GLS Injury Law is very pleased to welcome Lancaster County native, Helen Shaubach, our newest staff member. Helen, a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University Paralegal Program, brings with her 20 years of experience as a litigation paralegal specializing in the fields of auto accident law, slip and fall claims, serious bodily injury cases, and civil litigation.
Helen is a professionally certified member of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), which is headquartered in Tulsa, OK. She is also a longstanding member of the Lancaster Area Paralegal Association.
As a dedicated and seasoned paralegal, Helen is constantly striving for a more comprehensive understanding of litigation issues. Her experience, skills, dedication, and compassion for her clients align perfectly with the values and traditions upheld by GLS Injury Law
Q&A
Q: What was your background before becoming a paralegal? Was it something you always wanted to be?
A: I became interested in the legal profession in high school while working part time in a law office. I found it really interesting and realized that this would be a career that I would want to pursue.
Q: What kind of schooling / certifications are required to become a paralegal?
A: There are several ways you can obtain a paralegal degree. You can get a four-year degree, a two-year degree, or a paralegal certification degree. At this time, there is no professional licensure through the State. However, there is a national association, NALA, where you can obtain certification if you pass an extensive 2-day exam. I have attained this professional certification and maintain this through continuing legal education.
Q: For those who aren’t familiar with your position, what is a litigation paralegal, specifically?
A: Litigation begins when a lawsuit is filed. A litigation paralegal is trained to handle all aspects of a lawsuit, from the filing of a complaint through the trial process. I have attended numerous trials throughout the State of PA and worked with witnesses to coordinate their testimony and appearance at trial.
Q: Where did you work prior to coming to GLS Injury Law?
A: Prior to working at GLS Injury Law Form, I worked with a great attorney, William Haggerty. Sadly, he became ill and was forced to leave the profession. Bill Haggerty and I worked very closely together and he taught me so much about personal injury law.
Q: Why did you want to join the GLS Injury Law?
A: Tony Georgelis and I first crossed paths when I worked for Mr. Haggerty. I saw how well Tony worked with people and his talent as a personal injury lawyer. When the opportunity arose join the GLS Injury Law, I knew that it would be a perfect fit because of the way this firm treats their clients and how they handle cases. In particular, there are good people working here who try to do good for others.
Q: What are you typically responsible for on a day to day basis?
A: On a day-to-day basis, I am responsible for managing our client’s cases which includes calls to insurance adjusters, medical providers and the clients themselves to make sure that we have all information necessary to properly present their claims for resolution.
Q: What is the most interesting case you’ve worked on?
A: The most interesting case I worked involved a young man, age 25, who became a paraplegic from a diving accident. There was extensive investigation into the depth, clarity and conditions surrounding the water where the dive took place. It was at a State Park in PA, and we had to travel to the scene to do testing, etc. Also, it was very interesting working with this young man and seeing just how motivated he was considering his devastating injury.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: What I enjoy most about my job is being able to help people get through very difficult times in their lives.
Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family either hiking, biking, boating, or doing anything outdoors. I also go to the gym on a regular basis with friends. One of my daughters plays college softball, so I enjoy traveling to her games. We also enjoy the beach, and we make it a point to get there a couple of times a year.
