Compassion and Preparation: Lillian Ahmadi’s Summer in Medical Malpractice Litigation
For Saint Louis University School of Law student Lillian Ahmadi, a summer at Hodes Milman in California offered a firsthand look at how skilled legal advocacy can make a meaningful difference for clients facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Working with a firm focused on medical malpractice and personal injury litigation, Ahmadi assisted with legal research, medical record review, writing, and case preparation. Through that work, the SLU law student saw not only the complexity of these cases, but also the human impact of thoughtful and compassionate representation.
"One of the things that made me feel most proud this summer was seeing the difference the attorneys I worked with at Hodes Milman were able to make in people's lives," Ahmadi said.
In medical malpractice and personal injury matters, clients are often coping with serious injuries or the loss of a loved one. Seeing attorneys help families navigate those circumstances reinforced for Ahmadi that effective advocacy involves more than legal knowledge alone.
"I was also impacted by how kind and compassionate the attorneys were with clients who were going through incredibly difficult situations," she said. "Seeing the way they treated people who needed help showed me how important it is for attorneys to not only advocate for their clients, but also to be someone clients can trust during some of the hardest moments of their lives."
The experience also highlighted the enormous amount of work that goes into representing clients effectively. What might appear straightforward from the outside often requires extensive preparation behind the scenes.
"What surprised me most was how much detail and effort goes into developing a medical malpractice case," Ahmadi said.
Reviewing extensive medical records and piecing together complicated timelines taught her the value of patience and attention to detail. She quickly learned that details that seem insignificant at first can become critically important when viewed in the broader context of a patient's care.
"The experience showed me how much preparation happens behind the scenes and how important it is to carefully work through every piece of information rather than assume that the most important facts will immediately stand out," she said.
Beyond the legal work itself, Ahmadi benefited from a summer focused on learning and mentorship. Her supervising attorney invited her to observe mediations, sit in on client meetings, learn about arbitration, and gain exposure to different stages of litigation.
"What made those experiences even more meaningful was that he genuinely cared about teaching me," she said. "He took the time to explain what was happening, why certain decisions were being made, and how different parts of the litigation process fit together."
That commitment to helping others, Ahmadi said, extended throughout the office.
"Everyone I worked with at Hodes Milman was incredibly supportive and willing to help one another," Ahmadi said. "It showed me how important the people you work with are and how much a collaborative, caring environment can affect both the quality of the work and the experience of the clients being served."
For Ahmadi, whose family has strong ties to healthcare, the experience reaffirmed her desire to work at the intersection of medicine and law. Just as importantly, it helped shape the kind of attorney she hopes to become.
"This experience has helped me better understand how to become an attorney who is thoughtful, prepared, and committed to advocating effectively for my clients," she said. "Just as importantly, I want to approach that work with compassion, professionalism, and an understanding of the impact these matters can have on those involved."