2025
Personal Injury Special Issue

Attorney at Law Magazine is proud to introduce its 2025 Personal Injury special issue celebrating personal injury lawyers nationwide. 

Lawyers! Welcome back to our Second Annual Personal Injury Special Issue. This is where it all started. Last year, we kicked off such an exciting new chapter for our magazine with the Inaugural Personal Injury issue. It has been an exciting year sharing stories of so many lawyers from across the country.

In this issue, we’re so excited to highlight some standout lawyers and legal teams. Our cover feature tells the story of Michael Bryant, the managing partner of Bradshaw & Bryant in Minnesota. An impressive lawyer with more than 35 years of experience making an impact in and out of the court room, he still made sure to emphasize that it is a team effort. He gave a nod to each member of the team, including his retired co-founder Jon Bradshaw who passed away during the production of this issue. Thank you, Mike for letting us tell a little bit of your team’s story.

Similarly, the leaders of Parker + McConkie – Brian Stewart and Steven Jensen – spoke about the founders of their firm and the culture they developed that they are proud to carry on.

In launching his firm, Brandon Rafi sought not only to help his clients but to give back to the community that raised him. To that end, he founded Rafi’s Hope, the philanthropic arm of the firm.

Attorney James Helm turned down a position with a big firm to follow his heart into the practice of personal injury law in his own way – by founding Top Dog Law. Looking back today, it’s easy to say he made the right choice.

The issue also brings you interviews with Michael Kelly, Carma Henson, George Telquist, Jesse Soffer, Zachary Ballin and Corinne Hodak.

Additionally, Tom Lenfestey shared a bit about the entrance of private equity into personal injury law and how it is expanding. Personal injury attorney Cristina Kerr delves into the need to invest in the future of PI through mentorship.

Thank you all for helping to make this issue great!

Happy reading,

Ken Minniti

Ken

Kenneth Minniti
Executive Publisher

The Editorial

The Lawyers of Bradshaw & Bryant: Championing Justice

For more than three decades, attorneys at Bradshaw & Bryant have been fighting for justice and championing the cause of victims throughout Minnesota and beyond. “Justice for the Injured” is more than just a catchy slogan, it’s a solemn promise to those who have been hurt or victimized. Managing Partner Micheal Bryant had always aspired to a career in the

Read More »

Brian Stewart & Steven Jensen Taking up the Mantle of Parker + McConkie

Long before Brian Stewart and Steven Jensen assumed leadership, Parker + McConkie had already established itself as a legal beacon for the people of Utah. Founded on a philosophy of compassion and an unwavering commitment to justice, the firm built a reputation not only for its formidable legal prowess but also for its dedication to fostering strong client relationships. Renowned

Read More »

Michael A. Kelly: Standing Up for What’s Right

Michael A. Kelly is a shareholder with Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger in San Francisco. AALM: What led you to pursue a career in personal injury law? MK: I clerked for the Walkup firm all three years during law school. I was inspired by the life-changing impact lawyers had in optimizing the lives of clients suffering from major disabilities, cognitive

Read More »
James Helm

James Helm: From Underdog to Top Dog

In an already competitive field, wanting to be at the top takes more than raw talent—it takes a relentless desire, bold advocacy, and a brand that commands attention. Enter James Helm, the visionary founder of Top Dog Law, a firm that is changing the game for injury victims seeking access to legal representation. Helm’s journey is anything but typical —

Read More »
George Telquist

George Telquist: Making a Difference in the Courtroom & Beyond

Raised by two hard working parents, Washington native and personal injury attorney George Telquist brings his strong work ethic and his desire to make a “meaningful difference in people’s lives” to the benefit of his clients. AALM: What drew you to plaintiff’s personal injury work? GT: When I began my legal career, I joined a small firm handling various cases

Read More »
Zachary Ballin

Zachary Ballin: Helping Put Lives Back Together

Massachusetts personal injury attorney Zachary Ballin continues the legacy of seeking justice for his clients – particularly first responders – that his father established with their firm. AALM: What about your father’s practice inspired you to pursue a career in law? ZB: It was clear to me from a young age that going into personal injury law was very different

Read More »

Jesse Soffer: It’s About People’s Lives

Miami lawyer Jesse Soffer found his calling for personal injury law – the ability to be a voice for someone who’s been hurt – as soon as he entered law school. Since, he’s spent his career fighting for fairness and accountability. AALM: How is your career different today than you envisioned it in law school? JS: Back in law school,

Read More »

Private Equity’s Push into Personal Injury Law: Market Consolidation, ABS Expansion & The Impending Succession Challenge

The personal injury (PI) legal sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by increasing private equity (PE) investment, expanding alternative business structures (ABS), and growing demands for technology, AI, and staffing investments. All while traditional marketing and competition seems to be growing as well. While PE firms have already made significant moves into the PI space from lending, ABS and financial

Read More »

Mentoring the Next Generation: Investing in Our Future

My law firm played a role in shaping my career. I started at Bye, Goff & Rohde as a college student, eager to learn the ropes of the legal world. The mentorship and support I received during those early years were invaluable, fueling my desire to attend law school and ultimately bringing me back to where it all began. Now,

