Faculty Stories: Capper Grant

Capper Grant


Program: Paralegal Studies

Capper Grant was captured by an appreciation of law as a service profession.

"It offers advice and persuasion about matters of great importance. Success was expected by those who effectively counseled and convinced clients, judges, juries, administrators, employees and friends," he said. "For me, a day with such success was a good day, and a day with failure was, nevertheless, a learning opportunity. Law practice rewarded me with many good days, and more than a few learning opportunities. My interest in law practice was fueled by days like these."

Grant was as resident attorney of an in-house counsel for a leading insurance company. He founded and managed its staff of attorneys and paralegals. Certified by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, he instructed trial attorney skills and often presented to client organizations.

Although he has retired from active practice, Grant continues his work as a teacher in College of DuPage's Paralegal Studies program. And he's discovered that a fulfilling career in education is a calling.

"Maybe this calling started as a Boy Scout merit badge instructor, continued through college days as a fencing instructor, enhanced as an Army educator during service in Vietnam, and reached fruition during four decades of a law practice," he said. "Volunteering as a judge for the Illinois High School Moot Court competition introduced me to the market of young adults learning trial skills. To them, I advised something a famous trial lawyer once said. He said that juries are not to be persuaded; rather, they are to be taught. And now, my calling is to teach preparation for careers among professionals in law practice."

For his consistently high quality of work, Grant was named an Outstanding Divisional Part-Time Faculty Member and was the keynote speaker for the Lambda Epsilon Chi (LEX) Paralegal Honors Society induction ceremony. He wants to see graduates from the Paralegal Studies program successfully enter the marketplace with eyes wide open to life’s possibilities, and to burst with excitement and confidence when tackling serious tasks. He also knows this will not be easy for many of them, but he is inspired by their pursuit of education in the face of hardship. 

"Our students invest time and money and hope in the training we offer. Many, if not all, have remarkable life stories featuring challenges to be overcome before success will call them. Their backpacks are overly full, distractions are many. When they nonetheless make it to class, I am inspired to make that time the best hour of their day. If I am successful in my service, their best hours count toward good days for me. My inspiration is fueled by such students on days like these."

More about the Paralegal Studies program