Trial lawyer Tom Scolaro of Scolaro Law P.C. shares why the motto “Hustle & Heart, Set Us Apart” isn’t marketing fluff for his firm, it’s operating instructions. Scolaro grew up in a blue-collar upstate New York town, the son of an immigrant truck driver who admired lawyers and pushed his kids to aim higher. Law school originally meant a prosecutor’s path (think Jack McCoy on “Law & Order”), until life swerved: his older brother was catastrophically injured by a drunk driver while Tom...

In this episode of “Celebrating Justice,” trial lawyer Daniel Schneiderman traces that arc from early Toastmasters triumphs and DA’s training to a deliberately client-first personal injury practice. Daniel’s candid about what actually fuels his fire: living the case alongside clients, from hospital to courthouse steps, and doing high-quality work at a deliberately capped caseload so he can be present at every turn. “Small, hungry, and we know what we’re doing,” he says — not as a slogan, but ...

In this episode of “Celebrating Justice,” trial lawyer Jeremy Citron, founder and partner at The Hurt Boss, traces an unconventional path to the courtroom — from dreaming of becoming a Major League Baseball umpire to finding his calling in personal injury law. The journey starts with a nudge from his father to take the LSAT “as a fallback,” turns into early academic momentum in law school, and then shifts through big-law training at Holland & Knight. A pivotal fellowship at Atlanta Legal ...

From fraternity consultant to defense associate to plaintiff’s trial lawyer and now a solo personal injury attorney at Hudson Injury Law in New Mexico — Damon Hudson has taken the "scenic route" to meaningful advocacy. In this episode of "Celebrating Justice", he shares how a winding early career (including a brief stop in tax law) ultimately clarified what he wanted from the law: real human connection, real outcomes. Damon frames litigation like offense on a football field, pushing tem...

Charleston trial lawyer Roy T. Willey IV traces a path from a skinny, freckled kid who hated seeing people pushed around to a courtroom advocate who measures success by the lives he can improve — not by the percentage of policy limits recovered. Raised largely by a single mom, Roy carried a simple vow into adulthood: don’t let people be taken advantage of. Roy describes his “trial ready process” — building every file like it will be tried, even though, as he notes, most will settle. It forces...

Yale Spector, founder of Spector Law Group, was raised in a family of attorneys — his grandfather serving as a Hague-appointed legal officer after WWII, his parents both practicing in Baltimore, and his brother pursuing the same calling — Spector grew up at a dinner table where debate was constant and justice was considered a family responsibility. In this episode of "Celebrating Justice", he traces that path from early years at big plaintiff firms, where he handled complex medical malpractic...

From billion-dollar deals in Dubai to billion-dollar settlements in Texas, Murtaza Sutarwalla’s legal journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode of Celebrating Justice, Murtaza traces his path from elite corporate law to the frontlines of human trafficking litigation. Early in his career, he represented governments and major corporations, drafting M&A contracts and shaping foreign law — but he ultimately traded prestige for purpose. Now a founding partner at ESS Law Partners in Hou...

In Episode 44 of "Celebrating Justice", Alan Ripka — a seasoned New York trial lawyer whose career was shaped by personal tragedy — shares his remarkable journey. Growing up in Queens, Ripka was on track to become a doctor until his brother Robbie was killed in a ski accident just before graduating high school. The loss ignited a passion to advocate for others who couldn’t speak for themselves, leading him to law school and eventually the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, where he honed hi...

Justin Blitz never planned to be a trial lawyer. In fact, he swore he wouldn’t follow in his father’s footsteps. He spent his early career immersed in New York’s music scene — booking bands, promoting shows, and working for music legend Chris Blackwell. But after law school and a brief stint in entertainment law, he found the work uninspiring. As his mother had always told him, his greatest gift was using his voice to persuade. That gift would soon be tested. When Justin joined his father’s f...

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 his career. His mother encouraged him to become a lawyer, not out of ambition, but because he was terrified...

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 others had already written off. Representing soldiers accused of serious misconduct, he learned how muc...

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 visits with his dad, working with his siblings, and serving clients from all walks of life. Hi...

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, grit, and compassion. Early on, Bopp stood out — playing boys lacrosse with her braid hidden beneath a helme...

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: always put the client first. Mark Lanier hired Patrick straight out of Pepperdine, launching a career that would span thre...

[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 because I was outraged. Narrator: Welcome to "Celebrating Justice" presented by the Trial Lawyers Journal at Cl...

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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—studying by candlelight after Hurricane Maria and launching her solo practice from scratch. Today, s...

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. “Helping others with strategy,” as he puts it, is where he thrives. Groth shares the emotional story be...

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 facades that obscure responsibility, especially in cases involving Amazon’s sprawling delivery network. A nat...

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-on client care. In this episode of "Celebrating Justice," Gigi opens up about turning doubt into f...