Inside the Mind of Mitchel Ashley, New York’s Reluctant but Relentless Personal Injury Attorney

In New York City, the law can feel like a blood sport. Courtrooms turn into arenas, reputations are built and broken in the space of a verdict, and lawyers jostle for recognition in a city that never forgives mediocrity. Mitchel Ashley has carved his place not through bombast or spectacle but through something far rarer: integrity. From carrying the Olympic torch through Manhattan to building his own firm in 2009, Ashley has consistently chosen the harder road, the one that demands patience, dignity and respect for the people he serves.

In this interview, Ashley opens up about the unexpected turn that led him away from finance and into personal injury law, the realities of founding a firm in one of the toughest cities in the world, and the values that drive him to fight for every client as though it were their only chance at justice. He also reflects on the changing legal landscape, the role of his podcast in showing the human side of law, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.

This is a lawyer who sees every case as personal. For Ashley, justice is not a transaction but a promise, and one he refuses to break.

You come from a long line of attorneys with your grandfather, father, uncle, cousin and even your sister all choosing the law. Growing up in that environment, did you ever imagine a different path for yourself or was the courtroom always inevitable?

I actually did not plan to be an attorney.  In Law School my best classes were finance related.  I had wanted to go into finance or into a business.   But , as you may know, during your second year of law school you usually work for a firm as a summer associate.  I went to work for a prominent personal injury firm. They had just started working on a case against NYC for 13 families whose children had developed leukemia because they lived near a previously undisclosed toxic waste site.  I thought that was what lawyers should do. Fight for the little guy.   It’s what made me change my mind about going into finance and instead I went to work for that firm after law school. 

Founding The Ashley Law Firm in 2009 was a bold move in one of the most competitive legal cities in the world. What do you remember about those early days when it was just your name above the door?

Our first day as The Ashley Law Firm was July 1, 2009.  The thing I remember most is that every time I settled a case, I would say “okay, now we can stay open until September”. In the next case I said “okay, now we can make it to November”.   And so on.  Eventually, I was able to forget that system and know I could stay open for the next year.  

Being named a Super Lawyer year after year is a recognition of both skill and consistency. How do you keep that standard so high when managing so many cases across such varied areas of personal injury law?

I think the key is to realize that each case is someone’s only chance to get a recovery for their injuries.   I have represented many people who were hit in the rear while in their own cars. But each case still has some unique characteristics with regard to liability and each person's injuries are different.  I’m a big Yankee fan,  I always think of the famous quote by Joe DiMaggio when asked about why he plays so hard.  He said : "Because there's always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time. I owe him my best".  Every client is different. Every client is hurt. I owe them my best. 

You carried the Olympic torch through New York City in 2002 as a representative of dedication and integrity. How has that moment shaped the way you carry yourself inside and outside the courtroom?

That was a thrill unlike anything else. I’ve always been a fan of the Olympics.  It was thrilling to be a part of it, in some small way.    I think how I carried myself in the courtroom before that, is the reason people sponsored  me for that honor.  I have always believed in being truthful and fighting as hard as you can for your client but also respecting the institution of the court system and the rules governing lawsuits.  

Personal injury cases often involve people at their most vulnerable. What does compassion look like in practice when you are fighting for justice on behalf of a client?

The best thing I can do for clients many times is listen to them. Hear their problems and struggles as a result of their injuries and figure out the way to convey that message to insurance adjusters and juries.  

New York has its own rhythm, fast, unforgiving and full of drama. How does practising law in this city influence your approach compared with attorneys elsewhere in the United States?

I only practice in New York.  It is hard for me to compare to other jurisdictions as I only know anecdotal examples I have heard from other lawyers. I do think that compared to some other jurisdictions New York City is a little more intense in every aspect of the practice then some other places.  By that I mean there is more motion practice over discovery issues,  more issues are fought about at depositions and more cases go to trial then settle. 

Your podcast Law, Life, and NYC gives listeners a rare glimpse into the world behind the headlines. What inspired you to take the profession into a more public and conversational space?

Small law firms are being drowned out by large advertisers.  I cannot compete with those firms on traditional forms of advertising like television or radio. I wanted people to be able to see the actual person who would be handling their case. I often say if you call a firm that advertises a lot and ask for that named person, you aren’t going to get them. But if you call my firm and ask for Mitchel Ashley, you get me.   I wanted people to get to know me. 

Looking to the future, what legacy do you want The Ashley Law Firm and Mitchel Ashley himself to leave behind in the legal world of New York?

Answer:  I’d like to think that I am known as a good person,  and a good lawyer.  A person who treats every client like their case is the most important one.  

Mitchel Ashley’s career is defined not by chance but by choice. The choice to listen when it would be easier to speak. The choice to represent individuals rather than corporations. The choice to build a firm that measures success not in advertising spend but in lives changed. In a city that thrives on speed and spectacle, he is a reminder that true power lies in consistency, compassion and character.