“Advocacy is at the heart of what I do,” said Natalie Martinez, a recent graduate of UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s online Paralegal Studies Certificate Program.

Living with chronic illnesses, Natalie learned to speak up for herself at an early age. Experiences with discrimination and misunderstanding—from medical professionals to employers—fueled her early passion for championing others’ rights.

She volunteered at food banks and supported families on limited incomes to help make healthy, home-cooked meals more accessible.

After injuring her shoulder, she hired a local workers’ compensation attorney who advocated for her care.

“Watching how attorneys fought for injured workers left a lasting impression on me and ultimately sparked my interest in law,” she said.

Unable to work in food service due to her injury, she pivoted careers and began working at a nonprofit health insurance company as a claims and benefits specialist. She received tuition assistance to pursue a master’s in public health but had to shift gears again to become an in-home supportive services caregiver for her parents.

Inspired by how powerful advocacy can be when paired with legal knowledge, Natalie turned to UC Davis CPE’s Paralegal Program to expand the support she could provide her parents.

“The Paralegal Program gave me the legal tools to strengthen the advocacy I was already doing for my parents,” she said. “It helped me understand the systems and rights involved, so I could approach these challenges not just as a caregiver, but with the confidence of someone trained to navigate legal processes.”

What inspired you to pursue the Paralegal Certificate Program at UC Davis CPE?

Enrolling in the program was about pursuing a passion that has been with me for years: advocacy. I’ve always been driven to stand up for people—whether in health care, insurance, caregiving or social justice. The program helped me connect my advocacy work with the legal frameworks that shape access to care and protect vulnerable populations.

It wasn’t just about exploring a new career path—it was about expanding the tools I have to make a difference.

In many ways, the program felt like the natural next step in my journey, empowering me to turn lived experience into professional expertise that could support others facing discrimination, negligence or denial of care.

What were you hoping to achieve by completing this program?

My goal was to gain the legal knowledge and practical skills to strengthen the advocacy I was already doing for my parents and others navigating complex systems. I wanted to approach challenges not only with compassion and lived experience, but with a clear understanding of laws, procedures and rights.

I also hoped the program would give me a foundation to expand my career opportunities. My work in health insurance, public health and caregiving showed me how often seniors, patients and vulnerable populations fall through the cracks. Through this program, I wanted to position myself to bridge those gaps.

The program gave me the tools to connect my background in community nutrition, health care and caregiving with the legal system, so I can continue to stand up for those who might otherwise be overlooked.

How did the program help you move toward your goals or shift the way you think about advocacy?

Completing the Paralegal Studies Program gave me the ability to research and apply the law in a structured, professional way. I learned how to identify relevant case law and statutes, analyze precedent and use those findings to strengthen legal arguments.

This transformed how I approach advocacy. Before, I relied primarily on lived experience and compassion. Now, I can pair that with legal analysis, making my work more strategic and effective.

Which aspects of the program had the biggest impact on you and why?

One of the most valuable aspects of the program was learning the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Application and Conclusion). It gave me a clear framework for approaching legal problems and breaking down complex issues into manageable steps.

Lexis and Westlaw were also valuable. They opened a new world of legal research, helping me locate statutes, civil codes and case law efficiently.

I also found the module on tort laws especially engaging, particularly the case law examples that showed how definitions and rules establish precedent.

Another unexpected but fun aspect of the program was the movie recommendations at the end of each section. These films showcased the lessons we learned and demonstrated how they applied in real-world scenarios.

Building confidence in my ability to break down complex legal concepts into plain language has become one of the most powerful tools I carry forward.

Was there a specific project or moment in the program that really stood out to you?

The project that stood out most was the mock client assignment. I created interview questions for client intake, drafted causes of action and complaints, prepared motions to request admissions and production materials, and ultimately wrote a trial brief that pulled together all my research and analysis.

The mock client project gave me a safe but challenging way to practice applying legal research, precedent and analysis to real-world issues, strengthening my commitment to using the law as a tool for advocacy and social justice.

It solidified my interest in discrimination cases and advocating for historically marginalized groups who often face significant barriers to justice and health care.

How do you plan to use your training moving forward?

I would like to work for a firm that handles personal injury and tort cases, as well as discrimination and consumer protection cases. These areas connect directly to the skills I developed in the Paralegal Certificate Program and the advocacy work I’ve already been doing.

With recent cuts to critical FDA and USDA funding, I see opportunities to apply my nutrition degree and food safety knowledge to negligence claims involving contaminated food and products. Food and drug laws are changing rapidly, and that has me seriously considering law school with a specialization in food and drug law, or even a master’s degree in health law.

I am also exploring the possibility of working for a legal nonprofit that assists low-income individuals. That path would allow me to combine my passion for advocacy with my legal training.

What’s next in your advocacy journey?

My experience in this program inspired me to keep learning, and the Paralegal Healthcare Law Program that CPE offers feels like the next step in building the expertise I need.

Access to health care is an absolute necessity and a human right, and I’ve seen firsthand how complicated it can be when patients’ rights aren’t respected. Diving deeper into areas like malpractice, negligence, insurance disputes, elder care and administrative law would enhance my existing knowledge.

What excites me most is the chance to connect my caregiving experience and my background in public health with further legal training. I would like to take the E-discovery elective, since it’s a highly sought-after skill and would strengthen my ability to support complex litigation.

What advice would you give to someone considering this program?

The best advice I can give is to treat the self-paced structure as both a benefit and a responsibility. Block out time each day to study and write, because cramming at the last minute won’t give you the depth you need to understand the material. Attention to detail is critical.

At the end of the program, you’ll have a portfolio you can use in job interviews to showcase your work. Make it memorable and polished.

Dedicate time to mastering Lexis and Westlaw—these research tools are essential. If you have access to a law library, visit it and get comfortable with non-digital research as well.

When choosing your mock client, pick a case that resonates with you. The assignments that follow will be more engaging and meaningful if you care about the issues at stake.

Finally, give yourself extra time to learn contracts and California Court rules. The material may feel dry, but it's foundational and will prepare you for the real-world demands of the profession.