F&P Spotlight on Principal Jennifer Helsel

What is your practice area, and how did you choose it?
I handle Virginia Workers’ Compensation claims.  I began working for an insurance defense firm out of law school.  I knew very little about workers’ compensation but really enjoyed the cases.  I like the fast pace of workers’ compensation and the ability to come to a fairly quick resolution relative to liability cases.  I also enjoy the small state-wide workers’ compensation bar and the collegiality among the attorneys on both sides of the cases.

What is your favorite aspect of working at F&P?
I really enjoy the people here.  In our Herndon office, we get together as an office once a month for lunch.  It is a good chance to get to catch up with those I don’t work with on a daily basis.

What’s your favorite restaurant/show/event?
My family’s favorite restaurant is the Taqeuria el Poblano, near our house in Arlington, Virginia.  We have been going there after soccer and swim team practices for 20 years.  Every time my kids come home from school, it is their first dinner back.  They make the best margaritas and the restaurant holds many special memories for me.

Tell us something about you that few of your colleagues and clients would know.
We own a 15-year-old leopard gecko.

What do you like to do outside the office?
I enjoy hot vinyasa yoga and long walks.

Have you read any good books or seen any good movies this year that you would recommend?
As far as books, I really enjoyed “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr.  For movies, I loved “Coda.”

What is your favorite food?
Panazanella (Italian bread salad)

What is your all-time favorite city or town and why?
Duck, North Carolina.  We have been going there since 1991.  We love the peace of the beach.  Also, I enjoy walking along the boardwalk on the sound.