Carrie Roane

Sponsored by RebuttalPR

Can you share your background and what led you to pursue plaintiff-side litigation?

By way of background, I was born and raised in Florida. I'm a first-generation college student and I don’t have any family members who went to graduate school or became lawyers, so I’m also the first lawyer in my family.

When I was at Florida State University, I was a philosophy major. My intent was to go to law school to help people. Instead of just discussing and thinking about ideas to better society and improve people’s lives, I wanted to take action and make a tangible difference. I thought law school would give me the tools to do that. During law school, I was very interested in pursuing personal injury law or international humanitarian law so I could help people. However, I was pushed in a different direction by career services.

I participated in on-campus interviews, and everyone I spoke with encouraged me to join a big law firm. So, I began my career working for large law firms, the insurance industry, and corporate clients. I did well in law school, and that seemed like the “right” path according to the career services advice I received. At the time, there was a stigma around personal injury lawyers, and many people dissuaded me from pursuing that path. I believed them. I was young, impressionable, and didn’t have any family members in the legal field to provide alternative perspectives.

For the first 16 years of my career, I worked as a defense lawyer for corporate entities like Coca-Cola, hospitals, and big insurance companies. While I was proud of my work—especially when I successfully defended clients against malpractice suits—I often admired the plaintiff’s bar. I wouldn’t say I envied them, but I respected their courage and the impact of their work.

Interestingly, during this time, I frequently tried cases against my current partner, Dana Brooks. Dana was a medical malpractice plaintiff’s lawyer, while I was a medical malpractice defense lawyer. Despite being on opposing sides, we developed a strong bond and a special friendship through our cases. We traveled together for depositions, had fun along the way, and then went head-to-head during proceedings.

In my late thirties, as I approached 40, I began to feel the need for change. I wanted to take control of my career and make decisions for myself rather than following the path others had laid out for me. I spoke with Dana about joining her firm, and I ultimately decided to prioritize my own fulfillment over external expectations and made the leap.

I knew I would enjoy this new chapter and feel more fulfilled helping people rather than working for insurance companies. At that point in my career, I felt more courageous and confident in my own voice, so I made the jump. I joined Dana’s firm, and it has been nine years now. I can honestly say these have been the happiest years of my career.

What would you say is the biggest benefit of starting in defense work before transitioning to the plaintiff side?

I feel like I know where all the bodies are buried. I know all the secrets of the defense bar. I know what they're looking for to value their cases, what their trial strategies are going to be, and what to expect in discovery because I did all of that for so many years. Often, the best offense in a case is to know the forthcoming defense and prepare for it. I feel like I can develop the best offense because I know what their defense is going to be.

I know a lot of plaintiffs' lawyers who have only ever worked on the plaintiff side. They do things they believe are important or that we hear at conferences are important, but those things don’t impact the defense side of the case at all—they don’t move the needle or change the value of the case. I can avoid a lot of those non-essentials, which makes the case resolve faster and cost less for the client.

I imagine your clients really value your ability to build trust and rapport, especially since you understand both sides of the situation. Can you share an experience where this has made a difference?

One of the things I’m really proud of is my ability to resolve a lot of cases without pushing them into litigation. I’m often able to resolve them at policy limits because I know that if I work up the evidence during the pre-litigation process and present it to the defense lawyer or adjuster, I can prove to them why it’s a policy limits case. This allows me to get it done without taking 18 months to litigate the case, without driving up costs, and without increasing the client’s fees. I really feel like this approach is doing the right thing for the client because I know what it takes to get it done in a pre-suit process.

Can you share a case that has had a significant impact on you, either professionally or personally, and that you feel comfortable discussing?

I’ve had a couple of complicated catastrophic and wrongful death cases that have been incredibly impactful because of the relationships I built with the families involved. Even years after those cases were resolved, I still feel like I’m part of their family, and that’s both personally and professionally gratifying. These cases are tough—being the lone woman in a room full of six male defense lawyers representing huge corporate entities is no easy task.

What stands out most to me are the cases with significant personal impact. Wrongful death cases, for example, leave a lasting impression because you’re walking alongside the family, feeling their emotions and their loss. But I want to share a different kind of case that had a profound impact on me recently.

It was a low-value case with little liability and minimal injury. I didn’t initially believe in the claim, but one of my partners encouraged me to take it and fight for the client because a wrong had occurred—albeit a small one. The gratitude this client showed was overwhelming. He brought charcuterie boards, fruit, orchids, and roses for our entire office. He’s a maintenance worker, someone who comes in wearing his work clothes after a day on a garbage truck. For him, it wasn’t about the amount—it was about the fact that someone stood up for him.

