From Yakima to the Courtroom: Terry Abeyta’s Journey in Law

Terry Abeyta is a personal injury attorney based in Yakima, Washington. Over the course of his career, he has represented everyday people in some of the most challenging moments of their lives. He is especially proud of helping those who might otherwise be overlooked in the legal system. One of his most notable accomplishments is securing a seven-million-dollar settlement for a child injured in a bleacher accident—the largest in Yakima County history.

In our conversation, Terry shared his journey from community college to law school, the doubts he faced, and the deeper reasons why he continues to do this work. His story offers insight and encouragement for students who may be unsure of their path, especially those in the Latino community.

A Path That Wasn't Straightforward

Terry didn't start at a big university. He began at Yakima Valley College, a local community college while working as a full-time reporter for the Yakima Herald-Republic. He later transferred to Whitman College, where he majored in political science. But law wasn't always the plan.

He considered going to graduate school for journalism since he already had so much experience in that field. His newspaper encouraged him to go that route. But simultaneously, his pre-law advisor at Whitman kept nudging him toward law school. After weighing both paths, Terry decided to give law a try.

He eventually attended the University of Washington School of Law. This decision shaped the rest of his life, though it was not an easy road.

Law School and Learning Through Challenges

Law school, Terry said, was a grind. It took up nearly all of his time, especially in the first year. The pressure was high, and the environment was competitive.

"There were many smart people in my class," he said. "It's easy to question whether you belong."

On top of that, law school classes used the Socratic method — meaning professors asked students questions at random. That often meant being called on for the one case you didn't fully understand. But over time, he figured things out and discovered what law school taught him: how to think logically and carefully. He credits his political science background, especially a constitutional law course at Whitman, with giving him a small head start.

Finding His "Why" in Law

After graduating, Terry worked at a firm in Kirkland where he focused on civil litigation. A young partner at the firm had a few personal injury cases and invited Terry to help. That's when something clicked.

He realized he was more interested in helping people than representing companies. So, after two and a half years, Terry moved back to his hometown of Yakima with his wife and young daughter. He joined a small law firm where he continued to do personal injury work, this time as a lead attorney.

"I like representing people who need help," he said. "Not insurance companies. They're going to be fine. I've always identified with David, not Goliath."

That mindset became the foundation of his career.

Creating Space for Others

When Terry was in law school in the 1970s, schools were beginning to open doors to more women and students of color. He remembers that three of his closest classmates were Latino — they all became excellent lawyers. The only thing they needed was a real opportunity.

Terry believes that bringing more Latino students and other underrepresented groups into the legal profession strengthens the system. A wider range of life experiences and perspectives helps lawyers better understand people and serve them more fairly.

"Just giving people a chance is the most important thing," he said. "And they'll show you what they're capable of."

Defining Success and Staying Grounded

When asked how he defines success, Terry doesn't discuss awards or the number of cases he wins. For him, success means doing meaningful work. It means standing beside someone who feels overwhelmed and helping them get through it.

"I've always wanted to do work that matters," he said.

He also stays grounded by remembering where he came from. He grew up in a working-class family and still sees himself as one of those people. That connection to his roots helps him stay focused on why he does what he does — to help others who might feel powerless.

Words of Encouragement for Students

Terry knows that students don't always have their futures mapped out, and that's okay. He didn't know what he wanted to do when he started either.

"Your interests develop as you go," he said. "Sometimes you think you're going to do one thing and end up doing something else."

What matters most is choosing a path that challenges you and allows you to help others. Terry's journey reminds us that law isn't just about rules and cases. It's about people — and standing up for those who need it most.