Read More »
Carma Henson

Carma Henson: Holding Nursing Homes Accountable

“Nursing homes are getting away with murder. I will scream it to the top of my lungs,” said Carma Henson, who handles nursing home abuse cases at Raleigh-based personal injury firm Henson Fuerst. She has focused her practice on these cases for more than 15 years. “I am determined to hold nursing homes accountable, one case at a time. Bad

Read More »
Corinne Hodak

Corinne Hodak: Seeking Justice Beyond Her Clients

AALM: How did your experiences as a nurse lead you to pursue a legal career? CH: As a nurse in the intensive care unit, I took care of many patients who had been injured by someone else’s negligence. I wanted to be able to help them seek justice for their injuries, which were life changing. Also, I could see things

Read More »

The Lawyers of Bradshaw & Bryant: Championing Justice

For more than three decades, attorneys at Bradshaw & Bryant have been fighting for justice and championing the cause of victims throughout Minnesota and beyond. “Justice for the Injured” is more than just a catchy slogan, it’s a solemn promise to those who have been hurt or victimized. Managing Partner Micheal Bryant had always aspired to a career in the

Read More »

Brian Stewart & Steven Jensen Taking up the Mantle of Parker + McConkie

Long before Brian Stewart and Steven Jensen assumed leadership, Parker + McConkie had already established itself as a legal beacon for the people of Utah. Founded on a philosophy of compassion and an unwavering commitment to justice, the firm built a reputation not only for its formidable legal prowess but also for its dedication to fostering strong client relationships. Renowned

Read More »

Michael A. Kelly: Standing Up for What’s Right

Michael A. Kelly is a shareholder with Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger in San Francisco. AALM: What led you to pursue a career in personal injury law? MK: I clerked for the Walkup firm all three years during law school. I was inspired by the life-changing impact lawyers had in optimizing the lives of clients suffering from major disabilities, cognitive

Read More »
James Helm

James Helm: From Underdog to Top Dog

In an already competitive field, wanting to be at the top takes more than raw talent—it takes a relentless desire, bold advocacy, and a brand that commands attention. Enter James Helm, the visionary founder of Top Dog Law, a firm that is changing the game for injury victims seeking access to legal representation. Helm’s journey is anything but typical —

Read More »
George Telquist

George Telquist: Making a Difference in the Courtroom & Beyond

Raised by two hard working parents, Washington native and personal injury attorney George Telquist brings his strong work ethic and his desire to make a “meaningful difference in people’s lives” to the benefit of his clients. AALM: What drew you to plaintiff’s personal injury work? GT: When I began my legal career, I joined a small firm handling various cases

Read More »
Zachary Ballin

Zachary Ballin: Helping Put Lives Back Together

Massachusetts personal injury attorney Zachary Ballin continues the legacy of seeking justice for his clients – particularly first responders – that his father established with their firm. AALM: What about your father’s practice inspired you to pursue a career in law? ZB: It was clear to me from a young age that going into personal injury law was very different

Read More »

Jesse Soffer: It’s About People’s Lives

Miami lawyer Jesse Soffer found his calling for personal injury law – the ability to be a voice for someone who’s been hurt – as soon as he entered law school. Since, he’s spent his career fighting for fairness and accountability. AALM: How is your career different today than you envisioned it in law school? JS: Back in law school,

Read More »

Private Equity’s Push into Personal Injury Law: Market Consolidation, ABS Expansion & The Impending Succession Challenge

The personal injury (PI) legal sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by increasing private equity (PE) investment, expanding alternative business structures (ABS), and growing demands for technology, AI, and staffing investments. All while traditional marketing and competition seems to be growing as well. While PE firms have already made significant moves into the PI space from lending, ABS and financial

Read More »

Mentoring the Next Generation: Investing in Our Future

My law firm played a role in shaping my career. I started at Bye, Goff & Rohde as a college student, eager to learn the ropes of the legal world. The mentorship and support I received during those early years were invaluable, fueling my desire to attend law school and ultimately bringing me back to where it all began. Now,

Read More »
Carma Henson

Carma Henson: Holding Nursing Homes Accountable

“Nursing homes are getting away with murder. I will scream it to the top of my lungs,” said Carma Henson, who handles nursing home abuse cases at Raleigh-based personal injury firm Henson Fuerst. She has focused her practice on these cases for more than 15 years. “I am determined to hold nursing homes accountable, one case at a time. Bad

Read More »
Corinne Hodak

Corinne Hodak: Seeking Justice Beyond Her Clients

AALM: How did your experiences as a nurse lead you to pursue a legal career? CH: As a nurse in the intensive care unit, I took care of many patients who had been injured by someone else’s negligence. I wanted to be able to help them seek justice for their injuries, which were life changing. Also, I could see things

Read More »

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2024 Personal Injury Special Issue

In February 2024, Attorney at Law Magazine started a new chapter with its first digital special issue in honor of personal injury issues. 

Nic Edgson

Nic Edgson: Big Plans Ahead

Attorney at Law Magazine sat down with Big Auto Accident Attorneys CEO and Managing Attorney Nic Edgson to discuss his career and the “big” plans he has for his firm.

Read More »