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Trial Attorney

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Explore Being a Trial Attorney with Ted DiSalvo of Kogan & DiSalvo, P.A.

law-gavelcz: Briefly describe your job.

I am a personal injury trial attorney. I represent people who are hurt due to the negligence of another. I handle the cases from inception, to trial.

cz: How long have you been working in this field?

I have been a litigation attorney since 1988.

cz: When and how did you decide to choose this career?

I decided to become a lawyer in my mid 20’s. I was working in another field and decided that I wanted to change.

I had previously been involved in the hotel and restaurant industry in various management capacities.

During Law school, I took some trial practice classes, and decided that I wanted to be a litigator and try cases in the courtroom.

cz: What education and training did you receive before entering your field?

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. (Cum laude).

During law school I clerked at a small firm and also worked as an insurance adjuster.

Also during law school I was a court appointed public defender, which allowed me to get my feet wet in the courtroom.

cz: How did you begin OR What was your first job in the field?

I was an Associate Attorney at a small civil litigation and bankruptcy firm. I started that job after graduation from law school. I then changed firms and began practicing in the area known as insurance defense. This is the opposite side of plaintiff’s personal injury work. After doing insurance defense and general civil litigation for about six years, I started a firm which specializes in plaintiff personal injury representation and litigation.

cz: Describe a typical day on the job?

My job varies day to day. Some days I am in the office meeting new clients, working on existing cases and negotiating settlements with insurance companies. Other days, I might be in court for a hearing on a motion on a case in litigation, or I could be conducting depositions. Of course, when I am in trial, I am totally immersed in that case and a typical trial will last 4-5 days.

cz: What do you like most about what you do?

Litigating (trial) of cases. The varied tasks that I perform on a day-to-day basis. Meeting a lot of different people and helping them through a tough period in their lives.

cz: What has been the most rewarding experience so far in your career?

When I am able to reach a successful settlement or obtain a favorable jury award for my client.

One of my most memorable experiences was when a judge awarded my client an additional one hundred thousand dollars over what the jury awarded. The judge’s ruling was vindication for me that I had done a superb job representing my client at trial.

cz: What do you like least about your job?

People (clients) who are less than honest with me.

cz: What is the biggest challenge for you in this job?

Juggling so many different aspects of so many different cases at the same time.

cz: What would you like to say to someone considering this career?

It is important to get proper training to litigate cases effectively. Your first job or two may not be exactly what you want to do, but get the courtroom experience and show whoever you are working for that you are diligent, thorough, and not afraid of a challenge.

Your first years will be full of stress and long hours. Be dedicated, don’t complain and take that extra step to properly represent your clients. Do not take unethical shortcuts. Your name and reputation will be around for much longer than the client who wants you to risk your license.

Become involved with the Bar Associations. Attend meetings and network. Let people know who you are.

cz: What are the most important personal and professional skills necessary to succeed in your field?

Good interpersonal and writing skills. Math is also very important, as you need to be able to quickly and accurately evaluate cases.

The confidence to speak in public is a trait that you must have to succeed in the courtroom. Being able to project your voice so that you can be heard without a microphone is helpful.

cz: What would a person interested in entering this field have to do to get a good job in it?

As in any profession, you have to pay your dues. If you want to be a litigator (trial attorney) then the first few positions should be ones that will get you into the courtroom. There is no substitution for being in the courtroom, arguing motions and trying cases.

cz: What could someone who is interested in this field do to learn more about it right now?

Go to the courthouse and watch some trials. See if you have what it takes to get up in front of a group of strangers, with another attorney who will do everything they can to beat you, and be restricted in what you can do by the rules of procedure, ethics and professionalism and convince those strangers (the jury) that your client deserves to win.

cz: Is there any general advice you would like to offer on making a career choice or on work life itself?

Your “work” life is the longest and most consuming part of your adult life. You need to enjoy what you are going to do as a career as you may be in that field for 30, 40 or even 50 years.

Decide on your priorities in life - Family, fame, fortune, professional recognition, judgeship. Probably the hardest thing to do as a lawyer is the juggling of your personal and professional life.

Be sure that the person, who you enter into a long term relationship with, shares your values and goals and is aware of the hardship they will have to endure if you are going to be able to achieve the goals that you want.

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