This year, Henry Carus celebrated officially having 40 years of practice under his belt
For Henry Carus, connecting with clients is his favourite part of being a lawyer. The personal injury law specialist began with an interest in politics, but shifted to law in order to be able to better help others.
Carus worked in New York as a trial lawyer before meeting his wife and making the move to Australia. He launched Henry Carus + Associates in 2001, and this year celebrated a remarkable milestone – 40 years in legal practice.
In this interview, Carus talks about the friends he’s made out of his clients, the most memorable matter he worked on over the course of his illustrious career, and why he chose to concentrate on personal injury.
What made you choose a career in law, and what's your favourite part of the job?
I was drawn to the social justice aspects of the law and the personal connections with clients.
In 40 years of practice, what’s been the most memorable matter you’ve ever worked on?
The most memorable matter was the defence of an Australian equestrian helmet manufacturer sued in California on a products defect claim when a woman suffered an acquired brain injury which left her a paraplegic after a fall from a horse. The claim combined my knowledge of Australian insurance law with US personal injury law, and at the same time provided me with an in-depth knowledge of how the product went from a “vision” to manufacture to international sale.
It was also extremely personally rewarding when a “no liability” verdict was achieved in California for the company and its founder, who became a friend over the course of the defence of the matter.
Why did you choose to focus on personal injury law?
In New York City, I had the chance to practice personal injury law at an early point in my career for both those injured and for insurance companies, at the same time with the one firm. The practice gave me a tremendous insight into the mindset of both, and allowed me to see how a fair settlement of claims could dramatically affect the quality of life for those injured.
What has been your proudest accomplishment in the last 40 years?
Taking over a public liability matter from another firm where the client had been recommended to accept a $40,000 offer. Working on the matter with the client to achieve, the day before the trial, a settlement of $400,000. In doing so, my senior barrister was astonished with the outcome for a public liability matter, and the client became a lifelong friend.
What’s the biggest lesson you learned and what advice can you give fellow lawyers about it?
“See” a path to success using your knowledge of the law and your intuition and be unending in your determination to succeed.
What should the profession focus more on?
Giving lawyers more exposure to advocacy skills, in conferences and mediation and in appearances in court.
What are the challenges you expect in your practice, and in the business of law in general, going forward? What challenges are particularly pressing in the country’s legal industry?
The overall economy affecting the ability of injured persons to gain fair compensation for injuries suffered.
What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
Watching our lawyers continue to grow, and thereby provide even higher levels of quality legal services to our clients.
