Celebrating Justice

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 much was truly at stake in every trial. One of his most unforgettable cases involved a senior officer with a federal conviction and serious PTSD — a case Sharif fought and won, earning his client an honorable discharge and medical retirement. “We created a chart — green, yellow, red — to show how his health and evaluations deteriorated together,” Sharif recalls. “That case stays with me.”

Transitioning from military to civilian life, Sharif clerked for federal judges, spent time at a major law firm, then returned to courtrooms as a Richmond prosecutor. But it was in personal injury law where he found his purpose: helping people during the worst moments of their lives and holding others accountable. He recalls a $1.5M trip-and-fall verdict in Virginia—a state known for harsh contributory negligence laws—as the moment he knew that thorough preparation and belief in his client could overcome the odds.

Sharif also speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, doubt, and the emotional highs and lows of trial work. His passion is sustained by relentless learning—from Trial Lawyers University, to an LL.M. in Trial Advocacy, to the life-changing experience of attending the Gerry Spence Method at Thunderhead Ranch. “The day you say you’re done learning or that you know the right answer — you need to hang it up.”

In his “Closing Argument,” Sharif challenges the idea that good lawyers don’t need to market. A pivotal conversation changed his perspective: “If you think you provide a good legal service and you’re not marketing — shame on you.” Now, he embraces tactful, meaningful outreach so that people who need help can actually find him.

Key Takeaways

• A non-linear path can still lead to purpose-driven work if you stay open to unexpected opportunities.
• Trial law is about more than compensation—it's about accountability, deterrence, and restoring dignity.
• Believing in your client and preparing thoroughly can overcome even the toughest legal obstacles.
• Continuing education is critical for growth and sustained success in trial practice.
• Marketing done ethically allows the right clients to find the right lawyer at the right time.

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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.

His experience as a semi-truck driver lends real-world perspective to trucking cases, while his courtroom approach keeps trials fast , focused, and jury-friendly (inspired by Joe Fried, "Celebrating Justice" Ep. 33). 

Drawing parallels between farming and trial work, he talks about investing in people, planting seeds, and trusting the process. In his “Closing Argument,” he reflects on a firm-wide culture shift driven by self-analysis, resulting in core values like integrity, collaboration, and adaptability. For him, real advocacy means knowing who you are — and being unafraid to go to trial.

Key Takeaways

• Purpose over profit: any case worth taking is one where someone needs help.
• Family roots and teamwork form the bedrock of a values-first legal culture.
• Real‑world experience — like trucking knowledge — can sharpen trial edge.
• Firm culture matters: humility, vulnerability, integrity, accountability, and innovation define true advocacy.

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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 helmet and taking on the unofficial role of “lawyer” among her four brothers. Her competitiveness, sharpened on the field and honed in courtrooms, became a hallmark of her legal style: “Try me,” she says, is her unspoken message when underestimated.

Bopp recounts harrowing cases from her time in the Vehicular Crime Bureau. One tragedy still haunts her: an Uber crash that killed four young passengers. The intoxicated driver who caused the accident died before he could be prosecuted, leaving victims’ families with unanswered questions and unfulfilled justice. But another case, involving the fiery deaths of a father and two children, led to a landmark conviction after months of tireless investigation — one that tested Bopp personally and professionally.

She credits her background in criminal prosecution for preparing her to build strong cases and connect with jurors. “People just want to be heard,” she says. Whether it’s a bartender or a trial attorney, that need for connection and empathy bridges all.

In her “Closing Argument,” Bopp reflects on a case that tested her instincts: a defendant who faked mental incapacity to delay proceedings in a DUI fatality trial. Her gut told her something was off — and it was right. Pole camera footage captured the defendant walking, talking, and lifting boxes just before donning a wheelchair and acting nonverbal in court. Her persistence exposed the deception, secured a conviction, and brought closure to a grieving widow and her four children.

Key Takeaways

• Growing up in a law enforcement family instilled a deep sense of justice and public service.
• Playing boys lacrosse and bartending taught valuable lessons in grit and human connection.
• Vehicular homicide cases require both emotional resilience and precise legal skill.
• Gut instincts can be critical in uncovering truth and securing justice.

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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 three bar exams and numerous jurisdictions. But what stands out most is Patrick’s steady moral compass. “The Golden Rule… is really one of the foundations of my beliefs,” he shares. That ethic extends far beyond the courtroom —like taking in four children after a colleague’s cancer diagnosis, or waiving fees when insurance falls short for an injured child.

Patrick also recounts powerful stories: a dying client who stood up to a judge to demand justice, and a custody case that required proving murder in a family courtroom. Through it all, his stance is clear — clients deserve the full truth and agency, even if it’s not best for the firm.

It’s that blend of intellect, integrity, and empathy that defines both his practice and this conversation.

Key Takeaways

• The Golden Rule guides every decision, including waiving fees when justice for children outweighs financial return.
• Early exposure to courtroom dynamics and advocacy can spark a lifelong commitment to justice.
• Seeking autonomy and work-life balance often leads professionals to forge their own path.
• Gaining exposure and experience can inform a deeper understanding of race, identity, and justice.
• Challenging flawed systems sometimes requires creative legal approaches and persistence across multiple venues.

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[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 CloudLex, the next-gen legal cloud platform built exclusively for personal injury law. Get inspired by the nation's top trial lawyers and share in the stories that shape our pursuit of justice. Follow the podcast and join our community at triallawyersjournal.com. Now here's your host, editor of TLJ and VP of marketing at CloudLex, Chad Sands.

Chad Sands: Welcome back friends to "Celebrating Justice". In this episode, we welcome Philadelphia Bay's trial lawyer, Gary Bailey. From a fourth grade reenactment of the Dred Scott case to fighting civil rights violations and tough personal injury cases, he's built his reputation on taking the hard cases others pass on and winning. To get to the stories, I asked him, why did you want to become a trial lawyer?

