In this episode of “Celebrating Justice,” trial lawyer Brewster Rawls from the Rawls Law Group shares his journey from spending over three decades as a defense lawyer before switching to full-time plaintiff and how that experience sets him apart. He shares stories about the unique focus of his firm on FTCA and Veterans Medical Malpractice. Brewster emphasizes the importance of trial experience and the ability to go to court for achieving justice. He also shares a story of winning a case without experts and discusses the challenges faced by military members in seeking recourse for malpractice.

Key Takeaways

• Defense experience gives trial lawyers an edge in knowing what can be defended and what can't be defended.
• Trial experience is invaluable in understanding what works and what doesn't work in presenting a case to a court or jury.
• The ability to go to court and have recourse is essential for achieving justice, especially in cases involving military malpractice.
• The legal profession needs more trial lawyers who can go to court and try cases effectively.

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In the latest episode of "Celebrating Justice," trial lawyer Cynthia Attard from the firm Ikhilov & Associates shares her journey from being a corporate attorney to a police officer, and then returning to the legal field as a personal injury trial lawyer. Cynthia recounts how her experience as a police officer has uniquely equipped her for her current role, providing her with an edge over her peers due to her firsthand understanding of law enforcement procedures and courtroom dynamics.

Cynthia also discusses impactful cases from her career, including one particularly challenging personal injury case involving a botched pedicure. She also shares a memorable police story, touching on the emotional and professional challenges of transitioning between careers. For her “Closing Argument,” Cynthia shares insights on picking juries and connecting authentically with clients and jurors.

Key Takeaways:

1. Diverse Experiences Enhance Legal Practice: Cynthia's background as a police officer provides her with unique insights and skills that set her apart in the field of personal injury law.

2. Importance of Genuine Client Connection: Building a rapport with clients and jurors is crucial. Cynthia emphasizes the significance of face-to-face interactions and treating clients with empathy and respect.

3. Challenge and Opportunity in Every Case: Every case, no matter how small or seemingly straightforward, has its unique challenges and potential to impact clients' lives significantly.

4. Transitioning Skills Across Careers: Skills and experiences from seemingly unrelated careers can be an asset in law, as demonstrated by Cynthia’s transition from police work to legal practice.

5. Advocacy Beyond the Courtroom: Cynthia’s stories illustrate the broader impact of personal injury law in holding corporations accountable and advocating for individuals who have been wronged.

6. Persistence in the Face of Doubt: Cynthia’s advice to new attorneys highlights the importance of perseverance and confidence, teaching that even unlikely cases can have successful outcomes with dedicated effort.

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In this episode of “Celebrating Justice,” we explore the remarkable journey of trial lawyer Michael Stephenson. Michael shares his unconventional path to becoming a lawyer which didn’t start until his final year of college. Although he had no legal influence growing up and was studying music theory in college, Michael decided to take a pre-law course and discovered his passion for law. His interest and natural talent for law helped him excel in law school and eventually fueled his desire to work in the courtroom.

Michael shares how his experiences in the criminal defense clinic and winning “most outstanding trial advocate” while competing on the mock trial team pivoted his focus from pursing environmental law to becoming a trial lawyer. He recounts impactful cases from his time as a public defender and how connecting with his clients and winning his first case, all while still in law school at the University of Oregon, solidified his commitment to personal injury law and emphasizing public service as a crucial aspect of his career.

For his “Closing Argument,” Michael discusses the often-misunderstood role of personal injury lawyers, the profound impact that civil litigation can have in holding corporations accountable, and how powerful it can be for doing good in the world.

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Presented by CloudLex and Lexvia.