In this episode of The Attorney Post, Blaise Patzkowski takes center stage, offering insights into his career as a personal injury lawyer and sharing personal experiences that shaped his path. Blaise begins by discussing his most important personal goals: being the best husband, father, and lawyer he can be. He emphasizes that his commitment to family and personal growth extends to his law practice, where he handles personal injury cases with a focus on helping victims of car accidents, working closely with insurance companies, and ensuring that clients receive the right medical treatment. His dedication to clients and his belief in personal involvement in every case set the tone for his approach to law.
Blaise’s journey into law started with a deep interest in politics. He shared how his experiences in youth government programs and political science studies initially led him to consider a political career. However, his passion shifted towards law, and he eventually decided to practice personal injury law instead of pursuing politics. Blaise notes that while politics can be polarizing and difficult to influence, personal injury law allows him to have a direct impact on people's lives.
One of the major highlights of the episode is Blaise's transition from working in large law firms to starting his own practice. He explains that he worked at several firms before deciding to go out on his own, where he could have more control over the types of cases he takes and the way he handles them. With a manageable caseload of 30 to 35 cases, and one full-time paralegal working with him, Blaise aims to keep his practice small but efficient. This allows him to maintain personal involvement in each case and provide better attention to his clients. He envisions a future where he has even more flexibility, continuing to work on cases he's passionate about while also balancing his professional and personal life.
Blaise’s approach to personal injury law is grounded in empathy and understanding. He recounts a touching case where he and his team were able to secure a seven-figure settlement for a family, drastically changing their lives. On the flip side, he also shares a case where the other party was uninsured, limiting the compensation his client could receive. In this situation, Blaise decided to waive his fee entirely and handle the case for free to help the client as much as possible. This decision showcases his compassion and the freedom his own practice gives him to make such decisions.
Throughout the conversation, Blaise emphasizes the importance of customer service and owning up to mistakes. He draws a parallel between the legal field and everyday service experiences, such as receiving the wrong order at a restaurant. For Blaise, how an organization handles mistakes is crucial—it's not just about fixing the issue but going above and beyond to leave a positive impression. This philosophy also extends to his law practice, where he believes communication is key. Blaise stresses the importance of being transparent with clients, explaining legal processes, and ensuring that any mistakes are promptly addressed.
In discussing personal challenges, Blaise touches on how he copes with the emotional and often gruesome aspects of personal injury cases. He mentions the difficulty of dealing with graphic images and stories, but also notes that helping people through these difficult situations is what drives him. Blaise finds joy and balance in his personal life, especially with his family, which helps him handle the tough aspects of his job. This balance is critical to his success and well-being, both as a lawyer and a person.
Looking to the future, Blaise expresses concerns about the current state of minimum insurance requirements in California. The minimum requirement, set decades ago, remains at $15,000, which is grossly inadequate for compensating victims of accidents in today’s economy. Blaise highlights that the law is set to change in 2025, but believes further increases are necessary to ensure accident victims receive fair compensation. This advocacy reflects his commitment to not only helping his clients but also pushing for broader changes that will benefit all personal injury victims.
In closing, Blaise offers advice to those thinking about starting their own business or law firm. He encourages listeners to take the leap and not be afraid of failure. For him, the shift from working as an employee to running his own practice has been life-changing, allowing him more control over his professional and personal life. He also emphasizes the importance of sharing what you do with others, noting that many of his clients come through word-of-mouth recommendations, which is built on trust from the start.
Overall, Blaise Patzkowski’s appearance on The Attorney Post provides a deep dive into the life of a personal injury lawyer who is not only dedicated to his clients but also to his family, personal growth, and improving the legal landscape for accident victims. His story is one of passion, compassion, and commitment to justice.
Patzkowski Law
2942 Century Pl., Ste. 900
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(949) 342-5120
Online at: Patzkowski Law
