When Pitt Law alumnus Richard Freeburn (JD ’79) shared his story about discovering a new passion later in life, it quickly resonated with readers across the legal community. His reflection—equal parts personal and professional—offers a powerful reminder that purpose and perspective can evolve at any age.
From the Classroom to the Open Road: An Alumnus Finds a New Calling After 70
Most law school alumni stories follow familiar arcs—rising through firm ranks, serving on the bench, or leading businesses. But one alumnus’s journey took a detour most wouldn’t expect: learning to ride a motorcycle at age 70 and then building a thriving motorcycle injury practice.
For decades Richard Freeburn, a 1979 University of Pittsburgh Law School graduate, built his legal career in more traditional ways. After founding his own general plaintiffs’ personal injury practice in 1988, clients, courtrooms, and casebooks shaped his professional identity. But as he approached his seventies, Mr. Freeburn made an unlikely choice: he enrolled in a basic rider motorcycle safety course, bought his first bike, and discovered the thrill and freedom of the open road.
The experience was transformative. Riding wasn’t just a pastime; it opened his eyes to the vulnerability of motorcyclists on highways and in courtrooms. He quickly realized how often bikers face not only physical injuries from crashes but also stereotypes that can work against them in litigation.
This insight became the foundation for his next chapter. Drawing on decades of legal experience representing injury victims, he created a motorcycle injury department within his firm dedicated to representing riders. He combined a seasoned trial lawyer’s skill with the lived perspective of someone who now understood the unique challenges of motorcycling.
Colleagues describe his practice as both passionate and pragmatic. Clients, many of whom never expected their lawyer to arrive at a consultation wearing riding boots, say they feel seen and respected in a way they hadn’t experienced before.
His story is less about reinvention than about curiosity, courage, and empathy—qualities that the law always demands, no matter where the road leads. For students and alumni alike, his journey is a reminder that it is never too late to change direction, discover new passions, and build a practice rooted in lived experience.
As he puts it: “The courtroom and the highway have something in common. On both, you have to be alert, responsive, and willing to take a risk. That’s what keeps life interesting.”