Shelia Grela, EDRM Global Advisory Council Leader and paralegal at Procopio, was honored by the California Alliance of Paralegal Associations with CAPA’s Paralegal of the Year award. EDRM has been proud to support the Virtual Lunch with Leaders (VLL), an online educational and networking event every Friday of the pandemic initiated and championed by Sheila and the San Diego Paralegal Association (SDPA) where she holds the office of VP, membership.
“EDRM is grateful for Sheila’s paralegal advocacy as we collaborate on frameworks and guidelines that all of our multidisciplinary community can use,” said Mary Mack, EDRM CEO. “We are also grateful for her willingness to help others, whether they are moving from city to city or job to job.”
Shelia’s nomination letter from her home base, SDPA, says it best:
Personal growth through professional development. You can’t separate the two. They affect each other.”
Sheila Grela, Paralegal, ACP, CEDS, Mentor, Fierce Advocate, Leader
“Personal growth through professional development. You can’t separate the two. They affect each other.” – Sheila Grela, Paralegal, ACP, CEDS, Mentor, Fierce Advocate, Leader
It is with great enthusiasm that SDPA nominates Sheila Grela, for CAPA’s Paralegal of the Year. This award is to honor those who have made a difference. She has indeed made that difference, locally, nationally, and internationally.
Sheila has been a paralegal for over two decades. She received her paralegal certificate with honors from USD and earned a Contract Management Certificate from SDSU. She obtained her Litigation Technology Management Certificate through UCSD Extension Studies. She is a Certified eDiscovery specialist (CEDS) and an Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP®). She is experienced in all aspects of litigation. She has assisted attorneys on matters ranging from multi- million-dollar contract litigation through class action suits.
When considering qualities, a paralegal of the year holds, Sheila checks all the boxes, going above and beyond the call of duty. Currently serving as SDPA’s VP of Membership, she is an active member of the Association of Certified eDiscovery Specialists, National Association of Legal Assistants, San Diego Legal Secretaries Association, and Women in eDiscovery, San Diego Chapter. She is a member of the Board of Advisors at EDRM and continues to maintain an active presence at large.
A fierce advocate, passionate teacher, and selfless leader. Her foundational understanding on why self-education and mentorship are crucial to paralegal’s success have been demonstrated through her commitment to her community through service. At the start of the pandemic, her superpower skills kicked into action. Through SDPA she began the Virtual Lunch with Leaders (VLL). The community has remained active and continues to grow. Individuals are empowered to network and learn. Countless paralegals have been connected to mentors, landed jobs, and made new friends. This has been a free event open to the public reaching the community on an international level. Through the course of almost two years, VLL has dissected the definition of “paralegal”. Through her ability to interview leaders, she has been able to explain how the scope of the paralegal role differs depending on the firm you are working for, case types, seniority levels, and continues to present tools and resources for all.
Through the amalgamation career and passion, Sheila and has fully dedicated herself to professional development for all through mentorship, continuing education, and networking. Uunderstanding early on that to properly serve both the attorneys and clients, it is critical to understand concepts involved civil litigation and in eDiscovery. She has mastered both procedural and technical aspects that are mandated to perform in the legal area and continues to share her wisdom by training, mentoring and making educational appearances through organizations, colleges, and conferences.
Her knowledge and experience, are an invaluable asset to the legal community. Sheila is an excellent leader and role model. Through service she is an excellent exemplar of CAPA’s mission to “Strengthen through statewide alliance-providing a voice of leadership in promoting education, voluntary examination, and advancement of the paralegal profession.”
