Personal Injury Law

Overview

Personal injury lawyers practice in the area of torts. Typically, they are thought of as plaintiffs’ lawyers and provide legal representation to individuals who claim to have been injured, physically or psychologically, as a result of the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, company, or government agency, but some may specialize in defending individuals against such claims. Some personal injury lawyers handle multiple types of cases whereas others may specialize in a given area such as car accidents, medical malpractice, or product liability. While some personal injury lawyers may do trial work, most personal injury cases settle out of court.

Skills/Personality Characteristics

  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Interpersonal communication and negotiation skills
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Sincere interest in tort law

Where do personal injury lawyers practice?

Most personal injury lawyers practice in small firms or start solo practices. However some, particularly on the defense side, may practice in medium-sized or large firms.

Selected Courses at Brandeis School of Law

These courses have been taught in the last two years and may or may not be on the schedule for the next academic year. If you are interested in a course listed here, but the course is not on the schedule, please see the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

  • Dispute Resolution
  • Insurance
  • Mediation
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Negotiations
  • Products Liability
  • Torts I & II

Students should also consider taking courses in employment law and intellectual property as well as management and business classes taught at the business school.

Selected Faculty Who Teach in This Area

Jamie Abrams
Timothy Hall
James R. Jones
David Leibson

Student Organizations

  • Kentucky Justice Association
  • Moot Court Board

Public Service Placement Opportunities

  • Kentucky Foundation for Justice (Consumer Protection)

Professional Associations

  • Kentucky Bar Association Civil Litigation Section
  • Louisville Bar Association Litigation Section
  • National Association of Personal Injury Lawyers

For further reading, How to Build and Manage a Personal Injury Practice, Gibson, K. W. & American Bar Association. 2012, and Profile of a Litigator: Personality Traits of the Personal Injury Attorney, Ryan, Patrick M. 1996, are available in the Law Library.