"A Passion for Justice: Fejir Uğurlu's Fight for Accident Victims"

January 21, 2025
Written by Admin TOA
Published in Women

Fejir Uğurlu, one of New York's emerging Turkish-American attorneys, has built a reputation for advocating passionately on behalf of accident victims, particularly within the Turkish community. Uğurlu's path to the U.S. legal scene is anything but conventional, involving international education, high-stakes cases, and a deeply personal motivation rooted in family tragedy. Uğurlu began her legal journey at Maltepe University in Türkiye, where a scholarship opportunity allowed her to continue her studies in Germany. This was followed by a stint in London, where she gained practical experience before taking on leadership roles, such as serving as Vice President of the European Law Students' Association (ELSA) in Türkiye. She was selected to participate in a prestigious delegation to the United Nations, representing one of only five individuals worldwide, further honing her legal acumen at the UN's Permanent Mission of Türkiye.

After three years practicing law in Türkiye, specializing in energy and pharmaceutical law, Uğurlu decided to broaden her horizons. She relocated to New York, where she earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Brooklyn Law School. After passing the New York Bar Exam, Uğurlu embarked on a legal career in the U.S., and for the past seven years, she has been practicing law in New York.

Today, she is a prominent figure at Meirowitz & Wasserberg Mesothelioma & Accident Injury Lawyers, a law firm with a team of 100 professionals, including 40 attorneys, operating across six states. The firm is well-regarded for its focus on personal injury and asbestos-related cancer litigation, with a record that includes a $50 million ongoing case in Boston involving asbestos-related cancer. Uğurlu's commitment to her clients is personal: her own mother suffered severe injuries in a hit-and-run accident in Türkiye, undergoing 13 surgeries as a result. "I don't just see clients as cases; I treat them as if they were my own family," she says.

Uğurlu's approach to legal advocacy is as meticulous as it is empathetic. Her practice has handled cases ranging from serious motor vehicle accidents to complex liability scenarios involving defective premises. In one instance, she helped a client who had no memory of a severe accident piece together events by retracing the accident scene using GPS navigation. In another, her thorough investigation uncovered a faulty water heater adjustment that led to a client's severe burn injuries, securing a $378,000 settlement.

Navigating the complexities of New York's "pure comparative negligence" rule, which allows a lawsuit even if the plaintiff is found 99% at fault, Uğurlu excels in obtaining favorable outcomes for her clients. Her practice has an impressive record, with 95% of cases settling out of court and only 5% proceeding to trial.

The firm's clientele is largely Turkish, reflecting Uğurlu's roots and her desire to serve the Turkish-American community. She is also keen to unite Turkish-American legal professionals under one umbrella, aiming to build a cohesive network of lawyers who can advocate for the community at large. "Doctors, engineers, and architects are already organized, but legal professionals are not. We need to come together," she urges.

Meirowitz & Wasserberg Mesothelioma’s Turkish desk includes seven Turkish-speaking team members, four of whom are attorneys. Uğurlu emphasizes that legal status does not hinder access to justice; undocumented individuals injured in accidents can still file claims.

Uğurlu has helped clients secure multi-million-dollar settlements, such as a $1.6 million award for an Uber driver who sustained herniated discs from a minor collision.

Uğurlu's career goal is clear: to become one of America's most prominent Turkish attorneys while serving the Turkish-American community with dedication. With her track record of success and commitment to her clients, she is well on her way to achieving that ambition. Photos by Koray Kasap