In this interview, we have the privilege of speaking with Will Gosney, a Personal Injury Attorney at Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law. You can explore their online presence at https://yllagosney.com/ and delve into Will’s profile specifically at https://yllagosney.com/william-gosney/.Our conversation covers Will’s journey into the legal profession, his attraction to personal injury law, and the experiences that shaped his career. From the moment he decided to pursue law during his college years, recognizing his strength in problem-solving with words, to his immersion in personal injury law under the mentorship of Jeremy West, Will’s story is both insightful and compelling. Here’s the exclusive candid conversation:
When did you decide to become an attorney?
I decided I wanted to go to law school sometime right at the end of my sophomore year of college. I always loved being a creative problem solver, but, like a lot of people who later become lawyers, I had to first realize I was a lot better at solving problems with words than I was with numbers. I changed my major away from science, set my sights on law school, and never looked back.
What drew you to personal injury law?
After my first year of law school, I really wanted to get an internship in the legal field that would give me some real experience. As I was looking, a friend of mine referred me to a solo practitioner, Jeremy West, who had started his own personal injury law firm a few months prior and was at the stage he needed a little help around the office. Jeremy became my mentor and I stayed on with him through law school, became an associate with him after graduating, and finally a junior partner. Practicing with Jeremy was enjoyable, rewarding, and I learned a tremendous amount right away. When Jeremy passed away unexpectedly in 2018, Robert Ylla and I continued the firm on with the foundation Jeremy had set.
You went to University of Oklahoma. How is the law school and are you a Sooners fan?
As they say in Oklahoma, “I’m Sooner born and Sooner bred. When I die, I’ll be Sooner dead!” I’m a third generation Sooner sports fanatic, but the first in my family to graduate from the University of Oklahoma. When I was in law school, the university had completed quite a lot of improvements. Since I’ve been gone, they have continued to work hard to make it even better. I am proud to say I am an alum of OU.
What is your favorite hobby (how’d you get into flying)?
One passion that I have is general aviation. My mentor in Law, Jeremy West, had decided to take flying lessons. When I saw him doing that, I investigated it for myself. Learning to fly and getting a pilot’s licenses is much more accessible than most people might realize, so I went for it. Flying for me is very peaceful; I love to look out over the world and take in the grandeur of nature from a few thousand feet in the air. It also gives my family unique opportunities to travel to some places that are otherwise a little more difficult to get to.
Any advice for aspiring attorneys?
It seems like a lot of lawyers become disenfranchised with the practice of law. I had a moment like that in my career, but I was able to push through by focusing on being true to myself. I would recommend aspiring lawyers put that practice in place for themselves as early as possible. Don’t be afraid to work hard, and don’t be afraid to get what you want out of your career. Know your goals, know your strengths and weaknesses. One of the unique things about a law degree is that you can do so much with it; look for opportunities and, when they arise, take advantage of them the best you can.
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