Carlton Brown was initially drawn to the field of law through sports. An avid basketball player throughout college, it was the lens through which he saw his future. 

“My focus was singular—I wanted to keep playing for as long as possible,” he said. 

After earning a bachelor's degree in business administration, Carlton still dreamed of extending his basketball career. So, he moved to Rome to pursue a master’s in sports management and coaching, which gave him the opportunity to play professional basketball in Italy. 

“I was able to compete, gain a broader cultural perspective and reflect more seriously on what my long-term goals would look like beyond basketball,” he said. 

That reflection led him to consider law school as a potential path into sports agency. But before committing, he wanted a clearer understanding of what practicing law looked like day to day. Rather than applying immediately, Carlton made a strategic decision to gain practical experience in the field first. That’s when he discovered UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s online Paralegal Studies Certificate Program. 

“The certificate program allowed me to build foundational legal knowledge over the course of six months while continuing to study for the LSAT and work part-time,” he said. 

Shortly after completing the program, Carlton secured a position as an estate planning paralegal, handling trusts, wills, probates and aspects of tax and business planning—getting his first real look at the legal profession and emerging technologies. 

“While sports and entertainment law initially sparked my interest in attending law school, this experience has broadened my perspective and made me more open to exploring other areas of practice,” he said. 

The Paralegal Studies Certificate gave Carlton the opportunity to build foundational skills, strengthen his confidence and test whether a legal career was the right fit. Today, he’s preparing to apply to law school and plans to continue advancing his legal knowledge through UC Davis CPE’s Paralegal Specialist Programs in wills and estates, along with coursework in real estate law and elder law. 

He reflects on what motivated him to enroll and how the program helped shape his path forward. 

What motivated you to enroll in the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program? 

Flexibility was a major factor in my decision. UC Davis’ asynchronous format allowed me to balance LSAT preparation and part-time work while still completing the program in a structured and manageable way. The program made it possible to take a meaningful step toward a legal career without putting everything else on pause. 

What were your goals going into the program? 

My primary goal was to develop the foundational skills necessary to land a paralegal position and contribute meaningfully from day one. I wanted to enter the legal field with enough working knowledge to be effective and confident in a professional setting. 

How did the program help you move toward your goals? 

The program provided practical knowledge and resources that helped me secure my current role and understand how a law office operates. It also gave me the ability to communicate more effectively within a legal environment and approach my work with greater structure and attention to detail. 

What aspects of the program did you find most valuable? 

One of the most valuable aspects of the program was how it emphasized transferable skills across different areas of law. While day-to-day responsibilities may vary depending on the area of practice, the program prepares you with a foundation that can be applied in a variety of legal settings. 

Can you share a moment or insight from the program that really stood out to you? 

Something that stood out to me was the encouragement to responsibly incorporate AI tools into legal workflows. I’ve since seen firsthand how these tools can improve efficiency and organization when used appropriately in a professional setting. 

What advice would you give to someone considering the Paralegal Certificate Program? 

I would recommend this program to anyone looking to transition into the legal field or prepare for law school without having to give up current obligations such as work, study or family commitments. One thing I wish I had focused on more was time management. Because the coursework is asynchronous, it’s important to stay consistent and engage with the material regularly rather than trying to complete everything at once.