Professor Profiles

Carin M. Gordon
Cathleen Mestre

Carin M. Gordon
Carin Gordon became a full-time faculty member and the Program Director in the Fall of 2003. She practiced law for 13 years in Massachusetts and Florida prior to becoming involved in education full-time eleven years ago when she became the Director of Education and an instructor of Rollins College’s Paralegal Studies Program. She then joined Education Management Corporation (a consultant to Rollins College), where she worked for eight years. She was Executive Director of one of its schools, The National Center For Paralegal Training (NCPT) in Atlanta. NCPT was ABA-approved and one of the pioneers in paralegal education. With the closing of NCPT, Carin opened her law office in Orlando. She maintained her connection to education as an adjunct instructor in the M.B.A. program of the University of Phoenix and at Florida Metropolitan University. She has been an adjunct instructor at Massachusetts School of Law and Barry University and also has publishing experience, having worked as Associate Editor of Southern Boating Publications. A member of the Florida and Massachusetts Bars, Carin received her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and her B.A. from Connecticut College. When not at Valencia, Carin enjoys anything to do with American Studies, being on or in the water, and reading mystery novels.

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Cathleen Mestre

Professor Cathleen Mestre teaches Legal Research and Theory I and II, Business Law 1, Business Organizations, and Real Property Law I and II.

She grew up in Winter Park and graduated from Winter Park High School. She subsequently graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in English. During graduation she earned the honor of "Most Outstanding Female Graduate" of her class for her academic performance and her participation in extracurricular activities. After earning her undergraduate degree she immediately started attending Notre Dame Law School. Upon graduation from Notre Dame with her Juris Doctorate degree she returned home to Orlando to practice law. 

After passing the Florida Bar Exam, she began practicing at a very large, downtown Orlando law firm where they rotate associates through various practice areas. She practiced real property, environmental law, business organizations, and litigation. After leaving this firm, she had her own private practice where she did contract research and writing projects for attorneys. 

She began teaching at Valencia in 1992 as an adjunct professor. She was hired full time in 1993. She loves teaching and finds great joy interacting with the students and seeing them aspire to reach their educational and professional objectives. 

On a personal note, she is a busy mother of five! She and her husband enjoy taking the kids boating; attending many of their children's school and sporting events; traveling; and participating in their church community. 

Under her leadership, Valencia's paralegal program has thrived. The program became approved by the American Bar Association in 1998. Her goals are to make sure that the program graduates confident and well prepared paralegals.

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