Matt Paré Episode Recap
Matt Paré: Building a Successful Injury Law Practice—and a Life of Adventure
Episode Overview
In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, I sit down with Matt Paré, a San Diego personal injury attorney who moved from Maine to California for law school, then built his own practice.
We talk about how he measures success beyond career—especially his family’s travel-first lifestyle (47 countries and counting), plus what he believes actually drives results in personal injury work: discipline, persistence, relationships, and smart use of modern tools like AI.
Summary
Matt’s story starts in a small town in Maine, then moves through Boston and D.C. before landing in San Diego for law school (California Western). He describes an entrepreneurial leap early in his career—getting experience at a firm, building initial clients, and then going solo in a way that avoided “starting from zero.”
Outside the office, Matt’s worldview is shaped by travel—47 countries, often with three kids, and sometimes in places “off the beaten path.” He shares how seeing both sides of complex regions (like Israel/Palestine) and witnessing poverty firsthand (in parts of India) shifted his perspective.
On the legal side, Matt breaks down what it really takes to thrive in personal injury: consistent execution (even when the work is boring), staying persistent with insurance adjusters, building strong medical and expert networks, and understanding the resource side of litigation costs.
He also explains when someone should consider speaking with an injury attorney—especially when there’s medical treatment involved, lack of health insurance, or when timely treatment matters for both recovery and the claim.
Finally, we get into the “new era” tools: Google Maps historical imagery to help establish how long a dangerous condition existed, and AI to uncover crucial public-meeting evidence that would otherwise be buried in massive records—plus the need to verify AI outputs to avoid citation errors.
Key Takeaways
Experiences can be intentionally prioritized over possessions to create a more meaningful life.
Success in personal injury law often comes down to discipline, persistence, and professional relationships.
Seeking treatment quickly after an injury can significantly impact both recovery and legal outcomes.
Technology and AI are becoming powerful investigative tools in modern legal cases.
Maintaining autonomy and manageable overhead can support both professional success and personal freedom.
FAQ
When should someone talk to a personal injury attorney?
If an injury occurs due to someone else’s negligence and medical treatment is needed, it’s usually worth at least having a consultation.
What is a medical lien?
A medical lien allows injured individuals to receive treatment now while providers are paid later from a settlement.
Why is timing important after an accident?
Delays in treatment can weaken a claim and make injuries harder to medically document.
How is AI changing legal work?
AI can dramatically speed up research and help locate critical information hidden within large public records, though attorneys must still verify results.
What major change has occurred in the legal industry recently?
Remote appearances, depositions, and mediations became widely accepted after COVID, increasing efficiency across many cases.
Guest Bio
Matt Paré is a San Diego-based personal injury attorney who built his practice through an entrepreneurial approach after relocating from Maine to attend law school in California. Outside the courtroom, he is an avid traveler who has visited 47 countries, often exploring the world alongside his family while prioritizing experiences and global perspective.
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Full Episode Transcript
Jet Bunditwong: Hi, and welcome to the Personal Side of Business, where every business has a story. Today my guest is Matt Paré. He's a successful injury attorney here in San Diego.
Jet Bunditwong: Matt is not only successful legally, but he is one of the most worldly and traveled persons I know. Welcome to the podcast, Matt.
Matt Paré: Well, thanks, Jet. I appreciate you having me. Thanks for the opportunity.
Jet Bunditwong: Absolutely. So tell us, how did we get here?
Matt Paré: I grew up in Maine in a small town, then went to college in Boston and lived in Washington D.C. for a period before coming out to California in 2005 for law school and for the adventure.
Matt Paré: That was about twenty years ago now. I attended California Western School of Law in San Diego, worked briefly at a law firm, then went out on my own with an entrepreneurial mindset, and things have gone well since then.
Jet Bunditwong: Did you visit California before deciding to move?
Matt Paré: Yes, a few times. Growing up on the East Coast, California had a certain allure and was very different from Maine.
Jet Bunditwong: Maine has great people but very cold winters.
Matt Paré: Extremely cold. It can snow much of the year, but skiing was always part of our family activities.
Jet Bunditwong: You've traveled extensively with your family. How many countries have you visited?
Matt Paré: Forty-seven countries so far. We often travel internationally with our three kids, sometimes to places off the beaten path. I’ve always prioritized experiences over possessions.
Jet Bunditwong: Is exposing your children to the world part of the motivation?
Matt Paré: Absolutely. Travel allows them to see different cultures, perspectives, and realities, which helps them appreciate both what we have and what exists globally.
Jet Bunditwong: What travel experiences were most transformative?
Matt Paré: Visiting Israel and Palestine before recent conflicts gave perspective on both sides, and seeing poverty firsthand in parts of India was incredibly eye-opening.
Jet Bunditwong: Switching to business — what makes a successful injury attorney?
Matt Paré: Discipline, persistence, and relationships. You need to consistently do the work, stay persistent with insurance companies, and maintain strong relationships with doctors and expert witnesses. Litigation also requires financial resources because attorneys often advance case costs.
Jet Bunditwong: How did you transition into running your own firm?
Matt Paré: I gained experience at a firm first and developed clients before starting my own practice, so I wasn’t beginning completely from scratch.
Jet Bunditwong: When should someone contact a personal injury attorney?
Matt Paré: If someone is injured due to another party’s negligence and needs treatment, they should at least consult an attorney. Timing matters because gaps in treatment can negatively affect a claim.
Matt Paré: Attorneys can also help individuals access treatment through medical liens if they don’t have health insurance.
Jet Bunditwong: How has technology impacted legal work?
Matt Paré: Tools like historical Google Maps imagery and AI-assisted research help uncover evidence much faster than before, although attorneys still must verify everything carefully.
Jet Bunditwong: What major industry changes have you seen recently?
Matt Paré: After COVID, remote hearings, mediations, and depositions through Zoom became common, improving efficiency while reducing travel time.
Jet Bunditwong: What goals are you focused on moving forward?
Matt Paré: Each year I set goals related to relationships, finances, health, and personal growth, and revisit them annually to stay aligned.