals forecast to increase by 10% in the next decade, we are honored to partner with Perkins Coie to make this in-demand field accessible to more deserving Washingtonians,” said Rovy Branon, vice provost, UW Continuum College.

The rigorous, 11-month UW Certificate in Paralegal Studies is designed for professionals seeking to become paralegals, law assistants or enter other law-related occupations, including those considering law school. Through the certificate, students will gain a solid understanding of the U.S. legal system, explore major aspects of court systems, hearings, trials and laws, and learn about litigation, legal research, contracts, technology and professional ethics.

“Perkins Coie is proud to support a scholarship that invests in the success of under-represented, diverse, economically disadvantaged and first-generation college students in the state of Washington,” said Carol Van Buren, Paralegal Director at Perkins Coie.

Discover the difference the UW Certificate Scholarship program makes in students’ lives by hearing the stories of past scholarship recipients, which include recent immigrants building new lives in the Seattle region, adults who didn’t earn a college degree and people impacted by COVID-19 layoffs.

Learn More

Interested in applying for a scholarship? Visit the UW Certificate Scholarship page for details, including a complete list of certificates included in the fall 2021 UW Certificate Scholarship program and information on eligibility. Scholarship applications for this fall are due by July 15.

To support the UW Certificate Scholarship Fund, visit the UW Continuum College site to make a gift.


For more announcements from UW Professional & Continuing Education, visit the News & Features section of our website. To learn more about our certificates, specializations, degrees and courses, explore your options or contact us.


Author Brenna Ciummo

Brenna Ciummo

Brenna Ciummo is a senior editor and writer at the University of Washington Continuum College and has more than 15 years of writing and editing experience. She's developed a wide range of copy, from in-depth feature stories to bite-size blurbs across various industries, including education, travel and food. She enjoys covering student success stories and the latest trends in the career and education space.

Ciummo has a B.A. in communication and writing certificate from Arizona State University. A firm believer in lifelong learning, she is also an alumnus of the UW Certificate in Storytelling & Content Strategy and a UW copy editing and design course. 

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