Meet the Firm: Richard Haik Jr.
November 28, 2014 @ 9:56 am
Richard Haik Jr. definitely enjoys his career as an attorney for Morrow, Morrow, Ryan and Bassett, and helping his clients navigate through incredibly hard times seems to be the driving force behind his dedication. Mr. Haik emphasizes he practices law to help others, and he elaborates about his career below:
What is your favorite type of law?
My favorite type of law is personal injury law, which is the vast majority of our practice. I love this work because it gives me the opportunity to get to know people and really help them. When people are injured in an accident, pain can make daily activities difficult or even impossible. When people are hurt and can no longer work or do the things they enjoy, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and frustrated. I enjoy being able to help people through those difficult times, and working hard to help them get the best result possible. More than that though, I enjoy getting to know my clients on a personal level, and I still keep up with many of them long after their cases are done.
What is your career’s toughest aspect?
It’s always tough when someone is seriously injured and there is not enough insurance coverage to help pay their medical bills or cover their damages. I tell everyone to call their insurance agent and make sure that they have UM (underinsured/uninsured motorist) coverage. UM insurance provides coverage when you’re involved in an automobile accident and the at-fault person either has no insurance or not enough insurance. Unfortunately, there are a lot of uninsured drivers on the road, and even more with minimum limit policies. Many times, people believe that they have “full coverage” but they do not have UM coverage. So please—check to make sure you have UM coverage!
How long have you been with the firm?
I started with MMRB on March 1, 2008. Prior to that, I clerked for a federal judge in the District of Hawaii, and then did insurance defense work before switching to personal injury work and representing those that are hurt through no fault of their own.
What do you love most about being a lawyer?
I love getting to know people and being given the opportunity to help them during a difficult time. When you’re hurt, the process can be confusing and often times frustrating. I consider it an honor when someone chooses me to help them through those times. Often times, a person’s entire life is in my hands, and it’s a great responsibility. Many of my cases now come from former clients that refer their friends and family to me when they get hurt. Knowing that I did a great job for my clients and that they trust me with their family and friends is humbling and rewarding.
What is your biggest achievement either professionally or personally?
This is a difficult question, because I don’t consider one case to be “bigger” than another. Our firm played an integral part in the Actos MDL, and I was fortunate enough to help pick the jury that ultimately gave a $9 Billion jury verdict after we proved that a pharmaceutical company put profits before people and withheld information about the drug causing bladder cancer. While easily the largest verdict I’ve ever been a part of, I get equal enjoyment each time I settle an automobile accident claim or offshore injury accident claim. Any time I can reach a result that makes my client happy, I feel great.
What advice do you have for people seeking to pursue a career in law?
I hear a lot of kids in high school say that they want to be a lawyer because they enjoy arguing. But being a lawyer is a lot more than that, and often you will spend much more time at a desk than in a courtroom. Try to visit with an attorney or even work at a firm if possible, so that you can see if it’s the type of career you want to pursue. There are also many different types of law, so research to see if one type of law is perhaps more interesting for you than another. Finally, take as many college writing classes as possible. I was an English major in undergrad, which prepared me for law school and beyond. Practicing law requires a lot of reading and writing, and being able to do both well is important.
What is your favorite memory from law school?
I enjoyed the social aspect of law school. I made lifelong friends that made law school fun for me.
What is your least favorite memory from law school?
While I’m sure I have a “least favorite” memory, nothing really comes to mind. Life is too short to hold on to the bad times, so I guess I just forgot whatever moment would qualify as the “worst.” For a long time after graduating, though, I would wake up thinking that I slept through a final exam. I don’t miss taking those exams.
What triggered your interest in law?
I’ve wanted to be an attorney for practically as long as I can remember. My father was an attorney, before becoming a state judge and later a federal judge. I remember very vividly several instances where my dad’s former clients stopped us to say hello, and told me how my dad helped them. Getting to see firsthand the good that can be done in this line of work made me want to become a lawyer. My father would also bring me to work with him whenever he had a case involving excellent attorneys. Having the opportunity at such a young age to watch some of the best attorneys in the country made me realize the importance of hard work, preparation and courtroom presence while reinforcing that I wanted to be a trial attorney later in life.
What was it like to have your first case as a Morrow, Morrow, Ryan and Bassett attorney?
My first trial at MMRB was interesting, as it wasn’t your “typical” case. It actually involved two clocks, each weighing nearly 20 lbs, crashing on my client’s head while she was shopping. Because of this accident, she had two neck surgeries, could no longer work, and it became difficult to care for her two children. It was a complicated case that involved issues of liability, causation and damages. Jeff Bassett and I tried it together, and ultimately secured fantastic jury verdict and final judgment. What I enjoy even more is that the client still comes by on occasion to say hello, which means a lot to me.
