At New York Injury Law, we believe in redefining what it means to be personal injury lawyers—and few have done that more effectively than our founding partner, John A. DeGasperis, Esq., who has amassed more than 225,000 followers across social media platforms and 7.5 million likes on TikTok alone.
John’s journey into digital storytelling began during a moment of profound disruption: the COVID-19 pandemic. As courts shut down and attorneys were told to go home, John recognized a pivotal shift. “I knew that if we kept advertising the old way—phone books, pay-per-click, and billboards—we’d fall behind,” he said. So, he picked up his phone and started creating.
What began as brief updates for clients about court closures and legal delays soon grew into something far more powerful. Through consistent, authentic videos—often recorded from his office, building renovation, or even his car—John built a platform that educates the public on personal injury law while showcasing the real-world work of a trial lawyer.
But it wasn’t always easy. John’s early videos on Facebook and Instagram were modest in reach. The breakthrough came when he recognized that, in addition to being a skilled attorney, he was also comfortable on camera—and he strategically leveraged both strengths to his advantage. “People started noticing the videos, engaging with me about the content, and learning who I was — not just as a lawyer, but as a member of the community.”The real turning point occurred with TikTok.
Despite doubts from some peers—and personal hesitations about how lawyers should appear on social media—John leaned in. He hired a creative team to help him improve the quality and consistency of his content. The goal wasn’t to chase fame, but to create a new kind of client connection and one rooted in education, trust, and accessibility.
Viral success came in waves:
• A video about New York’s marijuana legalization
• A controversial but legally insightful post titled “I Sued a 9-Year-Old …and Won”
• A public service clip about jury duty that was picked up by comedian Tom Segura
• A popular explainer on liability waivers in ski accidents
• And a Facebook class action settlement video with over 10 million views
Each post reflected John’s passion for the law and his talent for simplifying complex legal issues. Some sparked debate. Others sparked laughter. All of them sparked learning.
Yet behind every video was real work—settling multi-million dollar cases, leading a growing law firm, and finding balance between career, content, and family. “There were moments when I questioned it,” John admits. “But I realized this is bigger than me. It’s about showing people that they have rights, that someone is willing to speak up for them, and that being a lawyer doesn’t mean hiding behind legalese.”
Today, John’s TikTok presence has become an invaluable tool—not just for outreach, but for empowering injured New Yorkers to take action.
And through it all, his message remains the same: The law is for everyone. You just need the right person to explain it.
