Katie Marshall is a Trial Attorney at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, an Indianapolis law firm representing people with personal injury, wrongful death, and medical negligence claims. A recipient of the Max Goodwin Young Lawyer of the Year award, Katie has earned a reputation as one of the top trial lawyers in Indiana, known for her relentless pursuit of justice and impressive courtroom victories. Growing up in McCordsville, Indiana, she developed a strong interest in the legal system early, influenced by high-profile trials and TV shows like Court TV and Matlock. As a member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, she chairs the Women’s Caucus, contributing to pivotal discussions and networking opportunities in the legal community.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

• [03:05] Katie Marshall’s journey from small-town roots to top lawyer
• [04:12] How high-profile trials of the ’90s ignited Katie’s passion for law
• [06:36] Katie’s path from paralegal to an accomplished trial attorney
• [9:55] Katie discusses the challenges and triumphs of her first trial experience
• [16:17] Soft tissue injury cases: Katie’s strategy for more substantial verdicts
• [22:26] Behind the scenes of a high-stakes Tesla trial
• [33:51] Why closing rebuttals are Katie’s favorite trial moments
• [39:13] The power of jury trials in transformative community change
• [50:19] Katie’s surprising meditative hobby: modern quilting

In this episode…

What does it take to become a top trial lawyer in the competitive legal field? Katie Marshall, a trial attorney with a track record of pushing past prejudices and difficulties, explores this compelling question, shedding light on defying the odds and carving a niche in personal injury law.

Katie Marshall reflects on key lessons from her legal journey, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, networking, and hands-on trial experience. Inspired by iconic cases like the O.J. Simpson trial, she developed a passion for challenging cases early in her career. She highlights the role of focus groups in refining trial strategies and underscores the value of a solid support system in managing a demanding career. Sharing case studies of her experiences with high-profile cases, Katie illustrates how attorneys can stay true to their values in the face of adversity, prevent stereotypes from holding them back, and inspire a new way of thinking within the legal system. Striking a balance between her demanding career and her personal life, she also reveals creative hobbies that help her recharge and stay connected to those she loves.

In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Alex Limontes hosts Katie Marshall, Trial Attorney at Christie Farrell Lee & Bell, about how she secures favorable outcomes in the courtroom. Katie delves into the value of mentorship and networking for aspiring lawyers, how early trial opportunities accelerated her professional growth, and how to utilize focus groups for case preparation.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Alex Limontes: LinkedIn | Bio | Facebook
• Hurst Limontes LLC
• Katie Marshall on LinkedIn
• Christie Farrell Lee & Bell
• Indiana Trial Lawyers Association

Quotable Moments:

• “You have a jury who relates to it, and they get it. You can tell your client’s story.”
• “If you don’t start early, then I think it becomes more of a stressful situation.”
• “We’ve had some success; cases where the insurance company thinks, ‘What’s the worst that could happen?'”
• “People like stories; they connect with the human story.”
• “I would watch Matlock religiously.”

Action Steps:

1. Start your legal journey at any level and continuously seek growth opportunities: This demonstrates the potential for career development in the legal field, as highlighted by Katie Marshall’s transition from receptionist to top trial lawyer.
2. Engage with legal mentors and seize educational opportunities: Learning from experienced professionals is key to acquiring trial advocacy skills, as Katie benefited from mentors like Rob EBS.
3. Balance professional dedication with personal hobbies and family time: Katie’s successful juggling of a demanding career and personal life emphasizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance.
4. Embrace every chance to try a variety of cases: Katie’s eagerness to take on cases big or small underscores the thrill of advocating for justice, providing valuable experience, and sending a strong message to insurers.
5. Contribute to legal organizations and engage with the community: Katie’s leadership role in the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association illustrates the impact of community involvement and professional networking in furthering one’s legal career.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Hurst Limontes LLC — a personal injury law firm based in Indiana.

Founded in 1981, Hurst Limontes LLC is one of the few firms whose practice focuses exclusively on victims of negligence and their families.

With more than 116 years of combined experience among our attorneys, you can trust us to handle your cases with valuable and extensive expertise. We have the knowledge to handle any case — from automobile accidents to construction site accidents, firearm discharge accidents, slips and falls, and more.

No matter how complex the case or how significant the injury is, we aim to make the process as stress-free as possible for clients.

Our attorneys have represented thousands of injured clients and obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.

Have you or a family member been a personal injury victim in Indiana? Contact our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers at hurstlimontes.com or email alimontes@hurstlimontes.com.