We were lucky to catch up with Caroline McGroder recently and have shared our conversation below.
Caroline, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Growing up, I was blessed with the most wonderful parents and family. My Grandfather was a first-generation Irish Immigrant. Growing up in Buffalo, New York he lived above a grocery store with eight siblings. He was an incredibly hard worker with a passion for football. Through his humble beginnings, he became one of the founders and General Manager of the Buffalo Bills football team. Throughout his life, he created a legacy passed on to my father, and ultimately myself and siblings. He, and my parents, instilled core values such as service to the community, integrity, passion, dedication to family, contribution, and kindness. After moving to Arizona in the 1970s, my dad built an incredible career and reputation as a Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury attorney. As a little girl, he always included me in his work and passion for the law. He would take me to Court, I was a regular around the office and connected to his clients who were suffering unimaginable tragedy. Holidays were filled with incredible guests who suffered immense trauma, crashes, death of a loved one, and burn survivors. Through leading by example, he gave me the priceless gift of perspective, gratitude, and service through your career.
Growing up I attended St. Thomas Elementary and Xavier College Preparatory. After high school, I attended Creighton University, a Jesuit college, where our motto was “Men and Women for Others.” The education and focus on faith throughout those formative years further engrained the importance of service to community.
After graduating college, I was unclear on a long-term career path, but I knew I wanted to contribute to the world in a meaningful and genuine way. So, I accepted a position with the late Senator John McCain as a Senatorial Staff Member in Washington, DC. This experience was both life-affirming and extraordinary. After several years working on Capitol Hill, I decided to go to law school. After my second year, I began working as a law clerk with Gallagher and Kennedy. Working with survivors of sexual assault, catastrophic injuries, and those that had lost loved ones at the hands of negligence and tragedy became more than a profession, it is a calling.
After six years working as an attorney with Gallagher and Kennedy I decided to transition into a different sphere of the law. One day, I was at the DryBar, minding my own business, when I happen to pick up a magazine and stumble upon an article about an ISIS enslavement survivor. My world stood still. I was shocked. Here I am sitting at the DryBar and this survivor had been though unimaginable torture, assault, and trauma. She had witnessed her entire family murdered and was taken as a slave for years. I could not believe it was 2015 and this was reality.
Within a month of reading the article and researching crimes committed by religious extremists groups, I was on a plane to Washington, DC to work on international mass atrocity crimes. In order to serve these survivors, I completed a Master of Laws in International Human Rights, trained to prosecute these cases at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands, and was well versed on the intricacies of cross-cultural and gender-based war crimes. For the next several years I served survivors across the world from Iraq to Nigeria. My focus was on the client-centric human rights lawyers approach to we were able to focus on the needs of each individual survivor. My life was forever changed and I treasure the bonds formed with survivors. I continue to advocate for them today.
In 2019, after deciding to move back to Arizona I accepted a position as an Assistant Attorney General working on child abuse and neglect cases. This was another opportunity to serve in a meaningful way, however, these cases stay with you forever. I witnessed strength and resiliency of children suffering abuse, speaking in court, aging out of the foster care system, and finding their voice. This work also built a sensitivity and compassion within me that I treasure.
Most recently my work has come full circle. I am currently working at the law firm of Beus Gilbert McGroder on Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury cases. It is an absolute honor to represent our clients and work with my mentor, hero, and Father, Patrick McGroder III, and my brilliant, compassionate brother, Patrick McGroder IV. Or, as they are known around the office, P3 and P4. I am extremely grateful and blessed to continue serving clients.
Caroline, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
For more than a decade, I have fought to secure the rights of victims and their families in a number of high-profile, complex catastrophic litigation and wrongful death cases. Previous clients include family members of the Yarnell Granite Mountain Hotshots, sexual assault and abuse survivors, a US Navy Seal who testified in the widely publicized Bowe Bergdahl desertion hearing, the wrongful hazing death of a college fraternity member, disaster victims, as well as countless catastrophic motor vehicle and medical malpractice cases.
An advocate for social justice and victims’ rights, I am both humbled and honored to represent those who have suffered unimaginable tragedy and loss as a result of negligence. As a plaintiff’s attorney, I bring my endless passion and unwavering persuasion to every case and is steadfast in my commitment to social advocacy through the civil justice system.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients comes from former clients. The quality of our work, dedication to our clients and our values speaks for itself. We are dedicated to quality, not quantity and hold our standards and reputation as paramount. Therefore, we have never advertised. We put our clients and their needs first, always. We are focused on utilizing the law as creating social architecture to create justice for our clients and ensure a safer community. In return we are able to support and honor our clients through a challenging time in their lives, and provide each of our clients the utmost attention. In return, they walk away feeling supported, honored and healed. When tragedy strikes for a former clients friend, relative or acquaintance we are the first on their list. It is an incredible honor.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
As my Father, and mentor, always says, “you cannot be a great attorney without first being a great human being.” This has always rung true for me. Dedicating our lives to service of others through the law truly does begin with being good person. The values instilled since of young age of service, faith, dedication to your community, integrity and character are forefront on my mind everyday as I practice law. There are a number of resources that have supported these values. Personally, the first and foremost is prayer and scripture. Beginning my day with devotionals sets the tone for service. I love the writings of Lysa TerKeurst and Joel Osteen. Every night before bed I can be found reading a book on growth, or healing. One of my favorites is the “Book of Joy” by Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama. There are a variety of podcasts I am currently feeling so excited to dive into, including “Insights at the Edge” hosted by Tami Simon. I leave with such a sense of inner inquiry and excitement to serve!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beusgilbert.com/team/caroline-e-mcgroder/
- Instagram: cares27
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-mcgroder-b0965174