{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"S3 Eps 20: Steeves Hopson- Big Verdicts, Bold Moves","description":"In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, host Peter Taaffe sits down with attorney Steeves Hopson, founder of Hopson Injury Attorneys, to talk about his bold move from working at top firms to launching his own law practice. Steeves shares his path from growing up in a family full of lawyers, to prosecuting serious cases in Webb County, to landing multiple impressive verdicts just before and after starting his firm. They cover the realities of going solo\u2014from financial preparation and building a personal brand, to grassroots marketing, mentorship, and standing out in a crowded personal injury market. Steeves also walks us through three recent trials, including a tough Texas Tort Claims Act case, a bench trial against a shady defendant, and a dog bite trial with pro se opponents\u2014proving that even \u201cimpossible\u201d cases can be worth fighting. This episode is packed with practical advice for young lawyers, candid stories from the courtroom, and insight into what it really takes to make the leap into running your own firm.   Show Notes Steeves Hopson\u2019s Background \u2013 From Laredo roots to a family of lawyers, including his mother\u2019s career in big law and his uncle\u2019s time as DA in Webb County. Early Legal Career \u2013 Stint in employment law, shift to the Webb County DA\u2019s office, and work in the Special Victims Unit during COVID. Transition to Personal Injury \u2013 Moves to Houston, working at respected PI firms before deciding to go solo. Why Start Your Own Firm? \u2013 Independence, entrepreneurial family influence, and the ability to attract clients. Practical Advice for Going Solo \u2013 Save 9\u201312 months of expenses. Have a clear client acquisition plan. Define your unique brand and niche. Build strong mentorship relationships. Lean Startup Approach \u2013 Using co-working spaces, low overhead, and free tools like social media to compete with larger firms. Grassroots Marketing \u2013 Authenticity, LinkedIn networking, community engagement, and becoming the \u201cgo-to lawyer\u201d for everyone you meet. Case 1: TCA Car Crash Verdict \u2013 $265k jury award (capped at $100k), retried after a mistrial due to interpreter issue, strategic use of jury selection themes. Case 2: Bench Trial Negligence Case \u2013 $625k judgment for a client blinded by unlicensed stem cell treatments; challenges with judgment-proof defendants. Case 3: Dog Bite Trial in Austin \u2013 $198k verdict against pro se defendants; courtroom theater, controlling narrative, and thematic storytelling (\u201cseries of bad choices\u201d). Why Try Hard Cases \u2013 Even with caps or no insurance, cases can have value for the client and the lawyer\u2019s reputation. Giving Back \u2013 Donating a portion of every fee to nonprofit causes as part of the firm\u2019s mission. ","author_name":"The Dirty Verdict","author_url":"https:\/\/www.herberttrial.com\/the-dirty-verdict\/","html":"