Inver Hills Paralegal Program

Faculty

Adam Elling
Adjunct Paralegal Instructor

Background
Experienced adjunct paralegal instructor
B.A., Political Science and African American Studies, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia
J.D., University of Minnesota Law School

In addition to teaching, Mr. Elling has 9 years of experience as a public and private attorney including serving as the Student Legal Service Staff Attorney – University of Minnesota, and an Associate Attorney at Patton, Hoversten & Berg, P.A and Lampe Law Group, L.L.P. Also, Adam taught English as a second language as a volunteer for the United States Peace Corps.

Christopher Crutchfield
Adjunct Paralegal Instructor

Background
Experienced adjunct paralegal instructor
B.A., Minnesota State University – Mankato, Mankato, MN
J.D., Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, MN

n addition to teaching, Mr. Crutchfield has 20 years of experience as a public and private attorney including serving as the Deputy Director of Community Relations and External Affairs Ramsey County Community Corrections, and is a Qualified Neutral Arbitrator. Mr. Crutchfield also established the Capitol Heights Law Group, PLLC as its founding attorney. Chris has taught Media Law and Ethics at St. Cloud State University.

Chyara Smith-Stopp MSML, LLM, JD
Paralegal Program Coordinator

Courses taught
Introduction to Law and Contracts, Legal Research, Legal Writing And Analysis, Real Estate, Employment Law, UCC and Business Organizations, and Paralegal internship

Background
Experienced faculty for both undergraduate and graduate programs
B.A., Stanford University
M.S., Western Governors University
M.L., Ruprecht-Karls-Universität
J.D., The University of Michigan Law School-Ann Arbor

In addition to teaching, Ms. Smith-Stopp is a practicing attorney with experience as an in-house legal counsel and conducting neutral workplace investigations for large Fortune 500 companies. She sees herself a student of the law and loves the nuances of law. She is passionate about teaching, and enjoys bringing real-world technology experience to the program to develop the scope and skill of her students.

Gerald Swarsensky, J.D.
Adjunct Paralegal Instructor

Courses Taught
Introduction to Law and Contracts, Criminal Justice System, and numerous Accounting classes

Background
Experienced adjunct paralegal instructor
B.A., University of Wisconsin – Madison
J.D., University of Wisconsin – Madison

In addition to teaching at IHCC, Mr. Swarsensky has over 20 years of experience teaching many basic and complex accounting classes, and has served as an accountant. Also, Jerry teaches law courses at the William Mitchell College of Law and accounting courses at Normandale Community College.

Michele Boe, J.D.
Adjunct Paralegal Instructor

Courses Taught
Probate Law

Background
Experienced legal presenter
B.A., University of Minnesota
J.D., William Mitchell College of Law

In addition to teaching attorneys and paralegals, Ms. Boe is the Senior Development Officer, University of Minnesota Foundation – Medicine and Health-Heart. She recently served as Executive Director of Foundation and Community Relations at Inver Hills Community College & Dakota County Technical College. Michelle’s private practice specialties included litigation and probate work as an Associate Attorney with Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala.

Robert Miller, J.D.
Adjunct Paralegal Instructor

Courses Taught

UCC and Business Organizations, Litigation and Trial Practice, and Computerized Legal Research and the Internet

Background
Experienced adjunct paralegal instructor
B.A., History and Social Science, Winona State University
J.D., Hamline University School of Law

In addition to teaching, Mr. Miller is an Instructional Designer (Educational Consultant) for Thomson Reuters, and Arbitrator for cases under the Minnesota No-Fault statute. Also, Bob is a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice. Mr. Miller served as a Reference Attorney and Senior Quality Assurance Specialist at Thomson Reuters.

Wayne Gilbert, J.D.
Adjunct Paralegal Instructor

Courses Taught
Real Estate Law and Family Law

Background
Experienced adjunct paralegal instructor
B.A., University of Minnesota
J.D., University of Minnesota Law School

In addition to teaching, Mr. Gilbert, of Lutter, Gilbert & Kvas, LLC, is certified as a Real Property Law Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association.  He recently served as Vice President & General Counsel, River City Holdings, LLC, a holding company that owned a mortgage company, real estate company, title company, and commercial office buildings.  Wayne’s private practice specialties include business organizations, regulatory compliance, business litigation, family law, and serves as a mediator.