Celebrating Justice

In this moving episode of "Celebrating Justice," trial lawyer James Vickaryous shares the deeply personal experiences and convictions that have shaped his decades-long journey in the legal profession.​ A first-generation lawyer with roots in a Navy family, Jim grew up with a strong ethic of service. That sense of purpose — instilled by his parents — became a guiding principle throughout...

Sharif's path to trial law was anything but conventional, but each step along the way — from valedictorian at Virginia Military Institute, to Army JAG officer defending elite soldiers, to prosecutor and finally personal injury lawyer now at Broughton Injury Law — deepened his calling to stand up for others. As an Army JAG officer, Sharif discovered the power of advocacy in defending clients o...

Chris Blackburn, a seasoned trial lawyer at Blackburn Romey in Fort Wayne, Indiana, shares his journey from finance and farming back to trial law, led by a simple question when working with clients: “Do they need help?”   That guiding mindset shaped a practice rooted in humility, teamwork, and purpose. Returning to the family firm meant reconnecting with childhood memories — riding along on home v...

In Episode 39 of "Celebrating Justice," trial lawyer Maggie Bopp of Rappaport, Glass, Levine, & Zullo LLP brings her fierce advocacy and heartfelt integrity to the spotlight. From her upbringing in a family rooted deeply in law enforcement and military service, to her decorated tenure in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Bopp shares an inspiring journey shaped by duty, g...

Patrick O’Hara’s path to personal injury law began with a love for advocacy, justice, and literature — from "To Kill a Mockingbird" to real courtroom trials. In Episode 38 of "Celebrating Justice," the founder of OHARA Law Firm reflects on how formative experiences — from clerking at the Lanier Law Firm to leading high-stakes mesothelioma trials —shaped a deep conviction: alway...

[Theme Music Plays] Gary L. Bailey Jr.: If you wanted to sue Santa Claus, tell me where the North Pole is at. They offered us $5,000 because they thought it was the dumbest case we could even bring. His own lawyer got up during "Closing Argument"s and said, well, know, some cops make mistakes and things get... I promise you it was one of my best closings ever. You should have saw it beca...

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Verónica Vázquez’s journey to becoming a trial lawyer began in a small Puerto Rican classroom, defending her cousin with nothing but instinct and a strong sense of justice. That same energy now fuels her work in one of the largest environmental litigations in U.S. history. A black belt in Taekwondo and a mother of two when she entered law school, Verónica’s early career was forged in adversity—stu...

In this heartfelt episode of "Celebrating Justice," Jon Groth, founder of Groth Law Firm , S.C. in Wisconsin, reflects on a career rooted in doing the right thing—even when no one else will. From his blue-collar upbringing to a short-lived dream of jazz saxophone stardom, Groth’s path to personal injury law was shaped by grit, gratitude, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. “H...

In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," Joe Fried of Fried Goldberg LLC brings decades of insight and unmatched dedication to transforming highway safety through truck wreck litigation. A former police officer and judge, Fried shares how his journey began with a desire to protect others — “I always had a heart for the underdog.” His life’s work has become a crusade against corporate fa...

Gigi Grasska didn’t set out to become a trial lawyer. A reserved presence growing up, she was the “quiet one,” expected by many — including her own mother — to choose a different path.​ But once a Pepperdine professor spotted her legal mind in an undergrad class, the game changed. Now practicing personal injury law in Los Angeles, Gigi has carved out a reputation for empathy, tenacity, and hands-o...

In this deeply personal and unflinchingly honest conversation, veteran trial lawyer Gary Gwilliam opens Season Two with a story unlike any other. Founding partner of Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer and the author of “Getting a Winning Verdict in My Personal Life: A Trial Lawyer Finds His Soul,” Gary reflects on a 60-year legal career marked by grit, grace, and a long walk toward healin...

