Practice Areas

Interview with Julie Poirier

After 16 years of successfully running another firm’s workers’ compensation department, Julie Poirier decided to open her own firm. She’s passionate about her clients, her field, her practice area, and has the experience to back it all up.

Q: What was it like when you first started practicing law?
A: A little unnerving- I tried my first case in court just four weeks out of law school. A lot of larger firms won’t let you try a case until after your first year- it was a sink or swim situation, but I learned a lot about what to do (and what not to do!)

Q: Were you intimidated?

A: Yes. Most of the defense attorneys I was up against were a lot more experienced than I was and were friendly with the Judges. I just had to go with what I knew- I knew my case, the law, and I prepared each and every client. I’m aggressive by nature and tapped into my passion for each client. I won many of my cases, and kept winning and slowly started earning their respect and recognition.

Q: I’m sure you see a lot of heartbreaking things- what’s something that keeps you going?

A: Every year around the holidays I get cards and gifts from past clients- people I represented over a decade ago. That always reminds me that I helped make an enormous difference in my client’s lives and the lives of their families. It means a lot.

Q: Do you have a case that you and your client knew you had to fight even though it was going to be a tough one to win?

A: Absolutely. I really fight to get my clients what they deserve- I have to. My client’s hand got severely injured working in a poultry plant and ended up requiring five surgeries. After the first surgery the plant doctors released her for full duty- and she was in severe pain. We had a lot of things stacked against us. We wanted a change in doctors to a qualified doctor that was over an hour away from the plant and my client’s house. All these factors made it more difficult, but not impossible. At the end of the day my client got what she deserved- a new doctor, four more surgeries, a paycheck along the way, and the case settled for well into the six figures.

Q: What makes you different from other lawyers?

A: Open communication. I think it’s very important to build a relationship based on mutual trust with my clients. They always know where all the cards on the table lie. They also know that I’m always prepared. I have their back and I am ready to go to court or trial whenever they are. I’m always looking out for their best interests and my clients really know and feel that. If you know the case, you know your client, and your client knows you have their back…then you’re off to a great start and make an unstoppable team.

Q: What made you decide to open up your new firm?

A: It was time to start a new chapter. I wanted the ability to dedicate more time to providing impeccable service and attention to each and every client, something that I had not been able to do in a high volume practice for 16 years. Opening my own practice allows me more flexibility and also lets me be more accessible to my clients and their schedules.