Darryl Lee Isaacs '82 enrolled at Trinity High School in the spring of his junior year. He made the most of his short time at Trinity to lay the groundwork for what would become an amazingly successful career as an attorney.
After graduating from Trinity in 1982, Darryl attended the University of Louisville and Jefferson Community & Technical College before enrolling at the University of Kentucky. Darryl graduated from UK in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in administration, carrying a 3.2 GPA and a desire to attend law school.
Darryl's commitment to proving himself met its strongest challenge when it came time to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). He needed three cracks at the test over a two-year period before scoring high enough to enter the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville. After Darryl's second failed attempt taking the LSAT, his father challenged him to either accept defeat or not let a committee of people determine what he was going to do for the rest of his life. He studied harder, improved his scores, gained admission to U of L and earned his juris doctorate in 1991. He needed three more tries to pass the bar exam, but his determination to succeed never wavered. His dream of a career in the law soon came true.
Darryl began his legal career in 1992, when he partnered with his father, Sheldon N. Isaacs, who came out of retirement to establish Isaacs & Isaacs, P.S.C., a Louisville law firm. The firm had two attorneys and one part-time employee.
Over the years, Darryl built Isaacs & Isaacs into a successful and profitable law firm. At the time of his Hall of Fame induction, the firm had more than 40 employees, including nine attorneys in addition to Darryl and his father. From 1992 until Darryl's Hall of Fame induction, the firm collected over $500 million in fees, representing more than 28,000 clients for their injuries. Darryl merged his care for clients with a determination to pursue justice. This combination, along with professionalism and integrity, made Isaacs & Isaacs a powerful legal force in Louisville, Lexington and Indianapolis. Darryl became widely known for his television commercials, billboards and phonebook advertisements, in which he nicknamed himself the "Kentucky Hammer" and the "Heavy Hitter." His ads are like the man himself: direct, good-natured and self-effacing.
Darryl is a member of the Louisville Bar Association, as well as the Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio bar associations. Additionally, Darryl is a member of the Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, the Kentucky Justice Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. A strong believer in community involvement, Darryl has given his time and resources to community organizations. After attending an event for All I Want for Christmas, which provides toys for needy children, he was so moved that he made a $10,000 gift to the organization.
Darryl's presence at Trinity has been profound. In 2007, he established the Betty and Shelly Isaacs Scholarship to honor his parents as an expression of his appreciation for the education he received at Trinity. The scholarship is renewable and given to a sophomore who has a demonstrated need. It is one of the largest scholarships funded by an individual.
Additionally, Darryl has been a significant contributor to Trinity's R.W. Marshall Sports Center, providing for the purchase of equipment. He also supports the powerlifting team, providing funds each year for the team to travel to Oklahoma City to participate in national competition.
Also, he is a staunch supporter of the celebraTion dinner-auction through his donations, his attendance and his making significant purchases of auction items. As well, he returns to Trinity on a regular basis to speak to classes about his experience as a student, the lessons Trinity taught him that have served him well in life and how perseverance pays off. At the time of his Hall of Fame induction, Darryl was an advisory member of the Trinity High School Foundation Board.
Trinity had such a profound impact on Darryl that in the short time he was a student here he considers his alma mater one of his top charities. He has never forgotten his Trinity roots. When he meets with his accountant each year to do his taxes, he wears a Trinity shirt to remind himself of his humble beginnings. Darryl and his wife, Teri, and have three children: Lee (Trinity, 2017) and twins Amanda and Nathaniel. They are members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Inducted 2012