Kevin Yaldoo
Partner, Hakim, Toma & Yaldoo
Kevin Yaldoo’s favorite childhood memories involve spending time and working with his older brother Steve at the family business in Southwest Detroit. “Growing up, I idolized my big brother, and he always looked out for me,” said Kevin. “When I was 11, I told Steve I wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up. From that day forward, he did everything he could to help me reach my goal. We’re still close, and I try and help him whenever needed. He’s a great guy, and all of his customers love him.”
It’s no wonder that Kevin, Amer Hakim and Fadi Toma treat every Hakim, Toma & Yaldoo client like they are family. “Not only did we go to high school together, we are very like-minded. We wanted to create a firm that felt like family among our staff and with our clients. I look forward to going to work every day, because I know I’m around people who care about one another and have each other’s best interests at heart.” When not at work, Kevin enjoys spending time with his own family, and he and his wife make it a priority to read bedtime stories nightly to their children.
Kevin indicates that the attorney/client relationship is one that requires trust and transparency. “The closest parallel to the attorney and client relationship is probably the relationship you have with your spouse,” says Kevin. “Find someone you trust, are comfortable with, and can be completely honest with. In both relationships, you need to have faith in that person and know they’ll be in your corner. When you work with Hakim, Toma & Yaldoo, that’s the kind of attorney/client relationship you can expect. We are as committed to the success of that relationship, and your case, as you are.”
In addition to the firm’s commitment to treating every client like family, Kevin also says that when choosing an attorney to work with, bigger isn’t necessarily better. “Some may assume a large law firm that does television commercials and big billboards means they are the best – but often those firms aren’t the best fit for your case. You want to know the person handling your case will be the one answering your call or returning your email. More often than not, you do not get that level of service with a larger law firm.”
Kevin cites the gratification that comes from helping clients as one of the things he enjoys most about being an attorney. “It’s hard to beat hearing you have exceeded a client’s expectations, or getting a second or third generation referral from a satisfied family member or friend.” In one referral case, he helped a woman whose insurance claim was rejected simply because her car was a collision shop known for fraudulent claims; Hakim, Toma & Yaldoo won more than 100% of the claim amount on her behalf. In another case, Kevin won a large settlement for a client that greatly improved his life; the two remained friends until the man’s passing.
In another case, Farm Bureau Insurance was prepared to dismiss a client’s case based on specific insurance policy language regarding an uninsured driver’s ability to sue. Despite the fact that the policy language was held enforceable by the Michigan Court of Appeal, Kevin refused to abandon his client and their claim. Kevin fought the insurance company and prevailed on behalf of the client. Based on Kevin’s case, many other attorneys since have successfully fought and won for their clients on the same issue. Kevin was later contacted by the Journal of Insurance and Indemnity Law, and asked to author an article on the case; it was published in the April 2019 issue of the magazine (read the article here). “Not only was it gratifying to have my work recognized by my peers, but to win for my client in a case that would benefit others well into the future is a high point of my career. It’s one of the reasons why I became a lawyer.”
Kevin is a member of both the million-dollar advocate’s forum, which recognizes attorneys who have won million-dollar verdicts or settlements, and the multimillion-dollar advocate’s forum, which is limited to attorneys who have won verdicts or settlements in excess of two million dollars. Less than one (1%) percent of attorneys in the United States hold this distinction.
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