Chris Blackburn, a seasoned trial lawyer at Blackburn Romey in Fort Wayne, Indiana, shares his journey from finance and farming back to trial law, led by a simple question when working with clients: “Do they need help?”
That guiding mindset shaped a practice rooted in humility, teamwork, and purpose. Returning to the family firm meant reconnecting with childhood memories — riding along on home visits with his dad, working with his siblings, and serving clients from all walks of life.
His experience as a semi-truck driver lends real-world perspective to trucking cases, while his courtroom approach keeps trials fast , focused, and jury-friendly (inspired by Joe Fried, "Celebrating Justice" Ep. 33).
Drawing parallels between farming and trial work, he talks about investing in people, planting seeds, and trusting the process. In his “Closing Argument,” he reflects on a firm-wide culture shift driven by self-analysis, resulting in core values like integrity, collaboration, and adaptability. For him, real advocacy means knowing who you are — and being unafraid to go to trial.
Key Takeaways
- Purpose over profit: any case worth taking is one where someone needs help.
- Family roots and teamwork form the bedrock of a values-first legal culture.
- Real‑world experience — like trucking knowledge — can sharpen trial edge.
- Firm culture matters: humility, vulnerability, integrity, accountability, and innovation define true advocacy.
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