Gary L. Bailey Jr.: My story starts back when I was about 10 years old, fourth grade. I went to a Catholic school here in Philadelphia and my teacher, Ms. Kayette, I'll never forget her at the time, she had us do a demonstration of a famous Supreme Court case. And I was excited to know as a kid, but I found out once we came in law, it is considered the worst opinion in Supreme Court history. It was, I believe, 1862, 63, something like that. Why is that important? was a couple years before slavery ended. It's called the Dred Scott case. Here it was in a nutshell. It was a case to where a former slave bought his freedom with money from the owner and then on top of that moved to the North, which as most people know, slavery was outlawed. Some plantation owner went up to the North, brought him back, jailed him, basically brought him back. And the court basically said that the law was not made for former slaves, free slaves, Africans, et cetera, et cetera, and basically put this man back in bondage. As fate would have it, Lincoln took office right after a couple of years later, Civil War, slavery was outlawed. Again, think about a 10 year old going through this example, myself, one other friend of mine, and then two other people on the side and we're doing this demonstration without any knowledge, only for the teacher to say, Mr. Bailey, you're part of the YouTube Lose. I'm like, what? Hold on. This is what's going on or what's happening? Oh, I want to be a lawyer. It just stuck with me. So as I got older, I understood more and more about the profession and what it meant in terms of the amount of influence and responsibility and power in a way you could change people's lives. And then it just so happened that my personality fits the profession and family members and friends for the past 40 some odd years are saying, you like to argue, you should be a lawyer. So it was just at that point, just confirmation bias and me sticking with it more and more. And then finally decided, all right, it's time to go to law school. Best decision never made, never looked back.

Chad Sands: You went to temple. Yes. so tell me about your first kind of years as an attorney after graduation and what that was like.

Gary L. Bailey Jr.: After graduation, I worked for two different firms, both doing personal injury. And it's funny because even though I knew I wanted to do it, I wasn't as sure. And even more importantly, here in Pennsylvania, and in particular Philadelphia, 99 % of the personal injury firms do not hire young lawyers, which means I had no shot of getting a job, especially with a plaintiff's firm. And a good friend of mi

The Trial Lawyer's Journal is Presented by CloudLex and Lexvia.ai.

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The Trial Lawyer's Journal is Presented by CloudLex and Lexvia.ai.

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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, she serves at Napoli Shkolnik, where she leads PFAS litigation across the country, representing public water systems impacted by toxic chemical contamination. 

Her human-first approach sets her apart. “Everything is work and guided by humans,” she says, emphasizing the empathy and discipline behind her advocacy. She’s not only been a voice in the courtroom but also a tireless researcher—often studying environmental law and science after hours. Her work on the PFAS MDL led to historic settlements with 3M and DuPont, and she continues to pursue justice against smaller manufacturers still polluting U.S. water supplies. For Verónica, being a trial lawyer isn’t just a job—it’s about rebuilding trust, especially in communities that have long been overlooked.

Key Takeaways

• Overcoming both personal and environmental challenges, this trial advocate began a legal career grounded in resilience.
• Leading PFAS litigation has resulted in major victories for public water systems and environmental justice.
• A deeply human-centered approach fosters trust and connection with clients across diverse communities.
• Discipline and mental toughness from martial arts training directly inform preparation and courtroom performance.

The Trial Lawyer's Journal is Presented by CloudLex and Lexvia.ai.

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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 behind a half-million-dollar verdict for a client injured while visiting Wisconsin — a case built not just on skill, but on connection, perseverance, and empathy. He also recounts a recent $6 million dog mauling verdict in a case with no clear recovery path. “Other attorneys would not look at this case,” Groth says. But he did, because, as he reminds us, “It really comes down to four words: do the right thing.”

Whether he’s driving seven hours round trip for a deposition or opening a coffee shop door for a struggling mom, Groth’s message is clear: small actions, big impacts. This episode is a powerful tribute to standing tall for justice — even when the odds say walk away.

The Trial Lawyer's Journal is Presented by CloudLex and Lexvia.ai.

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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 nationally recognized leader in truck wreck cases, Fried reflects on his commitment to understanding “the human animal” and the decision-making forces that shape both people and corporations. “I’m in awe of the human being,” he says, underscoring his belief that authenticity and empathy drive the most impactful advocacy.

The episode explores Fried’s influence in pioneering truck litigation, his push for industry-wide accountability, and his personal investment in becoming a “student of everything”— from truck driver training to logistics systems. His ongoing efforts to expose Amazon’s hidden control behind so-called independent delivery drivers exemplify his mission: ensuring safety becomes a business imperative, not a casualty of profit.

Key Takeaways

• A background in public service can deeply inform a human-centered trial strategy.
• Truck wreck litigation reveals how corporations obscure responsibility behind complex systems.
• Empathy, curiosity, and deep study elevate advocacy beyond legal tactics.
• Industry change begins when safety is valued over profit margins.
• The courtroom becomes most powerful when it's used to pursue truth, not just victory.

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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 fuel. “Even my own mom didn’t want me to go to law school,” she admits. But she kept showing up, proving naysayers wrong one case at a time. Whether it’s advocating for overlooked clients or securing policy limit settlements, she thrives on the same adrenaline rush that once drove her to swim with sharks and fight wildfires—literally.

For her "Closing Argument," her story about protecting her family home during the 2025 Palisades fire offers a raw, powerful look at how personal battles shape professional resolve. The aftermath — facing hostile insurance adjusters — deepened her empathy for clients navigating trauma.

For Gigi, it’s simple: “Persistence and trust are everything.” And that belief is stitched into every case she takes on.

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