Most attorneys will tell you that practicing law isn’t like what you see on TV. But for Derrick Wright figuring out the who, what, and why of a case is as much of a thrill as when those TV lawyers do it. Although it can be tedious and even stressful, identifying the issues and chasing down the evidence is usually the key.

Derrick’s practice focuses on employment and personnel issues, including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. He also works with local governments and officials on claims involving constitutional law. He has more than 12 years of experience successfully defending public and private employers in many types of lawsuits, as well as keeping them up to date on changes in the law and helping them keep their policies current.

“Along the way, I have seen that no one can do it all. I always want to utilize myself and the people I work with in a way that’s going to take advantage of everybody’s strengths. I’m always going to bring in the right people to get the best result possible.” — Derrick Wright

When choosing his career, Derrick didn’t start out thinking he’d become a lawyer. He wanted to find a career that was a natural fit for his skills, and where he could meet the challenge of helping people solve problems. “I went into the law because I feel like I’m good at solving the types of problems that are presented in the legal area.

“I discovered I had knack for analyzing rules and information to put it all together and figure out the issue. It starts with understanding the problem and then identifying the rules that apply. From there it is a matter of finding the evidence to prove it. Everyone has their own version of what happened, so it’s vital to know all the details of the case. The details usually signal whose version of events is most credible.”

Derrick’s clients look to his record of success, and trust him to take care of their needs. “It’s great when you’ve worked enough with a client that they know they can rely on your analysis. There are usually multiple options, so I lay those out for them and we discuss what will work best, and adjust based on their needs. I feel fortunate that they can rely on my best judgement on options for dealing with their legal issues. You’re not going to get very far if clients don’t trust what you’re doing. When you earn that trust, everything else falls into place.”

Earning trust also extends to Derrick’s work with his team at Sturgill Turner. As he’s advanced to become lead attorney on cases, he’s found that putting together a great team is the best way to succeed. “Along the way, I have seen that no one can do it all. My philosophy is that you put together a team, and you put people in a position to do what they’re best at, whether it’s fellow attorneys, paralegals, assistants and others.

“I always want to utilize myself and the people I work with in a way that’s going to take advantage of everybody’s strengths. Ideally, that’s how our clients operate – they want to be as efficient and get the most out of their business, and that’s exactly how I try to run my work for clients. I’m always going to bring in the right people to get the best result possible.”

Questions about employment or municipal law? Derrick is a leading expert in the field with extensive experience in this area, and is happy to help. Contact him at 859.255.8581, or dwright@sturgillturner.com.