But my world was upended once again when the pandemic hit. This was the biggest challenge I faced as a trial lawyer. It made me re-examine my values, my calling and my entire mission as a plaintiffs’ attorney. Working from home was the easy part. I bought some office equipment and I was ready to go. Yes, I was still paying the rent for my empty office, but being a trial lawyer, I knew how to take financial loss gracefully. But when the courts closed, insurance companies suddenly had the upper hand. They knew we could not take them to the court, so my biggest hammer was gone. They bombarded us with paperwork, and all we could do was research the law and write back. The problem — they were being paid and we were not. Bills stacked up; credit cards maxed out. A year went by and the uncertainty was unbearable. One of the saddest days of my career was letting go of the invaluable staff member who worked with me the longest. The pressure to settle cases far below their value became overwhelming. My clients needed money too. Should we settle or keep fighting? While my mind struggled with finding the right answer, my heart came to the rescue. I knew how it felt to be vulnerable and I knew I was there to help my clients in whatever way I could. I started to do what my mother did, call creditors and ask for more time to pay. I managed to keep the office running until January 2022 when the courts reopened. And I was euphoric to once more present a case in front of my favorite people of all time, the jury. The wins followed, so did the complexity and value of the cases. Although the overwhelming majority of civil cases settle before trial, I tried over two dozen civil trials and arbitrations, and settled hundreds of cases. To the present day, this same “people first” attitude is what motivates Oregon Consumer Justice, where I currently work as Legal Director. OCJ’s unique mission is to advance a justice movement putting people at the center, taking on flawed systems, bad actors and economic policies favouring profits over people. The goal is to ensure a safer and stronger future where everyone has the freedom to thrive. I believe that my experiences contribute to OCJ’s mission to achieve equity and fairness for all Oregon consumers, particularly those who face the greatest barriers. On their own, any individual plaintiff or lawyer may feel limited in their power, but when the community organizes, powerful incentives for change occur. OCJ works to make this happen within the broad community of lawyers, law students, judges, advocates and legislators. This is why I am a lawyer. 1. Finding Your Stories: The power of trial, OTLA Trial Lawyer (Winter 2020), 18–20. 2. These cases are described in greater detail in the article mentioned above. “On their own, any individual plaintiff or lawyer may feel limited in their power, but when the community organizes, powerful incentives for change occur.… This is why I am a lawyer.” 13 Trial Lawyer | Fall 2024
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