Meet Your Instructors

JMU hires experienced legal professionals to teach its online Paralegal Studies Certificate. Each of the instructors below is a practicing legal professional and understands the realities of working in the field.

Picture of Ms. Berling, Paralegal Career Prep Instructor

Belinda Berling has been a paralegal for over ten years in the Phoenix, Arizona area and has worked in a variety of practice areas including commercial real estate, litigation, estate planning/probate, and corporate. She is now working as a contract manager in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Belinda is a NALA-certified paralegal and has earned advanced certifications in contract administration and incorporated business entities. Belinda earned her undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Arizona State University and her paralegal degree from Phoenix College.

Picture of Mark Bong, Paralegal Instructor

Mark G. Bong graduated from the University of Richmond, School of Law and is a member of the Virginia State Bar, the Richmond Bar Association, and the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice, Dispute Resolution, and Family Law Sections. Mark has broad experience in resolving criminal issues in the courts and managing disputes between parties in a courteous and professional manner. His interest in criminal defense and family law is backed by his advocacy experience and his desire to compassionately and effectively resolve issues for his clients. Prior to attending law school, Mark served as a law enforcement officer in Florida for twelve years. During his service in law enforcement, Mark worked as a Patrol Officer, Major Crimes Detective, Government Special Agent, Training Lieutenant in charge of statewide training, and Regional and State Police Captain. Mark has investigated thousands of crimes and conducted task force investigations with local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI, ICE, and Border Patrol. He has testified in hundreds of criminal trials and has wide-ranging experience working with criminal, civil, and administrative court litigation. Before attending the University of Richmond, School of Law, Mark graduated with honors from Harvard University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in risk management and prevention. Mark is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Florida Southern College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

Picture of Steven Traubert, Paralegal Instructor

Steven M. Traubert is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the West Virginia University College of Law. He has worked in a variety of fields, including most areas of civil and business law and has resolved cases through mediation, arbitration, administrative agency hearings, and trial and appellate court. Steven started his practice in Ohio before moving to Virginia and has experience in multiple state and federal court settings. Steven has been practicing law and teaching at the college level for over 20 years, including teaching paralegals for the past 15 years.

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