It is always interesting to hear stories of professionals in the fields of law and medicine, particularly why they chose their careers. It is even more interesting to hear them discuss what motivates them to go to work every day and what they love the most about their jobs. Doctors and lawyers also tend to have very interesting stories about clients and patients they have served during the course of their career.
For example, one of the doctors we interviewed recalls a time he was working at a hospital and had a patient who came in unresponsive with a bleed in his brain. He successfully treated the man back to recovery. Several months later, that same man returned to the hospital to visit someone else. The man recognized the doctor, ran up to him and said, “You saved my life, I remember you, thank you so much!” The man explained to the doctor that he couldn’t have survived without the hospital’s treatment.
Stories like this are the stories you never hear. These are the types of experiences that keep our legal and medical professionals motivated to serve us in times of need.
Here is Part One of the interviews we did with doctors and lawyers across the United States.
1) Christopher Earley, Attorney at Law Office of Christopher Earley
What made you decide to become an attorney?
I really wanted to experience the challenge of law school and the challenge of being a lawyer. Practicing law keeps my brain sharp and is never easy, or boring.
How long have you been practicing?
13 years.
What do you love the most about being an attorney?
Standing up for people when they have been harmed and knowing they trust you during such a pivotal time for them really motivates me.
Describe a memorable story of a client? What was so memorable about this client?
When I first started out after law school I had little clue on what I was doing. Fortunately I was able to secure a sizeable settlement for a client. She was from South America and said excitedly to me the settlement would help pay for a nice home for her family in her native country. I will never forget the look on her face when she told me this.
What made you decide to become a physician?
I wanted to be in a position to help people and have a lasting relationship with my patients and people. To help people make themselves better and then in turn help contribute to society. And I wanted to be on the cutting edge of science and medicine to make the world a better place.
How long have you been practicing?
I have been an MD since 2003
What do you love the most about being a physician?
Being able to change people’s lives for the better and being challenged every day to be a better person.
Describe a memorable story of a patient? What was so memorable about this patient?
A four year old girl in Liberia that had a huge tumor on her leg and if I didn’t operate she would have died. This taught me compassion, humility, and the will to serve. It also taught me to not be scared to not think outside your comfort zone.
3) Brian Pendergraft, Attorney at The Pendergraft Firm LLC
What made you decide to become an attorney?
I have an affinity for reading, writing, logic, and critical inquiry. So I decided to go with the flow of what I have always been good at. My mother was a teacher that taught me how to read, write, and speaking since I was a young child. I have been reading and writing since before I can remember. I honestly feel like I am getting paid to do what I have been doing my entire life.
How long have I been practicing?
I have been practicing for four years.
What do I love most about being an attorney?
Entrepreneurship. I love being a law entrepreneur. It has challenged me to learn business systems and leverage technologies that I otherwise would never have learned in order to create a lifestyle where I can focus on living instead of working. I’m sure you don’t have to become a lawyer to walk this path, but this is my path and it’s meant for me.
Describe a memorable story of a client. What was so memorable about this client?
My most memorable client was my elementary school tutor. She asked me to help her with a car insurance claim. I practice real estate law in my day to day almost never take on cases outside of this area, but I felt compelled to help her since she is part of the reason I made it to where I am now. We settled the case for an amount she was very happy with. She is my only client that saw me grow from a boy that hated doing homework into a zealous advocate.
4) Shlomo Zalman Bregman, Founder of the Law Offices of Samuel M. Bregman
What made you decide to become an attorney?
I grew up in a family where every male is a Medical Doctor. I’m serious! I’m talking about my father, grandfather, every uncle … you name it. And so, throughout my childhood, this was the default expectation for my future.
Although by the end of college I was indeed accepted to medical school, I ultimately decided that pursuing a career in the law was a better fit for my professional strengths of advocacy and communication.
