Law Clerk

Law Clerk

by | Nov 5, 2021 | Careers

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Law Clerk – Assist the attorney in litigation cases involving personal injuries, especially car accidents and medical malpractice. Conduct extensive legal research and analysis. Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for specific cases. Prepare trial briefs, memos, petitions, motions, opposition to motions, and provide assistance in preparation for trial by analyzing and examining related legal documents. Communicate with clients, lawyers, and experts. Must have a Master of Law and two years of experience in the legal field as Legal Assistant, Paralegal, Law Clerk, or Attorney. Mail resume to: Trial Lawyers for Justice, 421 West Water Street, 3rd Floor, Decorah, IA 52101. Attn. Sally Schwartzhoff, Office Manager[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”11px”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Brian Ward

Brian Ward

by | Nov 4, 2021 | Attorneys

Brian Ward

Brian Ward | 0424
BAR ADMISSIONS

California

 

PREVIOUSLY ADMITTED PRO-HAC VICE

Ohio
Oregon
Indiana
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Texas

EDUCATION

Loyola School of Law
– J.D. Juris Doctor

 

Bio

Brian Ward

Brian Ward is a trial lawyer specializing in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and toxic exposure cases.  Born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, he left the Midwest to attend film school at the University of Southern California.  It was during this time that he developed and fostered a passion for storytelling.

In his first year at Loyola Law School, Brian discovered trial advocacy and decided to audition for the nationally recognized Byrne Trial Team.  Brian competed on the team for two years and won a National Championship at the National Trial Competition.  On the team, he met and became friends with Courtney Rowley and Erin Powers.

Thirteen years ago, Brian became a victim of negligence that left him permanently injured and disabled. Because Brian spent his childhood as a gymnast and then a pole-vaulter, this injury was truly devastating.  After struggling through constant pain and trying to navigate these new challenges, Brian decided to take a break from law. He sold his home and purchased an Airstream trailer.  Together with his wife and dog, they spent the next eighteen months traveling the nation, taking in the natural beauty and wonder while recalibrating what mattered most to them.

Out on the road, he received a call from Nick Rowley with a life-changing offer to join the firm that he couldn’t refuse.  Brian is a primary instructor at Trial by Human and he tries cases nationwide.  He has discovered his experience and disability is not a limitation but a superpower in assisting and representing permanently injured and disabled clients.  The lessons he gained through his experience stay with him always.

These lessons and experiences have recently led to results like:

  • $63 million verdict against Chevron Corporation for leaving poison in the ground and causing his client to develop multiple myeloma in California.
  • $26 million settlement on behalf of a toddler who sustained permanent scarring due to illegally high chlorine levels at a Myrtle Beach resort.
  • $18.5 million confidential medical malpractice settlement in Oregon.
  • $15 million dram-shop wrongful death settlement in Indiana.
  • $110.8 million verdict for wrongful death road rage incident in San Bernardino, CA.
  • $25 million post-verdict confidential settlement.

“Nothing feels better than obtaining justice for these kinds of clients when they are facing off against the most powerful corporations in the world.  In the courtroom, we are still all equal,”  Ward says.

As a former USC yell leader, Brian remains a dedicated Trojan and football fan.  In the fall, you can find him parked, every Saturday, in front of the TV, catching all the games.  Fight On!

Listen to podcasts featuring Brian below:

Structure, Speed, and Story in Rebuttal | Best Practices with Kenny Berger

Trying the Lie with Trial Lawyers for Justice

David v. Goliath – A $63 Million Verdict

The Crazy Goat

Recent Articles:

Daily Journal

Brian Ward secures $110M verdict in fatal crash case covered by IE Law

Joseph Wilson

Joseph Wilson

by | Nov 4, 2021 | Wilson

Joseph Wilson

Joseph Wilson
BAR ADMISSIONS

Georgia

 

EDUCATION

Washington University
– J.D. Juris Doctor

 

Bio

Joseph Wilson

Joseph Wilson is considered by many to be one of the elite trial lawyers in the Southeast, if not the nation. To wit, there are few lawyers of his age that have accomplished what he has in such a short span. In an era where very few injury lawyers take cases to a jury trial when insurance carriers act in an unreasonable manner; Joseph has established a reputation based on the significant verdicts he has obtained on behalf of clients.

Results Matter

Joseph garnered attention from his colleagues and Georgia insurance defense lawyers following two significant verdicts. In 2018, a Fulton County jury awarded our client $500,000.00 for injuries she sustained when a deck collapsed as a result of negligence. In 2019, following a highly contested trial involving elite defense counsel; Joseph secured a $584,000.00 jury verdict on behalf of a client injured as a result of a negligent driver of an armored truck. Additionally, he has served as lead counsel in over 25 jury trials which is rare for a lawyer of his age. Many injury lawyers have never tried a case and a vast majority have tried less than 5 jury trials in their career.

Accolades & Awards

Mr. Wilson attended law school at Washington University; considered by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 20 law schools in the nation. Upon graduation, Joseph was awarded the prestigious John W. Calhoun Trial Practice award for demonstrating excellence in trial advocacy.

