Spotlight on Danielle Rodriguez
Posted on Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 at 11:39 am
Learn more about Danielle Rodriguez, an Associate at Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC
How long have you been in practice?
How long have you been in practice?I have been with the Firm since July 2015. Prior to practicing law, I taught in public and private education for 8 years.
Describe your area of practice.
I currently focus on Bankruptcy and Personal Injury. I also do some Social Security Disability law.
Why did you choose this area of practice?
I went to law school because I understand how frustrating and scary it can be to face a legal situation with no understanding of the legal field. After watching family and friends struggle with divorce, bankruptcy, and automobile accidents, I decided that I wanted to be able to help others who face that sense of helplessness. I enjoy extending some peace of mind to my clients and helping them see a light at the end of the tunnel.
What attracted you to this area of practice?
As a teacher, I constantly interacted with students and families. I enjoyed those relationships and wanted to practice in an area of law that would facilitate similar connections with my clients. I never would have enjoyed working in a corporate office without face-to-face meetings and regular phone calls. In each of the areas I practice, I am able to develop strong relationships with clients, and that ultimately helps me advocate on their behalf in a more meaningful way.
What makes you or your practice stand out?
We make personal connections with our clients and their struggles become our own. Client satisfaction is truly important to us—this is one reason why clients are able to speak to their attorneys when they call and receive reply emails promptly.
What is the biggest success you have had?
I feel that every success is an important piece to the overall puzzle. Whether it is as simple as offering assurance to a nervous client or finding solutions to problems that impede a bankruptcy, I am always satisfied to close a case and know that I helped.
What is your favorite part of running your practice?
I love telling clients that, “We’ll take this from here. You don’t need to worry about it anymore.”
What are the biggest challenges you face?
It is important to me to be available to my clients when they need me. Managing emails and phone calls in a timely manner sometimes requires that I come in on weekends and evenings, especially when I’ve been kept out during the day for Court. Although it takes some creative time management, it is a continued priority of mine. I have had several clients express amazement when I returned their phone calls late into the evening or on a Saturday. When a client chooses me or any other Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC attorney, they aren’t just choosing a 9-5 representative.
Do you have any special education, background or skills? What unique talents do you bring to your practice?
As I mentioned before, I worked in education for 8 years prior to practicing law. From the outside, it may seem like teaching elementary school doesn’t have too many similarities to what I do now. However, the skills I acquired during that professional experience have been invaluable to my daily performance as an attorney. I acquired strong problem solving and interpersonal skills, developed the ability to organize and multi-task under even the most stressful situations, and above all, became perfectly accustomed to getting my work done whenever and wherever is necessary. I used to sit at my son’s basketball practice grading papers—now I’m summarizing medical records!
How are you involved with the community?
Currently, I am working with AppalRed Legal Aid to assist several victims of the Social Security Administration’s fraud investigation in Eastern Kentucky. These clients did nothing wrong and are truly disabled, however the SSA is threatening to end their disability benefits because of the possible wrong actions of others. I am hopeful that I can secure a successful outcome for each of them.
What are the future plans for your practice?
It is my goal to help greatly expand the Bankruptcy and Personal Injury practices of Lawrence & Associates Accident and Injury Lawyers, LLC. Someday, I would like to combine my knowledge and expertise of public education with my legal career by expanding my practice area to include Special Education Law.
What is the best advice that you received and who did it come from?
“Let all that you do be done in love.”
– 1 Corinthians 16:14
