Derek Hays

11/07/24 • 21 min

In this episode of Celebrating Justice, Derek Hays shares his compelling journey from a career in advertising and animation to a life devoted to personal injury law. Drawing on values from his upbringing in a preacher’s family, Derek reveals how empathy and sympathy became the cornerstone of his practice, enabling him to connect deeply with clients and juries alike. Derek recounts pivotal cases, from representing a single mother managing disability care while injured, to standing by a family devastated by a trailer fire that took the life of a young child. His narrative showcases his commitment to unearthing every detail to advocate fully for his clients’ lives and stories.

In his “Closing Argument,” Derek stresses the importance of truly knowing clients, beyond the facts of their injuries. He emphasizes the necessity of storytelling to convey the full impact of clients' experiences, particularly against efforts by insurance companies to depersonalize victims. Through meticulous case preparation, Derek explains how he brings clients' humanity into the courtroom, allowing juries to truly connect and understand the depth of loss or injury faced.
Key Takeaways

Client Connection is Crucial: Derek emphasizes that getting to know clients personally — understanding their family, background, and community roles — strengthens the case by making it real for the jury.
Empathy and Sympathy in Advocacy: He believes a true advocate must empathize with clients’ situations while also feeling genuine sympathy for their struggles to present their stories effectively.
Uncovering Every Detail: Derek discusses how a diligent approach to evidence and company culture led to revealing substance abuse issues within a trucking company, deepening the case’s impact.
Human Stories Over Legal Facts: Facts alone don’t suffice; Derek finds that clients' stories must be told authentically so that juries feel the emotional weight of their experiences.
Countering Insurance Company Tactics: By personalizing clients’ narratives, Derek helps juries see past the insurance companies’ attempts to minimize clients' trauma.

Visit Website
Instagram
YouTube
Presented by CloudLex and Lexvia.

Client Connection is Crucial: Derek emphasizes that getting to know clients personally — understanding their family, background, and community roles — strengthens the case by making it real for the jury.
Empathy and Sympathy in Advocacy: He believes a true advocate must empathize with clients’ situations while also feeling genuine sympathy for their struggles to present their stories effectively.
Uncovering Every Detail: Derek discusses how a diligent approach to evidence and company culture led to revealing substance abuse issues within a trucking company, deepening the case’s impact.
Human Stories Over Legal Facts: Facts alone don’t suffice; Derek finds that clients' stories must be told authentically so that juries feel the emotional weight of their experiences.
Countering Insurance Company Tactics: By personalizing clients’ narratives, Derek helps juries see past the insurance companies’ attempts to minimize clients' trauma.

Visit Website
Instagram
YouTube
Presented by CloudLex and Lexvia.

Previous Episode

Matt Nakajima

In this episode of Celebrating Justice , Matt Nakajima of Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima shares how his mother’s dreams and struggles inspired him to become a voice for those in need. Her unfulfilled wish to practice law, after a severe car accident and subsequent hearing loss, drove Matt to pursue justice on behalf of others. But his own path was far from easy, including a fight that took him all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court. Supported by two pro bono lawyers, Matt learned the importance of perseverance, later choosing to help everyday people rather than large corporations.

In his "Closing Argument," Matt reflects on why advocacy matters: “As trial lawyers, we are the last line of defense against corporate greed and injustice.” He encourages fellow lawyers to take on challenging cases, emphasizing the collective power in fighting for justice.

Key Takeaways:

Inspired by His Mother's Strength: Matt’s career is rooted in his mother’s desire to advocate for others after her own struggles.
Perseverance Defined His Path: He overcame a difficult battle for his law license with the support of mentors, shaping his commitment to clients.
Authenticity in Practice: Matt prioritizes genuine connections with clients over marketing, building a reputation through word-of-mouth.
Call to Action: Matt urges fellow attorneys to remember their purpose, encouraging them to fight for clients even in tough cases.

Visit Website
Instagram
YouTube
Presented by CloudLex and Lexvia.

Next Episode

Adam Wolk

This episode of Celebrating Justice, we hear stories about the career journey of Adam Wolk, Chair of the Trial Team at Liakas Law, in New York City.
Adam’s career is as unconventional as it is inspiring — he grew up with dreams of storytelling, originally through film, and found himself navigating life’s many detours, from driving a cab in Montauk to working on fishing boats. After some difficult crossroads and significant personal reflection, he eventually followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps and turned to a life law. But, for Adam, the courtroom has become a new kind of theater — a place where he can present powerful narratives on behalf of those who need their stories heard most.

Adam’s rich life experiences shape his deeply empathetic and determined approach to trial work. He’s a natural storyteller, but his approach is grounded in more than just charisma; he gets to know his clients intimately, meeting them where they are in their pain and vulnerability. Adam believes that the role of a trial attorney is more than seeking compensation — it’s about bringing justice to real people. Adam’s belief in what the American justice system can accomplish is clear: it’s not perfect, but it’s built to protect and support those who need it most.

Key Takeaways:

Unconventional Paths Lead to Purpose: Adam’s varied life journey taught him how to relate to people from all walks of life, which is invaluable in his work with juries.
The Power of Storytelling in Law: Adam’s approach to trial law centers on storytelling, giving voice to those who have been hurt and emphasizing their humanity.
Justice as a Communal Responsibility: Adam emphasizes that personal injury law keeps communities safer by holding wrongdoers accountable and incentivizing care and responsibility.
Balance and Resilience in Practice: Adam’s career reflects the importance of perseverance, but also the need to take on challenges that align with personal values and family commitments.

Contact him at:
AdamMaxWolk @ gmail.com
Awolk @ liakaslaw.com
Or follow him on Instagram @trialattorneywolk

Visit Website
Instagram
YouTube
Presented by CloudLex and Lexvia.

Celebrating Justice - Derek Hays

Transcript

Derek Hays: So for me, going to law school was a second career. The driver of the commercial truck at seven o'clock in the morning was high on crystal meth. And then we found out that there was a culture of meth in that facility. Got to learn everything there is to empathize and sympathize with your client so that a jury can do the same thing.

Narrator: Welcome to Celebrating Justice, presented by the Trial Lawyers Journal and CloudLex, the next-gen