Ambulance Chasers life in the collision lane Forum

[quidestveritas]

Not that I would want to be one but how does one go about becoming one? I see post all day on here about big law mid law and PI what about good old doc suers?

[overunderachiever]

I used to intern at a mid-sized med mal firm and the partners were family. They got the firm from their dad.

[bostonlawchick]

My guess is that many of the ones around here did something like

Local TTT/TTTT >> save a bunch of $$$ and/or take out a loan >> come up with a stupid commercial gimmick and a catchy jingle >> ??? >>> profit

Only profiting of course if they won some big money cases.

[holdencaulfield]

It's usually an area of law somebody goes into because nothing else is available. Personal Injury practices are usually much smaller and many are solo practices. Those at the very very top of the field make ungodly amounts of money. Those at the middle and bottom have to hustle and advertise for cases.

Getting into the field is the same as any other, just focus your networking and whatnot towards personal injury practices. The probably won't have formal clerkship programs but many will be open to hiring clerks. Be prepared for an hourly wage.

Also, as an associate, you will likely have a small salary with some type of bonus (hopefully) that is based off cases you settle and cases you bring in.

[r6_philly]

I have a good friend who is partner in a small firm that does PI/Tort. He makes large bank. However when I told him that I was going to law school he immediately suggested that I shouldn't because it is extremely hard to get to his level. I don't want to do PI but I admit to have a practice and be successful is pretty freaking awesome.

[overunderachiever]

^ Plus you don't really have to worry about billable hours

[johndoethethird]

Personal injury has historically been like "investment bankers of the legal field"--that is, potentially making lots of money very quickly, but unfortunately very unpredictably as well.

[joebloe]

I've been working the opposite side of personal injury/work comp for a couple years now. Seeing what happens to these poor folks in the end is what made me want to go into law.