This experience reminded me to believe in people even more. Sometimes, a little effort and a small result can have a huge impact on someone’s life. I already believed in people, but this case reinforced how important it is to fight for even the smallest injustices.

Honestly, cases like this, where I get to know people and their stories, are just as meaningful to me as the high-stakes wrongful death cases. They impact you in different ways, but what I enjoy most is building connections—whether it’s feeling like part of a family or a close-knit group of friends.

How do you approach building trust with your clients, especially considering the importance of establishing strong relationships?

I think I’m very honest. I’ve gotten more honest as the years have gone on because I believe people appreciate honesty right from the start, rather than being given excuses like, “This case doesn’t fit within my calendar,” or “It’s all the insurance company’s fault.” I’m upfront with clients about the challenges of their case and why the value is going to be what it is. I think that honesty earns their trust.

I also believe I’m pretty accessible to people. I give out my cell phone, so they can text or call me. Sometimes, that can become a bit burdensome—especially when people like to call on a Sunday morning—but I think that accessibility helps build trust. Clients know they can reach me when they need me, and I’m more than willing to talk to them.

I also come from a very humble family and background, and I haven’t lost that. I’ve been told that I’m relatable, and I think that resonates with people. They seem to appreciate it, and it ultimately helps build their trust in me.

As a female trial lawyer with experience on both the defense and plaintiff sides, can you share a standout moment that highlights the challenges you've faced in your career?

I think the challenge we face is that society is still trained to automatically trust and listen to an older man's voice. A lot of times, it takes longer for women to earn trust—from colleagues, judges, clients, defense counsel, just everybody. That’s just how society has been built, and it’s always going to be a bit of an uphill climb for us to have our voices heard. It takes persistence. And perseverance. I don’t really have specific examples, but honestly, it feels like it happens almost every day.

I think challenges exist on both sides, but it’s way more difficult in the defense world. The top echelons of corporate companies and insurance companies are still predominantly men, and they’re the ones hiring defense counsel. They connect on the golf course, over beers, or at certain bars or restaurants, and sometimes, as a woman, it’s not as easy to join in on that. There are childcare obligations or other responsibilities that make it harder for us to just pick up and fly to New York for a meeting with the VP of an insurance company. So, I definitely think it’s tougher on the defense side than on the plaintiff’s side.

That said, I think we’re starting to see more and more women becoming successful as personal injury lawyers. Women are naturally compassionate and empathetic. When people have problems—when they’re hurt—they call their mom, their nurse, or their teacher. Most of these roles are filled by women, right? We dominate the helping professions: social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists. I think we’re going to see more women thriving in the plaintiff’s sphere. But even now, it’s still male-dominated. Look at the billboards and commercials—it’s mostly a bunch of older white men.

I do think society is starting to appreciate and respect women in this profession more. That said, it’s still challenging. When you go into a case against a company like Michelin, and it’s you versus 8-10 men in mediation with a male mediator, you have to work harder. You have to say things more strongly, more confidently. You almost have to develop an alter ego, like Beyoncé talks about. She’s naturally shy, but she channels this powerful persona. I think we have to do something similar. Men don’t have to worry about this, but I’ve been in rooms where I’ll say the exact same thing as a man, and people listen to him and not to me. It’s ridiculous.

Who are the mentors or role models that have been pivotal in your career?

We choose our role models, and I’d definitely say Dana is a big one for me. She has broken the glass ceiling and extended the ladder down for people like me to climb up behind her, which is really admirable. She’s a powerful feminist and believer in what women can accomplish if given a seat at the table. I also think of my husband—he’s also a lawyer, actually a defense lawyer—and he has been a great professional mentor for me over the years. He’s been a big cheerleader and support system. In fact, he’s even had to step back in his own career at times to allow mine to flourish, which I think is huge.

My partner here at work, Jimmy, is also a mentor. He’s always extremely positive and believes the best in people, which I admire so much. My partner Kimmy is absolutely a mentor too. She and I solve a lot of problems together and bounce ideas off each other all the time.  She’s always calm and measured and offers sage words of wisdom. 

How do you balance your personal life with the demands of your work, especially in such a challenging industry?

I exercise a lot, play sports, and commit to it. I rarely skip it because it’s cathartic for me. It’s good for me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I play soccer, tennis, go to the gym, lift weights, walk a lot, and run some. I love being outside and playing sports. I’m religious about it—almost like going to church. I keep that schedule sacred because it helps me achieve balance and gives me “me time.”  It clears my head and also provides me with a fun social network.

I’ve also learned to say no to commitments or limit my involvement. I used to be on many boards, but I’ve reduced that because it was too much. Maybe when my kids are older, I’ll get involved again, but for now, I prioritize only my family and my job.

