In Episode 39 of "Celebrating Justice," trial lawyer Maggie Bopp of Rappaport, Glass, Levine, & Zullo LLP brings her fierce advocacy and heartfelt integrity to the spotlight.

From her upbringing in a family rooted deeply in law enforcement and military service, to her decorated tenure in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Bopp shares an inspiring journey shaped by duty, grit, and compassion.

Early on, Bopp stood out — playing boys lacrosse with her braid hidden beneath a helmet and taking on the unofficial role of “lawyer” among her four brothers. Her competitiveness, sharpened on the field and honed in courtrooms, became a hallmark of her legal style: “Try me,” she says, is her unspoken message when underestimated.

Bopp recounts harrowing cases from her time in the Vehicular Crime Bureau. One tragedy still haunts her: an Uber crash that killed four young passengers. The intoxicated driver who caused the accident died before he could be prosecuted, leaving victims’ families with unanswered questions and unfulfilled justice. But another case, involving the fiery deaths of a father and two children, led to a landmark conviction after months of tireless investigation — one that tested Bopp personally and professionally.

She credits her background in criminal prosecution for preparing her to build strong cases and connect with jurors. “People just want to be heard,” she says. Whether it’s a bartender or a trial attorney, that need for connection and empathy bridges all.

In her “Closing Argument,” Bopp reflects on a case that tested her instincts: a defendant who faked mental incapacity to delay proceedings in a DUI fatality trial. Her gut told her something was off — and it was right. Pole camera footage captured the defendant walking, talking, and lifting boxes just before donning a wheelchair and acting nonverbal in court. Her persistence exposed the deception, secured a conviction, and brought closure to a grieving widow and her four children.

Key Takeaways

• Growing up in a law enforcement family instilled a deep sense of justice and public service.
• Playing boys lacrosse and bartending taught valuable lessons in grit and human connection.
• Vehicular homicide cases require both emotional resilience and precise legal skill.
• Gut instincts can be critical in uncovering truth and securing justice.

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