JT NOTE: We had the opportunity to hire Andrea Reyes for this summer from right before she graduated ASU through today. She is studying for the LSAT and is taking it in a couple of months. I asked her to write a blog, any topic she wanted, and I am proud of her for focusing on this. We need more individuals like Andrea in our profession. As Arizona Personal Injury attorneys, individual rights is why we do what we do. We are proud of you, Andrea – go get it!
I was in 4th grade when I thought about applying to law school. I couldn’t believe that I uncertain of my own thought. I mean isn’t every 10 year old uncertain of their choices? No wait, I told myself I was crazy, better yet, out of my mind! Why did I want to apply to law school? What entitled me to think this way? Many students at a young age are told to think about what they want to do when they get older, better yet, what they want as a career. I never understood this. I was too young to think about this. To add on to my stress, I told myself I was even further behind compared to the other students who were sitting next to me in class. I was not younger in age, I was just much more misguided.
This confusion had been attached to me my whole life. Why me? Why was I the unlucky one to have the feeling of not knowing if I would have a successful educational career? At the time I did not know why, but I felt it every single day. This feeling grew on me. I told myself I was not at the level I was supposed to be.
It was not until 4th grade that I was told by my teachers that my vocabulary and reading comprehension were relatively low compared to all of my classmates. My teacher’s recommended that my parents hire a tutor to assist me in getting to where I needed to be, “meeting the grade level requirements.” When I heard this, I felt like I was being punished. I saw my parents work day in and out every single day of the week to give me the education I had. It was not fair that my teachers came back and told me I was not at the level I was supposed to be because not only was I working hard to go to school, but so were my parents. Every single day I studied or at least I thought I was because I was teaching myself at home. I was told all my life that through hard work anything is possible.
Fortunately, my parents were able to provide me with a tutor, which was when I began to receive good grades. With the help of an English speaker and an educated woman I had the guidance I needed, someone that was completed focused on me. I think about it now, why did it take my teachers to tell me something was “wrong” with me? It wasn’t that hard to say. I felt like this anger I had towards myself could have been prevented.
Retrospectively, I am glad I experienced this. I have learned to work for what I want to accomplish. I was never handed anything that I completed in any area in life whether it be in school, work, or something so small as to buying myself an ice cream cone. This is when I knew I wanted to apply to law school. I am applying because I know I want to work for those who felt the way I did back in 4th grade. I have come to the realization that minorities, like myself will always feel like they don’t have a voice in this beautiful country. I want to not only represent them but also teach them that they aren’t alone but they are accompanied by millions of Hispanics in this country who feel the same way. I want them to know that my misrepresentation occurred in a setting where I was promised I would not be left behind and I was. Every single person I will be helping will know that, in this country, everyone has a voice.
At Torgenson Law, we give you that voice. Contact our Phoenix personal injury lawyers with anything you need.
John Torgenson is a highly experienced personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of practice in Arizona. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and his Juris Doctor from Notre Dame. John has a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts and settlements, including an $8.25 million recovery for a gunshot injury victim. His expertise has earned him AVVO ratings and recognition as a Super Lawyer.
John is also a sought-after lecturer on personal injury law, sharing his extensive knowledge with peers and aspiring attorneys. Beyond his legal practice, John is an avid golfer and actively supports organizations like the Military Assistance Mission, Arizona School for the Arts, Page Balloon Regatta, University of Arizona Foundation, Junior Achievement of Arizona, and the Tim Huff Pro Bono Golf Classic.
Passionate about advocating for injury victims, John dedicates his career to battling insurance companies and corporate interests, ensuring that the rights of those who are hurt are vigorously defended.