What part of your work are you most passionate about, and what do you find most exciting about being a lawyer?

Representing people, talking to people, getting to know people—I'm a people person. I love people. I love their stories. I love talking to them, helping them, building relationships with them, and solving their problems. I especially love turning an unfortunate situation into something positive for people, which happens a lot in personal injury cases. You meet people at their worst—when they’re downtrodden, injured, and hurt. Then, you go through the process with them, and a year later, their injuries are resolved, they feel better, and you’ve helped secure life-changing money for them. I think it’s such a beautiful process. For me, the clients are the best part of it all.

What advice would you offer to a woman attorney starting her career in this field?

It's all about time management. It really is. Guard yourself, guard your time, and manage it well because that's the trick. And, create time for yourself. Not for your kids, not for your husband, not for your job, but just for yourself. That way, you can keep yourself healthy—mentally and physically.

We’ve touched on the Society of Women Trial Lawyers and its significance, but why are groups like this so meaningful to you, and how have they influenced your work?

The Society is the only conference I’ve attended in 25 years where you don’t feel the need to put on a front. You’re not pressured to be anyone other than your authentic self. You’re celebrated for who you are at your core, and you get to celebrate and encourage other women who are facing similar challenges. It’s such a beautiful group of people, both personally and professionally. We cheer each other on, lift each other up when someone is down, and share advice. You just don’t find that at other conferences, where there’s often competition or people trying to one-up each other. There’s so much pressure at other events, but at the Society of Women Trial Lawyers, there’s none of that.

Plus, we incorporate enjoyable, meaningful activities into the experience. At other conferences, it’s just happy hour and dinner. At ours, it’s so much more. For example, at the last conference, we talked about breathing techniques to manage anxiety before a trial. How do you let go of that tension? You focus on your breathing, right? You don’t hear that at other legal conferences. We also did goat yoga together, which was such a unique, fun experience. It was an opportunity to relax, let loose, and be yourself without judgment.

I’ve also developed friendships with some of the most incredible women I’ve ever met. The environment is intimate and welcoming, making it easy to connect with others. It’s like going to a boutique instead of Walmart—you know what I mean? It’s all about quality. The women who attend are exceptional trial lawyers, but they’re also approachable, well-rounded, and authentic.

It's a really safe environment to share feelings unique to professional women—maybe you're not okay. Maybe we need to talk about what it feels like to be in menopause and how that's impacting your job. Or maybe we need to discuss how it feels to have men tell you that you can't be an equity shareholder and how to fight for it because that's what you want. You know, a guy is just automatically up for equity shareholder because it's expected and they're entitled to it. But women have to fight for it. What does that look like? How do you articulate it? How do you say it comfortably? There's so much that comes up, and it’s just safe. It's safe to talk about.

What career accomplishments are you most proud of, and what goals are you working toward next?

I am most proud of the people I've helped as a plaintiff's lawyer. It’s truly life-changing for every client who achieves a good result. Even for those who don’t, they leave with an understanding of why their case wasn’t successful or the challenges that made it difficult. Helping people along the way gives me a great sense of pride. I genuinely enjoy solving their problems, getting to know them, and, as I mentioned earlier, becoming what I consider a part of their family.

In some of the bigger cases, like those involving a death, you spend years working with the family, grieving with them, and supporting them through such a devastating time. In catastrophic injury cases, where the person survives, it’s incredibly rewarding to secure a multimillion-dollar result that sets them up to enjoy life despite their injuries. Thinking back to my time in college or law school, this is exactly what I dreamed of doing. It’s emotional—these cases are tough, and they make you tear up. But when you reach the end and see the impact, it’s an amazing feeling. Plus, the lifelong friendships that form are so meaningful, both for me and for the clients.

As for future goals, I’d love to become a named partner at my law firm and continue working on big catastrophic cases. I have a particular passion for product liability cases because I enjoy the science behind them. I’d also like to help grow our firm and expand our unique client-centered brand throughout Florida. Many firms here seem focused on money rather than their clients, but we pride ourselves on truly caring and providing a white-glove experience. I want to play an integral role in that growth and help our firm make an even greater impact.

Is there anything about your background or experiences that you’d like to share but I haven’t asked about yet?

 I do want to say how grateful I am for the Society of Women Trial Lawyers. I truly believe it’s the best group I’ve ever been part of, thanks to the incredible women in it—their generosity, genuine care for one another, and willingness to help each of us grow. When the tide rises, all ships rise with it, and I think if we keep supporting each other, we’re unstoppable.

I just wish more women in society did the same across other professions—lifting each other up instead of holding one another back or competing. I wish all women would extend a hand to help others climb the ladder.