In this episode of “Celebrating Justice,” Jeffery Campiche shares his journey of becoming a trial lawyer and his focus on maritime, civil rights and medical negligence cases.

For more than four decades, Jeffery has successfully represented people severely injured on maritime vessels, in motor vehicle accidents, by unsafe or defective products, and negligent medical providers. Starting out his busy career as a prosecutor-coroner in Ilwaco, Washington, Jeffery continually utilized the invaluable guidance from his doctor father and fellow trial lawyer George Kargianas that encouraged him to center his client’s needs and prioritize politeness in court interactions.

Listen as Jeffery details thrilling, heart wrenching cases of racial prejudice and corporate negligence, from police shootings to boatman tragedies, and how he approached affected families with the utmost compassion and passion for uncovering the truth and restoring justice, including the famous case of Tommy Le, a young man who was shot and killed by Seattle sheriff’s deputies.

Key Takeaways

• Remember your client’s lawful rights, especially when approaching cases involving marginalized groups.
• Ensure that every client receives equal, lawful treatment in the investigative and trial processes, to the best of your ability.
• Never leave a stone unturned. Examine every suspicious statement or claim in search for the truth.
• Approach every examination and questioning with politeness. Always be respectful and civil with the opposing counsel to ensure a fair, successful trial.
• Put the client first and make them feel cared for.

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In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," we sit down with trial lawyer Sylvia V. Gonzalez, who shares her inspiring journey from considering a career in education to making significant strides in personal injury law. Sylvia discusses her initial aspirations after graduating from the University of Santa Barbara, pivotal moments of career realization, and the experiences that shaped her specialized focus. Her story provides an in-depth look at navigating courtroom challenges and experiencing the unexpected twists that come with jury deliberations.

For her "Closing Argument," Sylvia shares how listening and being true to yourself is the most important thing when following your passion and dreams.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding Jury Dynamics: Sylvia shares a compelling courtroom anecdote underscoring the importance of ensuring accurate jury counts and how a seemingly definitive trial outcome can dramatically change, revealing the jurors' deep sense of duty.
• Overcoming Societal Expectations: Sylvia’s narrative is a testament to defying external doubts and societal expectations, encouraging lawyers and individuals to pursue their true passions despite discouragement from others.
• Empathy and Language Advantage: Sylvia highlights how being bilingual sets her apart in personal injury law, allowing her to directly connect with Spanish-speaking clients, enhancing trust and communication.
• Breaking Stereotypes: Her approachable nature challenges the typical media portrayal of lawyers, reinforcing the value of charisma and openness in legal practice.

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In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," Alyce Wittenstein, senior partner at Wittenstein and Wittenstein, a premier New York City personal injury firm, shares stories about her background in film production, her journey to becoming a trial lawyer, and the history of her firm. Alyce emphasizes the importance of treating clients with respect and meeting their needs and shares a memorable case involving a young woman injured in a rollover van accident. For her "Closing Argument," Alyce highlights the significance of contingency fees in providing access to justice.

Key Takeaways

• Treating clients with respect and meeting their needs is crucial.
• Contingency fees play a vital role in providing access to justice for individuals who cannot afford legal representation.
• Personal injury law allows lawyers to help regular people and make a positive impact on their lives.
• Expanding access to legal services, particularly in divorce cases, can help protect the rights of individuals with limited financial resources.

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From a complicated childhood dealing with parental substance addiction and peer engagement in serious crime, to theater in college and even the Marine Corps, D.L. Rencher has lived through many diverse experiences on his path to trial law. The one common thread through his entire life has been his commitment and fervent interest in social justice. Driven by this passion and his independent persistence, D.L. put himself through law school and dedicated himself to tireless advocacy in his work.

Listen as D.L. shares stories of his personal and career journey and story about a key case with a verdict (regardless of the outcome) that strengthened his relentless resilience to bring justice for his clients.

For his “Closing Argument,” D.L. shares his on the three ways to “go through a wall.” He talks about the importance of of giving everything you’ve got, to leave nothing behind. “Bring it to the table, because this is where it matters. This is the Arena of Litigation."

