On Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM Central, Center for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS) will hold its 76th Commencement Ceremony for graduates of its paralegal programs. Due to the large number of graduates who reside outside of the Houston area, this event will be presented via a virtual live stream to acknowledge the accomplishments of all graduates equally. As always, CALS is committed to making this a special event for graduates, families, and friends.
A total of 91 paralegal credentials will be conferred. Paralegal Certificates will be awarded to 63 graduates, and Associate of Applied Science Degrees will be awarded to 20 graduates. Bachelor of Arts: Law and Business degrees will be conferred to 8 graduates. Congratulations, graduates, on your hard work, dedication, and accomplishments.
This event celebrates the first graduating class at Center for Advanced Legal Studies to earn bachelor’s degrees. Congratulations, Noe A. Cisneros, on being CALS’ inaugural bachelor’s degree graduate, and thank you for participating as a speaker in this commencement ceremony.
We’d also like to acknowledge Dona, Jaqueline, Cindy, Zuky, Maria, Melanie, and Christina for their hard work and determination in becoming members of the first graduating class to earn their bachelor’s degrees from CALS. The trust and faith you placed in our faculty and staff is truly appreciated and will never be forgotten. Thank you all.
Jennifer Armendariz, CP, TBLS-BCP, will present the commencement address.
Jennifer Armendariz is a highly accomplished paralegal with over 16 years of experience in the legal field. She is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and holds national certification through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).
In 2009, Jennifer earned her Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from Center for Advanced Legal Studies. She subsequently completed her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
Like many paralegals, Jennifer spent the early years of her legal career exploring different practice areas and firm environments, including personal injury, immigration, medical malpractice, and IP. Each stop along the way sharpened her skill set and gave her clarity on what type of work – and what kind of workplace – best suited her. In 2013, she joined Patterson, P.C., where she supports the founding partner in complex business litigation matters while concurrently managing firm operations.
Jennifer has been an active member of the Houston Paralegal Association (HPA) since 2015 and currently serves as Secretary on its Board of Directors. She has held multiple board positions over the years and is also a member of the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas. As a dedicated advocate for the paralegal profession, Jennifer actively contributes to training initiatives and mentorship programs designed to promote professional development and skill enhancement for paralegals.
The event will be moderated by CALS’ Director of Outreach and Career Services, Tami Riggs, with contributions from members of CALS faculty and staff.
Please share the following links with your friends, families, and colleagues. The ceremony will be streamed on YouTube at 10:00 AM, and attendees can share their comments and photos on the Facebook event page located at https://www.facebook.com/events/1806673110234024/?active_tab=discussion
A printable event program is available for download in Booklet Format or Printable Format.
Many graduates provided photographs and personal statements, which will be displayed as their names are called during the commencement ceremony. Those who provided photos and statements will be displayed below in an image gallery. We appreciate their contributions and wish all graduates success and the best of luck in their careers and future endeavors. Way to go, grads! Way to go, paralegals!
The Center for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS) is a leading paralegal school based in Houston, Texas, offering fully online Paralegal Certificate, AAS Degree, and BA in Law and Business programs. Since 1987, CALS has helped students nationwide launch and advance careers in the legal field through practical, career-focused education.
