Kenneth Trombly | Washington Personal Injury Lawyer

Kenneth Trombly is a civil trial attorney whose practice is limited to catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation in state and federal courts. Licensed in the District of Columbia and in Maryland, he has handled numerous significant cases on behalf of seriously injured persons, from seven figure settlements to noteworthy cases that have resulted in local or national publicity. Mr. Trombly Is nationally recognized as being Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, only one of a dozen District Of Columbia attorneys who have earned this honor - by virtue of his jury trial experience, peer reviews, and passing a written exam administered by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In 2010 he was honored with the Trial Lawyer of the Year award, by the Trial Lawyers Association for the DC Metropolitan Area, an organization. which he also served as President in 1995. For a number of years, Mr. Trombly has also been one of a select group of D.C. catastrophic injury attorneys who are included in both The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward White Publishing Co.) and “Super Lawyers” (Law & Politics magazine). A 1973 graduate of Columbus School of Law of The Catholic University of America, where he was both a staff member of the Law Review and a student coordinator of the school’s legal services clinic, Mr. Trombly earned his undergraduate degree at The George Washington University (B.A., 1970).

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
We recently represented a college student who was riding a bicycle in downtown Washington, DC when he was hit by a dump truck that was going too fast and failed to yield at a crosswalk. Our client suffered a closed head injury and was very lucky to survive. We investigated the case promptly and found eyewitnesses who gave us statements. We closely monitored our client’s medical recovery and assisted him in being seen by one of the top neurologists in the city. When it same time to file suit, the other side knew that we were prepared to try the case and asked to do an early settlement mediation with a retired judge with whom both parties were familiar. The case settled on very favorable terms for the client. It was extremely gratifying to be able to have a positive impact on this young man’s life.

How did you build a successful practice?
By being attentive to my cases, treating my clients with respect and working hard on each case. When I am getting ready for trial, there is nothing else that I am focusing on for weeks, and I think that even when I sleep I am thinking about the case. We bring considerable preparation and passion to our cases, and that is the secret. If you do not really believe in your case and your client, the jury will know that.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Experience and dedication to the practice of law. There are some lawyers who approach personal injury law solely as a business. They have never stepped inside of a courtroom, and their goal is to settle the case as soon as possible, regardless of what is best for the client. A person who has been seriously injured and is looking for an attorney should find out what real jury trial experience the lawyer has. The insurance companies know which lawyers are real trial lawyers and which ones will go for the quick settlement, and it affects results. Also, is the lawyer active in the local or national Bar Associations in a meaningful way, such as, in the case of a trial lawyer, taking an active role in the local trial lawyers association, attending national and local trial lawyer seminars, teaching and mentoring young lawyers? The law, like medicine, is constantly changing, there are new cases and new techniques of which an effective trial lawyer must be aware.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
There are many fine lawyers in the DC area who do what I do. There are also many mediocre ones. It is up to the consumer to determine who has real experience and who is simply good at internet or TV promotion. We are among a limited group of lawyers who actually try serious catastrophic injury cases before local juries. In fact, a good number of our cases are referrals from other attorneys. To further differentiate myself, I am one of only eleven plaintiff trial lawyers based in DC who are Certified as Civil Trial Lawyers by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This Board Certification is based on demonstrated trial experience, references from Judges and former opponents, and a written examination.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Practicing law is a privilege. To be the advocate of a person or a family that has been hit by personal tragedy, and to be able to formulate a solution for them is tremendously rewarding.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
I am very interested in politics, have been a lifelong Democrat, and have assisted campaigns with time and money on a national and local level. In terms of hobbies, I have been a passionate magic enthusiast since I was a kid, starting by putting on magic shows at birthday parties when I was in junior high school, and continuing up through law school, when I helped support myself by performing shows. I have kept up the hobby, and I believe that the skill set of learning how to get up and talk to people in an engaging and personal way, how to present things in an interesting manner, and how to prepare a presentation for maximum impact has carried over to the courtroom for me. Were it not for this public speaking experience, I am not sure that I would have even gone into this area of the law.

Are you involved in your community?
Yes. I am actively involved in Trial Lawyer Association committees that directly impact the community on issues of DC legislation and public safety. I am also on referral panels in which I am asked to assist persons especially in need, such as the Legal services for the Elderly and the National Victims Center. Through my magic hobby, I donate my magic skills, having entertained at charity fundraisers, for senior citizen groups and local Cub Scouts, and I was honored to be among a group of magicians who performed at the “Salute to Heroes” Inaugural Balls for President Obama in 2009 and 2013, events honoring the President and the living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.