UC Clermont Paralegal Student Invited to Testify before Congress

Janet Shaeffer, a UC Clermont College paralegal student, was invited to testify before the bipartisan Congressional Taskforce on Illegal Guns, on April 15 in Washington D.C. Her previous deposition testimony -- in a civil action seeking injunctive relief from illegal gun sales -- led to the opportunity. She was accompanied by Page Beetem, Assistant Professor of Paralegal Studies.

According to Shaeffer, she experienced first-hand what she learned in her paralegal classes. She participated as a witness in a deposition, saw the inner workings of Congress, took a private tour of the United States Capitol and was intimately involved in the preparation and work that goes into our legal system. Shaeffer’s contributions are making a difference now.

"I was honored to be asked to be a part of something so important.  It was so exciting to be able to see first hand how Congress works.  It was truly a remarkable experience that I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Shaeffer who is originally from Milledgeville but now makes her home in Hillsboro.

When Jeff Rubel, the paralegal program director, was asked about the trip, he said that he is proud to have Shaeffer in the program and that “she is just the type of person who will make an excellent paralegal—she has a natural curiosity for the law and the tenacity to fight.”