In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," trial lawyer Adam Rossen details his transition from pre-med student to passionate criminal defense attorney .  Initially inspired by his love for arguing and watching "Law and Order," Adam pursued law to become a trial lawyer and started his career as a prosecutor. He appreciated the hands-on experience and quickly realized his desire...

In this compelling season finale of Celebrating Justice , we sit down with Mike Morse of the Mike Morse Law Firm , the largest personal injury firm in Michigan. Known for his groundbreaking Fireproof methodology, Mike shares his personal journey marked by resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to justice. Starting with his early inspirations and challenges, including his father's influ...

This episode of Celebrating Justice, we hear stories about the career journey of Adam Wolk, Chair of the Trial Team at Liakas Law , in New York City.  Adam’s career is as unconventional as it is inspiring — he grew up with dreams of storytelling, originally through film, and found himself navigating life’s many detours, from driving a cab in Montauk to working on fishing boats. After some difficul...

In this episode of Celebrating Justice , Derek Hays shares his compelling journey from a career in advertising and animation to a life devoted to personal injury law. Drawing on values from his upbringing in a preacher’s family, Derek reveals how empathy and sympathy became the cornerstone of his practice, enabling him to connect deeply with clients and juries alike. Derek recounts pivotal cases,...

In this episode of Celebrating Justice , Matt Nakajima of Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima shares how his mother’s dreams and struggles inspired him to become a voice for those in need. Her unfulfilled wish to practice law, after a severe car accident and subsequent hearing loss, drove Matt to pursue justice on behalf of others. But his own path was far from easy, including a fight that took him a...

In this episode of Celebrating Justice , Michael Cohan from Cohan Law Firm takes listeners through his remarkable journey from working at a high-profile firm on the 75th floor of the Empire State Building to launching his own personal injury practice in New York City. He discusses the challenges he faced when starting out, working from Starbucks with nothing more than a laptop and determination. M...

In this episode of Celebrating Justice , we dive into the career and advocacy of Texas-based trial lawyer Jason DeSouza. From his beginnings in Toronto, Canada to settling into San Antonio, Texas, Jason shares his journey from considering tax litigation to becoming a champion for personal injury clients in underserved communities. He recalls his transition to plaintiff work, driven by his passion...

In this episode of Celebrating Justice , Karen Munoz, partner at Dolan Law , shares her inspiring journey from being the first in her immigrant family to graduate college, to becoming a leader in the field of wrongful death and catastrophic injury law.  Karen discusses her passion for mental health advocacy, emphasizing the importance of wellness and mindfulness in the legal profession. Her work a...

In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," trial lawyer Kaitlin Nares shares her inspirational journey from a fourth-grader wanting to become Ruth Bader Ginsburg to becoming a successful civil rights and personal injury attorney at her own firm, the Nares Law Group .  Her childhood fascination with law translated into a passionate career in civil rights, ultimately leading her to work on...

In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," trial lawyer Gabriel Christian of the Law Offices of Gabriel J. Christian and Associates, LLC shares his unexpected journey to becoming a trial lawyer, underscored by a rich family history of military service and community involvement.  Gabriel's legal journey began with his education at the University of DC Business School, followed by ment...

In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," trial lawyer Craig Murphy of Murphy & Murphy Law Offices shares his inspiring journey to becoming a successful trial lawyer despite having no initial connections to the legal world.  He recounts how his determination and strong underdog mentality set him on a path to law. Initially practicing family law and then insurance defense (working as...

In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," trial attorney Aparna Pujar of Napoli Shkolnik shares her inspiring journey from studying law in India to becoming a trial lawyer in the United States.  Motivated by her love for performing and inspired by legal dramas and Bollywood films, Aparna had a dream of being a trial lawyer. Starting her career in commercial litigation and arbitration in...

In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," we hear the compelling story of trial lawyer Adam Shapiro, founder of Shapiro Law Firm. Starting in criminal defense but repelled by the immorality present in the field, Adam switched to insurance litigation. However, he eventually found his calling in fighting for the plaintiff’s side instead, making a “leap of faith” into personal injury law. L...