Gina Shaffer
Attorney/Founder
Gina Shaffer graduated from UB Law School and is licensed to practice law in Maryland (2001) and Virginia (2003). She began her career as an attorney at Miles & Stockbridge, and it was there she discovered her passion for the senior population and elder law. Seeking to work in the local community, Gina began her solo law practice in Bel Air in January 2004. She enjoyed a ten-year law partnership with Brad Stover and Eric McLauchlin from 2011 to 2021.
In 2022, she re-established her solo law practice, focusing on elder law and estates & trusts. Gina is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association Solo Section, Elder Law Section, and Estates & Trusts Section. She has served on several local non-profit boards in Harford and Worcester Counties. Gina’s philosophy is that clients should experience a warm, friendly atmosphere and still receive quality legal services.
Gina divides her time between our Bel Air office and Ocean Pines offices. When time allows, Gina enjoys golfing, bike riding, watching baseball and visits to the beach.
Patrick Hanley
Associate Attorney
Patrick was born in Maryland and received his bachelor’s degree from Rollins College. Before law school, he worked at a geriatric care management company and became passionate about helping elders and their families. As a result, he opted to pursue a career in Elder Law.
Patrick obtained his Juris Doctorate from Penn State Dickinson Law School. He was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2020 and joined Shaffer Law in 2023.
Katy Bailey
Legal Assistant
Katy, a California native, has been working in the legal field since she was in high school and started working in her dad’s law firm (on the kitchen table!) as a young adult. What started as simple reception work blossomed into a career working in estate planning. Katy holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland in Political Science. Her passions in her work are simple – making sure the elderly are not taken advantage of and assisting in the needs for long-term care. She works best under pressure and is an integral part of the Shaffer Law team. Her favorite part of her work is the people she has met who share life stories and life tidbits during meetings.
In her free time, Katy enjoys museums, True Crime-related TV, reading, traveling, her pets, and hanging out with her favorite people. She loves the Dodgers, the Oregon Ducks, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sarah Richard
Office Manager
Sarah joined the SLO team in March of 2023 after being home for several years with her children. With a background in healthcare, she is excited to learn more about the legal world. When not working, Sarah likes to read, exercise, travel, and spend time with her family.
Kimberly Kvech
Receptionist
Kimberly has been the Receptionist in our Bel Air Office since August 2023. Kimberly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Math & Computer Science from UMBC as well as a Master’s in Computer Science from Northeastern and is enjoying learning about the new-to-her legal field.
Kimberly enjoys gardening, knitting, reading, learning Irish, her cats – and spending time with her two grown children when they get a chance to visit Maryland.
Grace Keck
Shaffer Law Clerk
Grace is a senior at Harford Technical HS where she studies cyber security. After graduation, she plans to major in forensic accounting at either West Virginia University or James Madison University. Grace has been with the SLO team since 2022. You will often find Grace processing mail, filing, and occasionally answering the phones. Because of her strong understanding of math, she also assists with estate accountings. Her favorite part of work is talking to the clients and creating a personal connection with them. She is involved at school in various honor societies and takes classes at HCC.
In her free time, she loves hanging out with her friends, taking trips, and walking her dog.
Nikki West
Office Assistant, Eastern Shore Office
Nikki is the Office Assistant in our Eastern Shore Office. She began working part-time at Shaffer Law Office in January 2022. Nikki attended Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education as well as a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Although her degrees focus on teaching, she has been a stay-at-home mom while running her own business for the last 11 years. Throughout her career, she has accumulated extensive experience in sales and office administration. Her attention to detail makes her the perfect person for our Eastern Shore Office.
Nikki and her husband, Jason have lived in the Snow Hill area for the last 18 years with their 3 children. In her free time, Nikki enjoys taking her kids to soccer games, having dance parties with her kids, traveling, and being outdoors on pretty days.