Ms. Pagac has been counseling, training, and defending employers since 1988. She has successfully defended her clients in state and federal courts throughout The United States.

Q: When did you know you would pursue a career as an Attorney?
SP: When I was growing up, I used to argue with everyone, so everyone told me I would make a good lawyer. My father was a coal miner, and my mom was a stay at home mom, and I had no idea what a lawyer really did. However, having the opportunity to argue with someone every day was exciting to me.

Q: Can you share with our audience, the types of law you specialize in?
SP: I practice employment law defense work, meaning I represent companies, not individuals, in all type of workplace disputes including discrimination and harassment matter. I also conduct investigations for clients, I counsel employers as to how to deal with employees, and I provide anti-harassment and diversity training. I am also a trained mediator.

Q: What aspects of the daily job of being a lawyer interest you the most?
SP: Dealing with people and helping address and fix their problems.

Q: If we interviewed all your past clients … what is “one” common word that comes up when they describe working with your law firm? 
SP: Passionate

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue a career as an Attorney?
SP: Do it! Lean overboard! Create and keep the contacts you make in college and law school. The person sitting next to you hungover in class may be CEO of a company some day or a business owner or a senator. You never know. 

Q: What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today? 
SP: Self – confidence. 

Q: Can you tell our audience one of your most memorable moments your career?
SP: Two funny ones - Getting my husband out of a ticket going through a stop sign, or when my daughter told me to quit deposing her. My serious most memorable moment was being awarded the Susan B. Anthony Award for my efforts to creating equality for women in the community. 

Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience?
SP: Your mental and physical health is so important. You cannot do your job or take care of your family if you don’t take care of yourself. 

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
SP: Woman attorneys. I received an email message from a colleague in Atlanta last week. She is going to trial in a few weeks, and then vacation. She asked for meal prep she could do for her family to take on vacation. What! She is getting ready to try a case and was worried about food for her family. I love how much we juggle … and do it in heels.

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
SP: Be assertive and flexible. Take every opportunity presented to you. Do not be afraid to fail. Even if you do, you learn from it, and you will do better the next time. Take time to develop relationships in the office and do not just sit at your desk.

Q: What would be the title of your autobiography?
SP: “She kept her bubbles.”  

13 Things About Shelly Pagac

1. What's your favorite family tradition? 
We visit my family in Richeyville at Christmas and go from family to family. My dad was the youngest of 11, so many of my cousins still live there, although only my dad and his next oldest brother are still living.  

2. What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Bruce Springsteen.

3. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time? 
Read

4. What was the last book you really got into? 
I loved the “Good Lord Bird.” I could not put it down.

5. What’s your favorite international food? 
Indian

6. Who is your favorite author? 
John Irving

7. What TV shows did you watch when you were a kid? 
The Munster’s; HR Puffenstuff; Star Trek

8. What would your perfect vacation look like? 
Visiting cities, going to museums, restaurants, and bars.

9. Do you read reviews, or just go with your gut? 
Gut

10. What would you sing at Karaoke night? 
Enter Sandman

11. What were you like in high school? 
A cheerleader

12. What was your favorite subject in school? 
English

13. Cake or pie? 
Cake