About Paralegal Institute 

Bridging Talent with Opportunity

Paralegal Institute is a premier educational hub dedicated to training future paralegals and supporting businesses to hire, train, and retain top-tier talent. We empower aspiring legal professionals through immersive, hands-on training that goes beyond theory, equipping them with the practical skills needed to excel in fast-paced legal environments.

Our programs are designed with real-world applications at their core, combining expert-led coursework, simulated casework, and exposure to current industry practices. This approach ensures our graduates are practice-ready from day one, capable of contributing effectively to legal teams.

In addition to student education, we provide resources to law firms by providing information to streamline the hiring process and improve paralegal retention. Whether firms need help with recruitment or continuing education, we offer solutions that foster long-term growth and success of their staff.

At Paralegal Institute, we don’t just educate—we cultivate a community where future paralegals and legal employers connect, grow, and thrive.

Our Mission

At Paralegal Institute, our mission is to provide exceptional education and training that empowers individuals to build successful careers as skilled, knowledgeable, and confident paralegals. We are committed to delivering practical, hands-on learning experiences that bridge the gap between education and the demands of real-world legal environments.

Our goal is to foster a community of excellence by equipping students with the tools they need to thrive and by supporting law firms with resources to recruit, train, and retain top talent. Through innovation, expertise, and a passion for legal education, we aim to shape the next generation of paralegals and contribute to the success of the legal profession.

Company History and Background

The Paralegal Institute was founded with a vision to meet the growing need for skilled professionals in the legal field. Inspired by the evolution of the paralegal profession during the 1980s and 1990s, the institute was established to provide specialized training for individuals who could support lawyers with research, document preparation, and case management. 

Matthew Pfau, Paralegal Institute’s founder and a legal educator and practicing trial attorney, recognized the gap between traditional legal education and the day-to-day needs of law firms. He built the Paralegal Institute’s curriculum to emphasize practical, hands-on learning, ensuring that students were not only familiar with legal theory but also ready to perform effectively in real-world settings. This focus on practicality reflects the historical development of the paralegal role, which arose to bridge the gap between attorneys and clerical staff and make legal services more accessible and efficient.

With the dual purpose of equipping aspiring paralegals and supporting law firms in hiring and retaining these professionals, Paralegal Institute continues to thrive as a leader in paralegal education. The school's founding mission remains rooted in addressing the legal industry's demand for capable support staff, enabling smoother workflows and expanding access to justice—a mission that mirrors the foundations of the national paralegal movement.

Since its founding, the Paralegal Institute has evolved into a leader in legal education, driven by a commitment to bridging the skills gap between academia and the demands of modern legal practice. A pivotal moment in the institute's growth was its strategic partnership with Ryan Woodward, CEO of the National Technical Institute (NTI). Woodward's leadership has brought transformative insights into vocational training, focusing on hands-on education and workforce development.

Through this partnership, the Paralegal Institute benefits from Ryan’s emphasis on practical education models and industry collaboration. His leadership promotes student success by ensuring training programs meet employer expectations, preparing graduates for high-impact roles in law firms. The institute continues to innovate in its approach to paralegal education, reinforcing its mission of empowering individuals and supporting legal employers in recruiting and retaining top talent.

This collaboration underscores the institute’s commitment to developing practice-ready professionals who can make immediate contributions in legal environments, marking a new era of growth and impact in paralegal education.

Our Curriculum Design

The Paralegal Institute's curriculum was originally designed for use at a large public university, where its founders worked as instructors. Over time, they identified critical gaps in the university’s existing legal training program, realizing that a more practical, hands-on approach was essential to better prepare students for real-world legal environments. When these insights were presented to the university’s administration, the university adopted the Institute’s enhanced curriculum, recognizing it as a solution to bridge the disconnect between academic instruction and the actual demands of law practice​.

The new curriculum emphasized practical applications of legal knowledge, such as document drafting, case preparation, and legal research, aligning closely with the needs of modern law firms. This shift proved to be a success, leading to more practice-ready graduates capable of making immediate contributions to their employers.

After several years of refining the program in collaboration with the university, the creators decided to expand beyond the academic setting. Drawing on their extensive experience in legal education and litigation, they launched the Paralegal Institute as a nationwide school to serve aspiring paralegals across the U.S.​

The curriculum was shaped not only by the founder’s experience hiring and training paralegals but also by feedback from students, attorneys, and practicing paralegals. This iterative process ensured the program remained relevant, evolving with the changing landscape of the legal industry. The result is a curriculum that integrates essential legal theory with the day-to-day skills demanded by law firms, offering students a comprehensive education that balances academic rigor with practical readiness​.

Today, the Paralegal Institute stands as a national leader in paralegal education, leveraging a curriculum that blends real-world experience with practical instruction. Its commitment to continuous improvement ensures that graduates not only meet industry expectations but exceed them, contributing meaningfully to the success of legal teams nationwide.

Our Team

About Matthew G. Pfau, Esq.

Matthew began his legal career working in the field of Estate Planning immediately out of law school because he knew that this field was going to allow him help people in a way that would positively impact the remainder of their lives.

After a few years of practice, Matthew discovered his passion for the field of Personal Injury. Matthew realized that practicing Personal Injury combined his passion for helping individuals and for client advocacy. When individuals and corporations will not do what it right, Matthew steps in to protect the rights of individuals who stand to lose everything. He is a zealous advocate for his clients in court and has completed numerous successful jury trials.

Matthew now owns and operates a medium sized law firm, H&P Law, that hires numerous paralegals. Matthew’s experience hiring and training paralegals inspired his passion for teaching and also inspired the development of the Paralegal Institute curriculum. 

Matthew has taught paralegals at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and he also teaches other attorneys trial skills at the request of organizations such as the Nevada Justice Association.

About Mallory Leake

Mallory is passionate about imparting legal skills to her students and equipping them with the tools they need to excel in their careers. Mallory was hired by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to teach paralegals in their certificate program immediately after she graduated from the program due to her demonstrated proficiency. Mallory was also hired by a litigation law firm immediately after her graduation from UNLV’s paralegal program and quickly became the lead paralegal of that firm based on her demonstrated skill and knowledge.

Mallory's journey into the legal world began with her education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice before obtaining her Paralegal Certificate. She takes great pride in guiding others through the complexities of the legal system, finding joy in the opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives. In her free time,

Whether she's working with clients or teaching students, Mallory feels fulfilled knowing she’s helping people navigate their legal challenges with confidence and support.

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Student Success

Our curriculum has a long track record of successfully landing our students in paralegal positions at law firms nationwide.