Darren Shoen

Darren Shoen has been practicing law for 24 years, with a strong focus on helping injured workers with their Workers’ Compensation claims. He has extensive courtroom experience as a trial attorney, and broad experience in negotiating settlements of claims. Darren takes pride in having a ‘boutique” style law firm and making sure his clients have hands-on, personalized representation. Darren and his wife have 3 children, and one grandchild, and they live in beautiful Bedford, Virginia. Darren has also been a councilman on Bedford Town Council since 2018.

 

Education:

• Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 1998
• University of Richmond School of Law
• Virginia Wesleyan College, B.A., History, 1993
• Palomar College, 1988-1991

Association & Links:

• Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission
• Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
• Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group
• Virginia State Bar

John Wheelock

John comes to us with over 25 years of trial experience as a defense attorney and a prosecutor. He is passionate about representing injured motorists, those seeking social security disability benefits, and injured workers. John’s hobbies include mostly reading European history and literature. His interests include art and culture. He lives in Bedford County and can be seen mostly walking slowly at Blackwater Creek Trail in Lynchburg. His favorite author is Vasily Grossman.

 

Education:

• Lynchburg College, M.B.A., 2009
• Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 1994
• Lynchburg College, B.A., Philosophy and Political Science, 1989

 

Association & Links:

• Virginia State Bar since 1994

Ellen Gaberdiel

Ellen has been with Shoen Law since 2005. She is a graduate of James Madison University and has a Paralegal Certificate from CVCC. Ellen and her husband live at Smith Mountain Lake where they enjoy spending time with their two children and six grandchildren.

Stephanie Mendez

Stephanie started working at Shoen Law in 2013. She grew up in Bedford County and graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Criminal Justice. She recently got married in 2017 and now lives in Lynchburg with her husband. When they’re not working, she and her husband enjoy traveling and visiting new places.

Jaime Bruce

Jaime comes to The Law Office of Darren Shoen with legal experience and health and physical therapy knowledge.

 

Jaime was born and raised in Southern California. She studied health and fitness at UCLA. Since then, she moved to Denver Colorado in 2000 with the dreams of opening a fitness studio (Body Integration) and in 2008 she succeeded. Throughout the years she worked closely with Physical, Occupational Therapists and Chiropractors. She is certified as a post rehabilitation specialist.

 

In 2017 she decided to move to Bedford Virginia to be closer to family after the passing of her beloved husband. In October 2021 she joined our team and comes to us with a plethora of experience and skills to assist in our firm.

 

In her free time, she enjoys long rides on her horse Legend and hiking with her two fur babies Arthur and Annie.