We were lucky to catch up with Evan Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Evan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Trial is always a risk. Most cases settle because the risk of trial is so great. But you can’t, and shouldn’t, settle all cases. Some cases need to be tried. So sometimes you have to take the risk.
I recently took that risk, and lost. I completed a two-week trial against a large bar/restaurant whose employees attacked and injured my clients. I did the best I could. I spent lots of money and countless hours. But I still lost.
Losing is bitter, there’s no way around that. No one wants to lose, but sometimes you do. The best thing you can do is pick yourself up, learn what you can, and not give up.
Evan, 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?
I’m a solo plaintiff attorney who focuses on serious personal injury claims and significant property damage claims. I’ve had my own firm for almost 7 years. As a solo attorney, I’m fairly selective on what cases I will take. But when I take a case, I work closely with my clients. They never work with anyone else on their case, just me.
Plaintiff work is difficult, and the odds are always stacked against you. So you need to face each fight with determination, skill, and commitment.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Although I’m a plaintiff attorney, I was a defense attorney for the first few years of my practice. I worked for insurance companies in New Orleans defending Hurricane Katrina claims, and I worked for an international insurance company on the east coast defending personal injury claims. I worked closely with insurance companies and learned how they value and defend cases.
Later when I moved to California, I decided my open my own practice as a plaintiff attorney. Now my opponents are insurance companies and defense attorneys.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I first practiced law and was licensed in Louisiana. But because of my wife’ profession, I had to move to Connecticut. That meant I had to take and pass the Connecticut bar. I did that. Then I had to find another job and continue paying off my college and law school loans. I did that.
Then my wife’s profession took her to California. So I took and passed the California bar. Having paid off my student loans, I was then able to open my own plaintiff law firm.
Contact Info:
- Website: evanwalkerlaw.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evanwalkerlaw
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanwwalker/
- Twitter: @evanwwalker
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCotcFXHX1j2IyiDwil2hlSQ