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Growing up in the streets of New York with few life paths to choose from. As he puts it, he had three choices: join the military, become a trial lawyer, or become a criminal. So that left lawyer and Daniel Horowitz embarked towards a legal career, a full circle path that would eventually allow him to defend people much like those he grew up with. Daniel has been lead counsel in over 200 jury trials as well as thousands of arbitrations and contested evidentiary hearings. As a legal commentator, Daniel Horowitz has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and all major television networks.

Listen as he discusses his motivation to become a trial lawyer and the unique elements that set him apart from other attorneys. He highlights the impactful Ailee Jong case and the positive changes it brought to a substandard institution. Daniel also talks about his involvement with Vice President Kamala Harris and his experiences with the prime minister of Ukraine. For his "Closing Argument," Daniel emphasizes the importance of balancing doing good and making money in the legal profession.

Key Takeaways

• You are never going to be the best, and may not ever be one of the best. It is most valuable to direct your energy towards being serious, professional, and dedicated to serving the needs of your client.
• Learn how to balance the concept of using the law to create positive social change with family obligations and the need to make money. They go together and don’t contradict, despite what it may seem.
• All the most accomplished lawyers have great financial strength behind them. It is important to have financial resources to ensure a strong and secure fight for a verdict.

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In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," trial lawyer Steven B. Barrett shares his intriguing story of how he considered becoming a doctor and a rabbi before finding his true calling in law.

Steven talks about how his ability to connect with juries and clients alike, a skill honed from his thoughtful interactions in everyday life, makes a difference in the courtroom. His numerous stories provide invaluable insights into the nuances of trial work with advice for seasoned and new trial lawyers.

For his “Closing Argument,” Steven touches on the concept of "lawyerly inertia," a term he uses to describe the tendency among legal professionals to rely too heavily on their accumulated knowledge and experience when assessing cases. He emphasizes the importance of breaking away from this inertia by advocating for lawyers to remain curious and vigilant, pushing the envelope by exploring additional depositions or questioning even when a case seems straightforward.

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Being interested in law from a young age, Erica Wilson describes her love for the gamesmanship and uniqueness of trial attorney work. Starting as a teacher while in law school, she fostered her legal passions by taking every opportunity to get into the courtroom and observe. Utilizing referrals and resources, she built her client portfolio and gathered enough business over the course of a summer break to propel her career as a trial lawyer.

Erica is committed to equity and justice and highlights key cases that stand out to her regarding racial discrimination and prejudice. Her passion for education and advocacy has positioned her as a respected figure in both the legal world and the community, where her numerous awards, accolades, and speaking engagements continue to inspire those she encounters. For her “Closing Argument,” Erica emphasizes the importance of measuring a win in the context of your client’s needs, rather than just a simple verdict, to ensure that their goals are prioritized and centralized in your work.

Takeaways

• Don’t be afraid to fight. Take advantage of the gamesmanship of the courtroom to meet your client’s needs.
• Although much time has passed, a lot of prejudices still remain prevalent. It’s important to acknowledge this fact and to know that the right representation and legal approaches can help bring justice to fruition.
• Think about how to measure a ‘win.’ It’s not always straightforward, and sometimes has to do with what you overcome to get to a certain personal goal, rather than the end result alone.

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Christopher David Campione has always held a deep passion for helping others. His unmatched dedication to the pursuit of justice and aggressive defense of his clients sets him apart from his colleagues. Mr. Campione is an advocate of justice for all. His concentrated areas of focus include personal injury, business, and real estate law.

Listen as he shares his journey of becoming a trial lawyer and starting his own firm with just $4,000 in his pocket. He discusses the influence of his family connections to the law and his own reluctant path to becoming a trial lawyer. Christopher highlights the importance of treating clients well and building a reputation through word of mouth. For his “Closing Argument,” he addresses how consumers are fed up with some of the tactics of PI attorneys but touches on the much bigger picture that makes the work so important.

Takeaways

• Building a successful law firm requires treating clients well and building a reputation through word of mouth.
• Significant cases can have a lasting impact on both the client and the attorney, providing a sense of justice and making a difference in people's lives.
• The decision to settle or go to trial depends on the specific circumstances of each case, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
• There is so much more to what goes on in a Personal Injury trial than most people realize.

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