Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers

Forced to Go Through Law School Twice: Lessons in Perseverance | Rodd Santomauro (Lien Resolution Strategist)

Episode 44

You've completed law school, taken the bar exam, have built a network of contacts and are ready to start practicing. 

And then, your entire law school's results are thrown out. 

You're faced with the choice: walk away completely for a new career, or go back to law school and do it all over again.

"I graduated the first time, took the bar, and I had to ask myself then before I was even a licensed lawyer, will I do it all again?"

Rodd Santomauro joins us to share his compelling story of persistence, perseverance and authenticity in building a thriving career as a plaintiff's personal injury attorney, and most recently, VP of Strategic Partnership and lien resolution strategist with Synergy.

Learn just how important it is to be proactive, assertive and taking responsibility for your own career. "I wouldn't let the inaction of others negatively impact my dreams," says Rodd. Protect your sanity, and your clients’ money, by being true to yourself. 

The results will follow.

In this episode, we discuss:

◼️ Why over-preparation is crucial to standing out, and can make a real difference in work and life.
◼️ Why proactive advocacy is crucial for achieving the best outcomes for clients.
◼️ Why understanding liens is essential for personal injury lawyers.
◼️ How negotiating with lien holders can significantly impact client settlements.
◼️ Strategies used to negotiate lien reductions, ultimately benefiting both lawyers and their clients.
◼️ How empathy and active listening help you truly understand your clients, and get the best possible results.

Chapters

00:00 Finding Fulfillment in Your Career
03:53 The Importance of Personal Style
06:44 Embracing Authenticity in the Legal Profession
08:32 Forced to Repeat Law School: Lessons in Perseverance
15:27 The Role of Continuous Learning
17:58 Rodd's Work with Synergy
24:34 Understanding the MCO Case
25:21 Client Impact and Fee Structure
30:55 Explaining Liens to Clients
36:17 Negotiating with Lien Holders
40:30 Pushing Forward in Legal Cases
44:38 Advice for Young Lawyers

Courtroom Stories & Tactics | RVA Trial Lawyers
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Based out of Richmond, Virginia, Courtroom Stories & Tactics by RVA Trial Lawyers exists for lawyers who try cases to juries on behalf of people. Through our podcast, we hope to learn from them, support them, connect them, inspire them, and preserve their work for future trial lawyers.

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Sharif Gray and Nael Abouzaki

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