My experience as a pharmacist and in medicine generally has served me so well all these years. I always loved to research the path of simple molecules to complex molecular structures - in a way, it's not all that different from the cases we research and prepare in the law. Leaving pure science was a very difficult decision for me - but ultimately it was the best decision I ever made. I loved being in organic chemistry, but, working for the government, you didn't have as much of a chance to directly help people.

I certainly have been able to use what I learned from pharmacy and medicine as a trial lawyer. For one thing, I read medical records effectively and thoroughly. I can see from those kinds of details if the client has a strong case. Physical findings in medical reports are central to many, many cases.

Clients and prospective clients always ask what kind of compensation they might expect, what their case may be "worth." And from my first meeting with a client, I have always given the same answer: It would be irresponsible to put a value on it. That's the honest answer, and the only answer. A lot of people nowadays shop for a lawyer based on what they say a case may be worth. But we have to be honest - we cannot know what their case is worth until we research and analyze for a very long period of time.

There's no question that knowledge is power in the courtroom. And knowledge is all preparation. As their lawyer, I must know the clients' treatment better than the clients themselves. I know the date of every MRI test. Knowing those details gives you power in the courtroom. And that empowers your client.

Ultimately it's all about believing in the client - and their case. You have to feel the clients' experience, feel what they have gone through - and share that with the jury. When I get up there I am expressing and communicating all of that.

My practice started with a single client. Then people I represented referred their friends, and we grew from there. It has always come down to this: If I did a good job for someone and I believed in them, then they would always believe in me. It's that simple.