Meet the Team: Debbie Edelman

Debbie Edelman has worked with attorneys her entire career and knows what makes Stampone Law special. “We talk about Stampone as being family oriented and we are,” she explained. ” It’s the team aspect.  We know about each other, we have a great rapport, we know each other’s families.  Clients can feel it.  We treat them like we treat each other.” Deb should know.  She has been working at law firms since before her graduation from St. Hubert’s High School, where she initially gravitated toward stenography.  She ended up instead alternating weeks at high school and the Swenson Skill Center, where she honed her skills as a paralegal –and started at her first firm at age 16.   When she graduated she simply kept working her way up. “There weren’t really paralegal schools then.  So, I learned on the job.” Those jobs spanned three law firms and increasingly greater responsibilities. In addition to being a paralegal, Deb had a stint as an Office Manager as well.  Today she is skilled in estate administration, corporate and business formation, and electronic research and investigation. She is particularly knowledgeable in complex personal injury litigation.  As Deb grew her career, she also grew her family, helping to raise two-step children and two daughters, all adults now.   “I’m a grandmother now to Timmy and Teigan aged six and one year old.  I can’t believe it.” While Deb takes great joy in her family, she still finds satisfaction in her work with Stampone Law.  Starting as a part time paralegal more than 15 years ago, she agreed to come on full time at Joe Stampone’s insistence.  “I’d be in the lower level working and Joe would constantly say ‘when are you coming to work full time Deb?’  So, a year later I did.” Joe Stampone was glad she decided to come on board:  “Debbie is like having another attorney in the office, she is that good,” he said. Deb spends 90% of her time working in litigation with Attorney Kevin O’Brien, where suits go directly to court.  She relishes the opportunity to meet the needs of their clients who may, through no fault of their own, have been injured permanently.  Finding justice for local families, especially those from Northeast Philadelphia, where she was born and raised, is what Deb is most passionate about. “You may not be able to heal a person emotionally, like when there are young children left behind.  But you can at least help a family financially get back on their feet.  We make sure those who are in the wrong are held responsible.  It is important to see these cases through to the end.” Even after cases end, Deb enjoys occasionally hearing from their former clients. “Sometimes they call and it is so nice they remember how we’ve helped them.  I really love hearing from our former clients who just may need some advice.” Deb is proud to work for a firm that puts its clients first, and she believes Stampone Law is one of the best firms around as it advances into the future.  “We are always looking to improve.  We have younger attorneys who bring great new ideas in technology and client support.  We are always bettering ourselves.  That is the difference.” That competitive edge comes naturally to Deb and her family, avid bowlers for decades.   Her husband Russell, a truck driver for Stericycle, has been bowling for more than 40 years and they are close with their four children, two of whom are still in college. Their eldest, son Brendon, 33, and daughter Brittany, 30, still bowl every week with their Dad. Daughters Beccah and Brooke compete as bowlers at the NCAA level at Chestnut Hill College in Chestnut Hill and Mt. Aloysius College in Altoona.  Both are studying elementary education.  Deb refrains from bowling today.   “It’s been some time for me.  When I am not working I am busy traveling with my husband and cheering on our daughters for two different colleges,” or vacationing in Maryland and the Outer Banks in North Carolina.  RV owners, the family enjoys time together with their children and grandchildren.  They eventually hope to travel more often. “Someday we’ll retire and travel.  That’s the plan.”