We drive down the hill to watch the sunset from the beach. Phuong has come for a visit.

We first met in the hospital She had just turned 18. Barely escaped death. During the Ride the Duck crash of September 2015. After the duck lost its axle and crossed the center line. Ramming into and through the tour bus full of international students. If Phuong had been sitting one seat back she would not be here today.

She was the first person I represented from that crash. And remained the lead plaintiff as 54 more plaintiffs joined her lawsuit.

It’s hard to imagine how awful those years were for her. The excitement of going to college in beautiful Seattle. Being with other students most of whom spoke English as a second language. In a flash almost dying. Living in pain. Surgery after surgery. Postponing college. Surgery after surgery.

And then. To top everything off. Standing up for herself. And refusing to take a settlement that was not enough despite pressure of others (not her legal team but others) to not go to court. And going to court. And testifying when still not quite 21. And turning down the continued settlement offers presented by the AIG vice president who attended that trial. Certain that a jury would agree that she deserved way more. And being right.

Phuong is visiting me for the weekend. Exactly that same brave young person I first met when she was almost 9 years ago now. What a joy it is to see her. How impressive she is.

Phuong will forever be marked but never solely defined by what happened to her and her classmates on that doomed bus on that horrible bridge on that awful day. Her spirit remains bright. She is following her path.

She makes me so proud to be a trial lawyer.

Photo: Phuong and the beach by me.