THOMASVILLE — Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) recently named Tony Jones, Esquire, as a full-time instructor in the Paralegal Studies program.

“I am excited to have a full time instructor for our Paralegal Studies program. As a lawyer and former instructor Mr. Jones has considerable knowledge in the paralegal field. He will continue to grow the program while preparing to obtain the American Bar Association accreditation,” commented Abigail Carter, Dean for the Schools of Business, Professional Services, and Industrial Technology.

In his new role, Jones is responsible for designing curriculum and coursework, serving as the advisor to students in the program, instructing courses, and recruiting new students.

“Having taught on the collegiate level for over twenty three years, my passion and knowledge of the subject area transcends the classroom and engages the student to the point where learning occurs. In the Paralegal Studies program, students will be exposed to theories, concepts, statutes and case law in a manner that marries reality with theory. Having practiced law for more than thirty years, and having been a police officer, prosecutor, and public defender, I weave real life experiences into the fabric of textbook information in such a way that the lesson(s) are real to the students and they are able to draw a contrast between theory and reality. As the paralegal studies instructor, I am here to be learned from, and, in many instances, to learn. My job is not to know it all, but to find the answer, if possible, when asked,” commented Jones.

Jones received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia Law School and his Bachelor of Criminal Justice from Fort Valley State College. He has served in a variety of roles throughout his law career, including Public Defender for the City of Albany, GA, Solicitor for the City of Albany, GA, and practiced private law in his own firm from 1985 to 2011. Jones also lent his teaching skills to Albany State University as Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and to South Georgia Technical College in a similar role. He is a member of the National Bar Association, the Georgia Bar Association, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. Jones also serves on the Executive Board for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany, the board for the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council, and is a deacon at Mount Zion Baptist Church.

The Paralegal Studies associate degree program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for a wide variety of professional positions in the legal field. Additionally, this program provides a practical course of undergraduate legal study for students interested in becoming an attorney. The program of study emphasizes opportunities that provide students with specialized legal knowledge and skills possessed by Legal Assistants in the delivery of legal services. Program graduates receive a Paralegal Studies Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to sit for the National Association of Legal Assistants’ Examination; graduates who pass the exam become Certified Legal Assistants and are awarded the credentials C.L.A. (Certified Legal Assistant). For more information on SWGTC’s Paralegal Studies Program, contact Tony Jones at (229) 227-2784 or at tjones@southwestgatech.edu.

SWGTC offers more than 80 certificate, diploma, and degree programs. Many of these programs provide training for some of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields including Nursing, Automotive Technology, Clinical Laboratory Technology, and Emergency Medical Technology. More information may be obtained by calling 229-225-4096 or by logging onto www.southwestgatech.edu.

Summer Semester 2015 begins May 18.