We're Not Here to Get Along: Resist the Pressure to be "Reasonable" | Samantha Cohn (Personal Injury Lawyer)

When is being "reasonable," patient and compromising in fact just a strategy of the other side to delay, frustrate and ultimately to avoid trial?

We should be respectful. We should be professional. But at no point should we ever compromise the duty to our client for the sake of getting along.

Samantha Cohn talks about the moral and ethical motivations behind her career shift to becoming a personal injury lawyer, her techniques for being assertive in the court room, and not rolling over to somebody else's demands and expectations. 

Of recognizing when 'Be reasonable' is more like, 'Roll over and come to my side and agree with me, so I don't have to work too hard.' 

"I want the defense to see that freight train coming at them, to know that we're serious, and that they're not going to be able to drag their feet in trying to get this resolved."

In this episode, we discuss:

◼️ If you're going to be a trial lawyer, you have to accept that it's going to be lonely sometimes.
◼️ What to do when insurance companies prioritize profit over people.
◼️ How getting trial experience is absolutely crucial for personal injury lawyers.
◼️ Why mentorship and surrounding oneself with experienced lawyers is vital to improving.
◼️ What is insurance subrogation, and why it is a good foray into personal injury law.
◼️ Why the legal profession demands integrity and moral courage.

Chapters

00:00 "That Doesn't Comport With my Moral Compass"
02:58 Samantha's Journey to Becoming a Lawyer
05:30 How Subrogation Can Lead to Personal Injury Law
11:16 How Insurance Companies Treat People
16:45 The Emotional Toll on Lawyers of Personal Injury Cases
21:31 Fighting for Clients in Court
25:52 Accountability and Taking Responsibility to Avoid Litigation
30:49 It's Not About the Money
36:09 There is No Such Thing as a Loss
49:43 "I Still Have Nerves Before Going to Court"
54:45 Seek Mentors and People You Admire

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
Available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and at RVATrialLawyers.com

Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. Through our podcast, we hope to learn from them, support them, connect them, inspire them, and preserve their work for future trial lawyers.

If you are willing, we would greatly appreciate it if you left us a 5-Star Google Review by clicking here. Your review will help people find us.

Also, if you would like to subscribe to the RVA Trial Lawyers Newsletter, you can do so here.

Thank you!

Sharif Gray and Nael Abouzaki