People often ask why I chose to practice personal injury law.
The truth is, personal injury law chose me.
Like many law students, I wasn’t entirely sure which area of law I wanted to pursue when I started school. I knew I wanted to help people and make a positive impact on their lives, but I wasn’t sure precisely how.
However, during my second year, I noticed a job posting from one of the top personal injury law firms in our area. They were looking for a law clerk, and that opportunity would forever change the course of my career.
As any law student knows, finding clerkships during law school is crucial. It’s a chance to get hands-on experience and explore different areas of law. When I saw the posting for this clerkship, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the opportunity to learn from some of the most accomplished personal injury lawyers in Arkansas.
Little did I know just how much that decision would shape my future.
Learning from the Best Personal Injury Attorneys in Arkansas
I vividly remember the day I decided to apply.
It was early in 2011. A snowstorm had just passed, and my wife and I found ourselves with some rare downtime. With a bad case of cabin fever, we slowly made our way to a local restaurant for lunch, where we talked about the opportunity.
I’ll never forget the excitement I felt about the possibility of working at this firm. It almost startled me.
It felt like the start of something different, something important, something that would give me the chance to really change the world.
Not long after, I scheduled my first interview with an attorney who is now a good friend and mentor. That initial meeting went well, and I was invited to a second interview with the managing attorney—the owner of the firm.
That too went great, and I was offered the job.
Baptism by Fire
From the moment I started, I was thrown right into the action. My first big task was working on a significant case that was set for trial that summer.
It was a baptism by fire, and while I was primarily responsible for research, I was also able to sit in on countless “skull sessions” to evaluate evidence and strategize.
Of course, I also handled a lot of the grunt work, such as preparing jury instructions. Despite the challenges, it was an incredible introduction to the field of personal injury law and, more specifically, trial work.
The real turning point for me was attending that trial.
Observing Consummate Professionals, Helping Families Achieve Justice
I sat alongside these incredible attorneys, listening intently and assisting with research as issues arose in real-time. I even had the chance to read deposition testimony into the record because one of the witnesses couldn’t attend.
I’ll never forget my boss offering his critique when I didn’t quite hit his preferred inflections while delivering the deposition answers in court. It was a small moment, but it reflected the level of dedication and detail that personal injury work demands.
That trial was hard-fought, but we won—it resulted in a historic $17 million verdict, the largest verdict ever recorded in that county.
Being part of something that monumental, seeing firsthand how the justice system really came through for that family—it was exhilarating.
Over the course of that trial, we became more than just attorneys and clients—we became family.
That’s something that happens when you work closely with people whose lives have been shattered by an injury or loss. You get to know them deeply, and you feel their pain as your own.
That feeling of being able to help someone you’ve come to care for achieve the justice they deserve after they’ve been horribly wronged—well, there’s nothing like it.
I wanted to keep at it. I’ve always been passionate about people, but this is where my obsession with getting my clients justice truly started to develop.
It wasn’t just about winning—it was about helping these people, who had become my family, to heal.
Becoming a Professional in My Own Right
I continued clerking at the firm throughout my third year of law school, working side-by-side with those exceptional lawyers. After graduation, I passed the bar and was kept on as an attorney.
At that point, I was given more freedom to make decisions in cases, which made the work even more fulfilling. I spent several more years at that firm, honing my skills and learning the intricacies of personal injury law.
No two personal injury cases are the same, and the learning never stops in this field, which keeps me on my toes and ensures I am constantly evolving, which is good for my clients and good for me.
What I’ve come to realize is that I love the process. The reality of personal injury law is that no one calls me on their best day. People reach out when they’re hurt, confused, and often at their most vulnerable.
I wish no one ever had to get hurt, but when it happens, people need someone they can trust to help them navigate the legal system and achieve the best possible outcome.
For me, that’s where the true reward lies—formulating a plan to right a wrong, executing that plan, and ultimately achieving justice for my clients.
A Never-ending Battle I’m Happy to Fight
Though many don’t, cases can take years to resolve, and the process is long and often difficult. There’s a lot of planning, strategizing, gathering evidence, and sleepless nights.
But all of it leads up to that one pivotal moment—a moment when justice is served.
Whether it’s hearing a jury announce a verdict or reaching a favorable settlement, the sense of relief and satisfaction my clients experience at that moment is indescribable.
It’s like an “overnight success,” but we all know that those successes take work.
Those moments of victory are addictive. They stand out in my mind as reminders of why I continue to do what I do.
Personal injury law may have chosen me, but it’s given me the opportunity to help people in their most challenging times—and there’s no greater satisfaction than that.
If you’re currently experiencing one of those challenging times, I want to help. Contact my office today, and let’s talk about what I can potentially do for you.
