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Today is the final episode of a five-part series examining failures that turned into success for Clarke over the course of his life. Our fifth unexpected blessing comes from the collapse of the housing industry and the financial crisis that followed. Hosted by Carson Grace Toomer, Clarke reflects back on his real estate investing and how his perspective on life changed completely after losing his home and other properties.

Clarke recounts the pivotal moments that led to his financial downfall, including his ventures into real estate. Initially inspired by successful mentors, he began investing in properties with the hope of securing financial stability for his family. However, as the market shifted, he found himself heavily invested in a collapsing housing market, leading to a series of unfortunate events that would challenge his identity and values.

This journey makes it clear that true fulfillment comes from personal connections, family values, and the ability to help others. This experience ultimately lead Clarke to focus on personal injury law, where he can apply his skills to assist those in need.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Background on this failure

4:57 – Buying a beach house

7:13 – A bad sign

10:41 – Market collapse

13:43 – Moving forward

17:58 – Finding gratitude

20:08 – Life after collapse

30:16 – Mental steps to recovery

34:34 – Lessons learned

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

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Today is part four of a series on the five failures from success that Clarke has experienced over the course of his life and our fourth unexpected blessing comes from the negative relationship his father had with alcohol growing up. Hosted by Carson Grace Toomer, Clarke reflects back on the struggles his father dealt with and how that impacted his childhood. What seemed like a failure when he was young turned out to be a blessing because it helped him go down that same path with alcohol and tobacco.

As a trial lawyer with years of experience, Clark discusses the challenges he faced in the courtroom, the pressures of high-stakes cases, and the importance of mentorship in his professional development.

Clark's journey is not just about legal victories; it's also about personal growth and the lessons learned from failure. He candidly shares his struggles with alcohol and stress management, revealing how these issues impacted his relationships with his family and his ability to perform at work. His decision to quit drinking and smoking opened the door to a healthier lifestyle, allowing him to build stronger connections with his wife and children.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Stories from Clarke’s early law days

8:08 – What drove him to stop drinking & smoking

20:59 – Life after he’s stopped

22:49 – The relationship with his father

28:31 – Other ways to cope with stress

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

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Today is part three of a series on the five failures from success that Clarke has experienced over the course of his life and our third unexpected blessing comes from an academic failure that unfolded over time. Hosted by Carson Grace Toomer, Clarke reflects back on his academic struggles during college. Unlike his brother, who attended a prestigious university and faced financial hardships, Clarke opted for a smaller school where he felt he could thrive without the burden of financial stress. However, this decision came with its own challenges.

Clark’s path took another unexpected turn when he faced rejection from law school. This moment of despair could have easily derailed his dreams, but instead, it ignited a fire within him and eventually led to greater opportunities.

This series is all about resilience and the mindset needed to navigate life’s challenges. We’ll share powerful insights about the value of mentorship and how one person’s belief in you can change everything. We hope this story serves as a reminder that failure is not the end; rather, it is often the beginning of a new chapter filled with possibilities.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Clarke’s college story

5:05 – Joining a fraternity

9:54 – Kicked out of school

14:24 – Decision to pursue law school

20:52 – Rejected from law school

29:05 – Lesson learned

38:15 – Life’s unexpected plan

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

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Today is part two of a series on the five failures from success that Clarke has experienced over the course of his life. Hosted by Carson Grace Toomer, we’ll take you through a series of life events that initially seemed like setbacks but later revealed themselves to be pivotal moments of growth and success. This series will help us better understand the transformative power of perceived failures.

In this video, Clarke shares his personal journey from being a "chunky kid" to a confident individual, emphasizing how challenges in his youth shaped his self-esteem and life choices. Through engaging anecdotes, he reveals how sports and fitness became pivotal in overcoming obstacles, ultimately leading to professional success. Tune in to discover how setbacks can serve as platforms for growth and resilience.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:25 – Growing up a fat kid

1:59 – Stories from childhood

6:18 – Low self-esteem

9:25 – Gaining confidence through sports

19:35 – Applying those lessons today

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

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Welcome to the first episode of The Verdict with Clarke Speaks. We’re kicking of a series on the five failures from success that Clarke has experienced over the course of his life. Hosted by Carson Grace Toomer, we’ll take you through a series of life events that initially seemed like setbacks but later revealed themselves to be pivotal moments of growth and success.