As a practicing attorney, Joseph received recognition by National Trial Lawyers as one of the top 40 lawyers under the age of 40. He had previously been selected as one of the top 30 under 30 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. In 2020, fellow members of the Georgia Bar voted Joseph as a Georgia Super Lawyer Rising Star. He has also been recognized for his outstanding service to Fulton County schools. Giving back to the community and philanthropy remains paramount to his vision and philosophy.

Leadership

Joseph is the past Vice-President of the Emerging 100 of Atlanta and was recently inducted into the prestigious 100 Black Men of Atlanta – one of the youngest members in the entire organization. In addition, he serves as the President of the Stone Mountain Alumni Foundation of Kappa Alpha Psi.

Family

In his free time, Joseph enjoys spending time with his wife Essence, as well as their two boys Jaxson and Kingston at their Atlanta home.

Probate & Estate Planning

Probate & Estate Planning

by | Nov 4, 2021 | practice-areas

Probate lawyers, also referred to as estate or trust lawyers, help executors of the estate, or, administrators if there is no will, manage the probate process.

Estate Planning Lawyers 

Our team of Estate Planning Lawyers are here to help you with your estate planning needs. We can prepare your will, living trusts and other relevant documents.

Probate Lawyers 

Our team of probate lawyers are here to assist you with the estate administration process after a person dies. We are here to help you navigate the probate process after a loved one dies and to provide you with advice on powers of attorneys, or serve as an executor or administrator.

If a Will Exists

Our team of attorneys is here to help you when a loved one dies and has an existing will. Most wills go through probate with no problem. However, there are many reasons a will may be challenged. A probate attorney may also assist you in reviewing the will to ensure that it was not signed or written under duress/in the best interest of the individual who owns the will. An example of a will written under duress would be an individual who has dementia who is more vulnerable to writing a will to the benefit of a person who wants a cut of the estate.

If No Will Exists 

When one dies without a signed will, they are said to have died “intestate.” When this happens, the individual’s estate is distributed according to the intestacy laws of the state in which the property is located. Intestate laws vary state to state; however, in most states, the surviving spouse receives all of the intestate property.

In this type of situation, a probate lawyer can help the administrator of the estate to distribute assets according to state intestacy laws.

Renunciations

If there is no will, the relative who wishes to become the estate’s administrator must first obtain renunciations from the decedent’s surviving relatives. Renunciations is a legal statement renouncing an individual’s right to administer the estate. A probate attorney can assist in securing the renunciation statements and file them with the probate court. Once filed, the probate attorney can continue to help with the probate process. They can do so by helping to determine estate taxes, secure assets, manage the estate checkbook, etc.

The Role of an Estate Planning Lawyer 

An Estate Planning Lawyer assist clients with developing an estate plan to determine the specific distribution of their estate once they die.

  • Help navigate state and federal tax laws
  • Drafting wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents
  • Collaborate with financial advisors and insurance professionals
  • Advise on life insurance policies, retirement plans, and charitable donations
  • Stay up-to-date on the ever changing tax laws that could ultimately affect estate value

The Role of a Probate Lawyer 

A Probate Lawyer is tasked to advise an estate executor/administrator. Some of these responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Locating all of the decedent’s assets
  • Securing all of the decedent’s assets
  • Appraising the decedent’s property
  • Collecting life insurance proceeds
  • Determining the estates taxes due
  • Advising how to pay the decedent’s debts and bills
  • Managing the estate’s checkbook

Seek Legal Advice Now

If you need assistance with estate planning or you recently lost a loved one and need assistance navigating the probate process, contact us now for a free consultation at 866-854-5529. The team of attorneys at Trial Lawyers for Justice can help bring peace of mind by helping you plan ahead or navigate the probate process after losing a loved one.

Grayson Yoder

Grayson Yoder

by | Nov 2, 2021 | Attorneys

Grayson Yoder

Grayson Yoder
BAR ADMISSIONS

California

 

EDUCATION

Ventura College of Law
– J.D. Juris Doctor

Cal Lutheran University
– Bachelor of Arts in English

 

 

Bio

Grayson Yoder

Grayson Yoder is a dedicated California-based attorney, deeply committed to justice and compassion. A lifelong local Californian, he’s not only a trusted legal advocate but also an incredible father and husband, balancing his professional life with devotion to his family.

Grayson earned a Bachelor’s degree in English, honing his critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills before transitioning to law. His path was shaped in 2017 when he met his mentor, Nick Rowley, whose guidance ignited Grayson’s passion for advocacy and unwavering commitment to fighting for victims.
 
Grayson was the recipient of the 2023 Trial Lawyer of the Year award for a case he tried with Henry Peacor in Ventura County.  The case was a disputed liability mTBI case. After 10 days of trial, the jury deliberated only a single afternoon and awarded more than 3 million dollars to our client.
 
Grayson was an integral part of the trial team in 2025 that brought in a $50,000,000.00 verdict against Starbucks for a man burned by an improperly placed drink in a drink tray.
 
Driven by a heartfelt desire to support those who have suffered injustice, Grayson blends his literary-rooted clarity with rigorous legal expertise. He stands out for his ability to craft compelling arguments and offer meaningful support to clients navigating difficult moments.