Meet Carter Duff, winner of the 2024 Scholarship for Emergency Responders and Their Families

Darrigo & Diaz Attorneys at Law is proud to announce Carter Duff as the recipient of our 2024 Annual Scholarship for Emergency Responders and Their Families.

Since 1999, the personal injury attorneys at Darrigo & Diaz have worked tirelessly to protect the rights of Tampa community members; those who fall victim to serious injuries in auto and trucking accidents, slip and falls, and wrongful death cases. Each day, we see firsthand the phenomenal acts of courage, compassion, and competence exhibited by emergency responders. We are honored to contribute to their educational path and will be awarding an annual $1,000 scholarship to an emergency responder or medical professional student.

Read Carter’s inspiring story

Carter Duff grew up in a proud law enforcement family, with his father serving as a police officer. Inspired from an early age by his father’s service, Carter initially dreamed of becoming a police officer himself. However, after witnessing the civil unrest and violence against officers during the riots of 2020, his aspirations shifted. Experiencing firsthand the fear and uncertainty for his father’s safety, Carter realized he could best serve those who protect us by standing alongside them in the courtroom.

Driven by this new purpose, Carter decided to pursue a career in law, with the goal of becoming a defense attorney to protect police officers and their families from those who seek to harm them. “I realized I could help more police officers in the courtroom than I could on the streets,” Carter explained. His unwavering commitment to standing up for law enforcement showcases a deep sense of loyalty and a passion for justice.

Carter believes the most important qualities for a defense attorney are having clearly defined morals, relentless determination, and unshakeable confidence—qualities he lives by every day. “No amount of money could ever stop me from doing what I believe is morally right. I will overcome any obstacles that stand between me and my goals. And I will always believe in myself and my capabilities,” Carter shared.

An example of Carter’s incredible resilience came during the fall semester of his senior year of high school. In the middle of pursuing his associate’s degree in Cybersecurity, Carter discovered he was several credits behind in both his high school and college coursework—an oversight caused by a change in school counselors. Instead of allowing frustration to overwhelm him, Carter took action. He enrolled in all of the missing classes and successfully completed 21 college credit hours along with a full high school schedule during his final semester. Through sheer perseverance and hard work, Carter proved that no academic challenge could stand in his way.

We are honored to support Carter Duff on his journey to becoming a defense attorney. His dedication to protecting those who serve, his strong moral compass, and his inspiring resilience embody the spirit of our scholarship. We cannot wait to see all that Carter will accomplish in the years ahead.

Congratulations, Carter!

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Darrigo & Diaz Scholarship for Emergency Responders and Their Families

The Darrigo & Diaz Scholarship for Emergency Responders and Their Families is just a part of our effort to recognize these heroes in our community by providing financial assistance to emergency responders and their family members to further their education and therefore further their career — or take the first step toward a new one.

Learn more about the Darrigo & Diaz scholarship and how to apply here.