Marks & Harrison is committed to hiring talented attorneys to join our legal team and meet the growing demand for our legal services. One of the newest members of our team is Robin M. Nagel, a personal injury attorney.
Before joining the firm, Robin served as an Assistant Attorney General at the Virginia Office of the Attorney General. She worked in the Criminal Appeals Section of the Office of Attorney General, primarily handling cases before the Virginia Court of Appeals, and gained valuable courtroom experience. Robin received a bachelor of arts from Seton Hall University in New Jersey and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Richmond School of Law in the top 25 percent of her class.
At Marks & Harrison, we are committed to providing compassionate and personalized legal service to each client we represent. Our focus on personalized representation includes getting to know our attorneys. We are pleased to have Robin as a member of our team. We asked her to answer some questions about her background and perspective on helping people with personal injury claims. We welcome you to contact us if you have questions about a personal injury matter.
What made you want to be a lawyer?
While in college, I found that I enjoyed being an advocate—for a cause, for myself, and for others. I began exploring possible career paths, and law seemed like an area where my skills would be put to use and where I could thrive. I completed a pre-law career development course that introduced me to various practice areas and attorneys in New Jersey. It just seemed like law was the right career path for me to explore. Now, being in practice, I can confidently say that this was the right path for me.
What is the most meaningful part of your work as a personal injury lawyer?
Being able to help people after they’ve been injured. Having them trust me to handle their case.
What are the most essential traits of a good personal injury lawyer?
I can’t overstate the importance of empathy in personal injury work. Being able to listen and be kind but also honest. And a little bit of tenacity to get our clients what they deserve.
Prior to law school, you studied English, criminal justice, philosophy, and sociology. How does this background influence your perspective as a personal injury attorney?
When I was in these courses in college, I really enjoyed learning about and studying how the various systems in life work together. I liked asking hard questions to work through tough problems. One of my criminal justice classes actually had us put on a mock trial. And the combination of the four areas of study helped me to change my perspective and to see life from other perspectives, and understand how different circumstances can affect everyone. I think the variety of viewpoints helped me learn how to think outside the box and also to be a more empathetic person. That can only be helpful in the personal injury arena.
How does your experience clerking at the Fairfax County Circuit Court influence your work today?
Clerking in Fairfax gave me an amazing view of the litigation aspect of my current work, from the filing of a complaint and motions, to discovery and trial. I saw all types of attorneys that I was able to learn from, and I learned so much from the judges presiding over motions and trials. I’m now incredibly familiar with the Fairfax system, rules, and courthouse, and would feel right at home trying a case in that courthouse.
How does your work at the Virginia Office of the Attorney General influence your work today?
Working at the Office of the Attorney General helped me to hone my skills in handling a high caseload and handling complex cases with thousands of pages of records. I also sharpened my skills as an advocate, arguing cases primarily in the Court of Appeals of Virginia. My work there has prepared me, should any of my cases need it, to successfully handle a case in the appellate courts in Virginia.
When you are not working on helping your clients, what do you do for fun?
When I’m not at work, you can probably find me spending time with my rescued hound dog named Hamilton—whether that’s hanging out on the couch watching tv, exploring trails by the James River, or hiking in the state parks. I also enjoy exploring Richmond’s amazing collection of breweries/distilleries and restaurants with my friends and family. Over the next several months, I’ll also be training hopefully to run the New York City marathon this fall.
Why pick Marks & Harrison?
Marks & Harrison has an amazing team of attorneys and paralegals that are here to assist in the various aspects of your claim. Our attorneys have a wide variety of experiences and will give you our best every day. Our firm has grown and thrived while representing injured clients for more than a hundred years, and we aim to continue that legacy every day.
