A high school class approaches graduation.
Their future is wide open. And that's precisely why the military came to speak to them.
The Air Force Recruiter steps on stage and gives a stunning PowerPoint presentation with the benefits of being a part of the Air Force and why you should join the Air Force. Terrific presentation.
The Army Recruiter stood up, of course disagreed, and went on to share a beautiful PowerPoint presentation about why the Army was so great. Excellent speech.
The Naval Recruiter stands up, of course disagrees again, and shares their powerful PowerPoint presentation about the benefits of joining the Navy and that this is the best branch to join. Amazing pitch.
And then the Marine Corps. Recruiter stands up. No PowerPoint. No presentation. He looks out among the room of kids and says, "I don't think there is anyone here good enough to join the Marines. You have to understand the Marine Corps. is the most difficult thing you will ever do physical and emotionally. And there's not one person here strong enough to join my Marine Corps. If you think I'm wrong, I'll be at the back of the room."
Well, we want the attorneys who will come see us at the back of the room. We want the trial lawyers who understand the late nights and consistent, extra pushes every day give them an edge on opposing counsels. We want the unique individuals who fight for something bigger than themselves because that is precisely how someone can tap into a sustainable source of energy that most people only admire from afar.
And we are fortunate enough to have found that in Jamal Roberts.
Q: Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for 2026. What's that feel like?
Jamal Roberts: Honestly, it’s surreal. When you’re in the day-to-day, meetings with clients, preparing for hearing, depositions, and mediations, you’re not focused on recognition; you’re really just focused on getting the best results for your client, making an impact and perfecting your craft. Being listed among Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch means the commitment, the late nights, and all the effort was worth it. It’s a reminder that hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Q: You also were recently invited to join the National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 for 2025. What does that mean to you?
JR: That one hits a little deeper for me. Being part of a network of accomplished Black attorneys across the country means a lot. It means that the work I do, the values I uphold, and the impact I strive to make are seen and appreciated within a community that I deeply respect and am proud to represent. It also means that young individuals (students, athletes, etc.) who look like me can see that this space is theirs too.
Q: How did you get started in law and what keeps you passionate about it?
JR: I got started because I saw how often people around me were hurt; emotionally, physically, and financially, and didn’t have a voice strong enough to fight back. What keeps my passion alive is seeing real change: that moment when a client finally gets the outcome they deserve, or when justice is served - whether it’s defending someone whose rights were on the line in a criminal case or holding a company accountable in a civil one. That feeling never gets old. It’s purpose-driven work every single day.
Q: What are the types of cases that you find most intriguing and why?
JR: Medical negligence and complex injury cases always pull me in. They’re a blend of law, science, and storytelling. You’re applying the law, dissecting medical terms one minute, and humanizing them the next so a jury truly understands what happened. It’s an art that most attorneys strive to perfect day in and day out.
Q: Have you found any ties between being a former Division 1 athlete and working as a trial lawyer in an extremely competitive area of practice?
JR: Absolutely. Competing at the D1 level was a grind. That experience taught me grit, discipline, and composure. The preparation before a trial feels a lot like a game week: you study and try to understand your opponent all while perfecting your own strategy to execute. And just like in sports, there are wins and losses.
Q: What are three things you've learned from life that better helps you with cases and clients?
JR: Patience – As a young attorney, that’s something I had to grow into. You’re not going to get every detail right away, and every case unfolds differently. Patience allows you to recognize opportunities others might rush past and keeps you grounded when things don’t move as quickly as you’d like.
Persistence – Staying consistent and treating every case and client with the same level of respect and commitment, no matter who or what it is, separates good lawyers from great ones.
Humility – The law has a way of reminding you that you don’t know everything, no matter how long you’ve been practicing. Staying humble keeps you open to learning, to feedback, and to different perspectives.
Q: Where are we seeing Jamal Roberts in 10 years?
JR: I’ve been fortunate to have some great mentors in my life. I’ve learned a lot and plan on learning a lot more. Ten years from now, which will still be early in my career, I see myself trying more cases and continuing to raise the standard of what it means to advocate for people who need it most. I also want to serve as a mentor and coach for individuals who share similar backgrounds or experiences as me. I believe in the power of representation and understand how impactful it can be to have someone who truly understands your journey.
Medical Malpractice and Complex Personal Injury lawyers are a dime a dozen. It’s true. But attorneys like Jamal Roberts are far more rare.
Being the best at anything requires the kind of ferocious grit, dogged determination and a level of sacrifice most people dare not approach. And for reasonable reason. It can be dangerous and upend one’s life. Or it can bring out all the potential inside someone to produce the kind of change written in history books.
The competition in the legal industry is so heavy that it tends to breed a certain type of person. And with the stakes set as high as they can go, someone’s life and livelihood on the line, it makes perfect sense. We all want the best representation we can find when it comes to our case. At MANEY | GORDON Trial Lawyers, we focus on being the best.
And Jamal Roberts aligns with exactly that.
