Trial Magazine
Question of the Month
How did you decide what kind of law to practice?
March 2020“I’ve always loved the stock market, and I worked at a Wall Street defense firm for several years. But when the stock market crashed in 2000, I switched sides to fight for investors cheated out of their retirement funds by bad stockbrokers. I am now a passionate investor advocate and handle securities arbitration claims.”
Scott Silver, Silver Law Group, Coral Springs, FL
“I wanted an interesting field that would keep me learning every day. My first job was at a niche medical negligence firm, and it was fast-paced, was full of great mentors, and involved handling fascinating cases on complex medical issues and technologies. Though I have changed firms, I have largely stayed in that practice area.”
Kristen Beightol, Edwards Kirby, Raleigh, NC
“After serving four years on active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard conducting search-and-rescue and law enforcement operations, maritime law seemed like the only reasonable choice.”
AJ Bilbrey Jr., Cooper & Bilbrey, Mount Pleasant, SC
“When I returned to my hometown in West Virginia 30 years ago, my law partner had filed several employment gender discrimination cases. She gave me those cases, and I found I loved advocating for employees—and am fortunate enough to still be doing it.”
Walt Auvil, The Employment Law Center, Parkersburg, WV
“I was a licensed practical nurse in nursing facilities for nearly 13 years and then spent three years as a stay-at-home dad while my wife completed her residency. I then went to law school intending to become a criminal defense attorney. But after two summers assisting with nursing home cases, I realized I could use the skills from my first career to assist clients. I’ve been fighting for nursing home residents and injured patients ever since.”
Brian M. Jasper, Thomas Law Offices, Louisville, KY
“I chose to handle nursing home abuse and neglect cases because when I was a volunteer at facilities, I was asked to leave for addressing issues with residents care.”
Victoria Schall, Locks Law Firm, Cherry Hill, NJ
“I gravitated to medical negligence because I was a paramedic for 25 years and enjoy staying involved with medicine.”
James H. Dawdy, Vrdolyak Law Group, Chicago, IL