In this video, Clarke shares his personal journey, opening up about these key moments that look completely different in retrospect. Through the lens of a powerful Chinese farmer parable, he discusses the importance of perspective, resilience, and the unexpected blessings that arise from adversity. Tune in to hear how Clarke's early life challenges shaped his independence, confidence, and the invaluable relationships he cultivated along the way.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:27 – The story of the Chinese farmer

3:03 – How Clarke’s childhood shaped his outlook on life

14:03 – What Clarke learned from his childhood experiences

19:52 – The connection Clarke had with his football coach

22:24 – How did Clarke’s outlook on life shift?

25:51 – Finding motivation to succeed

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

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This is part two of our discussion with Audra Dunlap, Pre-Litigation Managing Attorney at Speaks Law Firm, to give you a closer look into the process our team works through before litigation. This is a crucial period following a catastrophic injury and this discussion will give you a better understanding of what goes into pre-litigation.

As we move through the different stages of the process, this video will focus on intake and investigation. It’s a critical time for any catastrophic injury case and Audra will provide more detail on what happens during this time. Discover insights into the urgency of intake and investigation, the strategies employed by insurance companies, and the significance of preserving evidence through spoliation letters.

Over the course of this multipart conversation, we will provide a comprehensive look into the legal processes that ensure clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

1:21 – Future medical care costs

3:23 – Intake & Investigation

6:58 – How quickly insurance companies get to work

9:53 – Spoilation letters

10:55 – Our investigative process

Meet Audra: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/audra-m-dunlap/

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

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Today we’re joined by Audra Dunlap, Pre-Litigation Managing Attorney at Speaks Law Firm, to get a closer look into the process our team works through before litigation. This is a crucial period following a catastrophic injury and this discussion will give you a better understanding of what goes into pre-litigation.

Join us to learn about the different stages, the factors that determine a case's value, and the timeline for resolving typical and catastrophic cases. Audra will explain the roles of economists and life care planners in assessing damages and how future medical expenses and lost wages are calculated.

Over the course of this multipart conversation, we will provide a comprehensive look into the legal processes that ensure clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:20 – What is litigation?

0:58 – What happens in pre-litigation?

2:01 – Differences in claim value

3:38 – Timelines for normal cases

7:14 – Resolving claim after treatment

8:55 – Catastrophic claims

12:04 – Experts used in catastrophic cases

About our guest: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/audra-m-dunlap/

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

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Calculating financial losses in catastrophic injury cases can be difficult, especially when somebody doesn’t hasn’t kept detailed records. In the complex world of personal injury law, understanding the full scope of losses experienced by those who are catastrophically injured is crucial.

Failing to be truthful can create problems during a personal injury case, especially when you’re working with a forensic economist like Dr. Craig Galbraith. He’s back with us again for another chapter of our conversation and determining true value in these cases.

Today we’ll explore the various financial losses experienced by those who are catastrophically injured, including past and future income loss, household services, and medical care with the discussion extends to non-economic losses such as pain, suffering, and the hedonic loss of life's enjoyment. Dr. Galbraith shares his expertise on the role of forensic economists and the challenges faced in quantifying these losses.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

0:00 – Intro

0:20 – Other financial losses for people who are catastrophically injured.

3:45 – What is done with the analysis offered by Dr. Galbraith?

6:57 – Understanding the role of insurance companies.

8:24 – Mistakes that negatively impact the ability to quantify financial losses.

11:14 – The importance of being truthful.

Learn more about how Speaks Law Firm can help you: https://www.speakslaw.com/

Schedule your FREE case review: https://www.speakslaw.com/our-team/r-clarke-speaks/#contactFormTarget

Find us on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3R40YMP