Culture Counts
I feel like I wear a lot of hats in my job. I am a trial lawyer. I try many, many cases before juries to verdict. I am a litigator. I strategize cases, take depositions, and prepare cases for both resolution and trial. I am a “rainmaker” and marketer. Because I know many people and have achieved some...
May 4 was Anti-Bullying Day. As a law firm, we are deeply committed to the fight to end bullying altogether. On May 4, we showed our support for victims of bullying and raised awareness by wearing our own custom-made “Bullying Stops Now” t-shirts. That text is made up of empowering and inspirational quotes. Our team members spread the message...
I recently was invited to speak to a group of lawyers about staying strong through adversity. My topic was, “How to Overcome Adversity and Loss as a Trial Lawyer.” I have certainly overcome some adversity and struggles in my life. And as a trial lawyer, I have dealt with loss as well. One really difficult thing about trying cases...
I write this from the veranda of my room in Costa Rica. It is Monday morning, my first full day here. I obtained a favorable jury verdict for a great family last Thursday. The trial outcome was not only very personally fulfilling, but it also confirmed my faith in God. And so, I thought, I would write about it...
In 2011, I spent 27 days attending Gerry Spence’s acclaimed “Trial Lawyers College” on a ranch in Dubois, Wyoming. The experience affected me profoundly as a human being and trial lawyer. We apply what I learned there to each of our cases every day. We are especially blessed to have the former President of Trial Lawyers College, Jude Basile,...
While Gomez Trial Attorneys handles cases nationally, I without question still consider San Diego home and myself a true “San Diegan.” My dad was in the Navy and so my early years were spent moving between different oceans and bases, including San Diego. We ended up here for good when I was around 10. We lived in Bonita where...
This coming Friday, I will be receiving an “Outstanding Trial Lawyer” award from the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego. “CASD” is honoring me, along with Jessica Sizemore from our firm, for our work obtaining a $16.2 million “slip and fall” verdict for Bill and Elaine Kidd against El Pollo Loco. In that case, Bill slipped and fell in greasy...
Mentor: an experienced and trusted adviser
I have now been practicing law for almost 25 years. During that time, I have worked in a big corporate defense firm, as a federal prosecutor, and now, as a plaintiffs trial attorney. During that time, a number of mentors have been there to help and encourage my growth, and so, I thought I...
I am in the middle of trial. We represent a great young guy, Jesus. When Jesus was 7, his mom bought a Ralph Lauren shirt for him from Macy's. The tag of the shirt said, “100% Cotton.” A while later, unfortunately, Jesus was playing with a lighter. He burned a piece of plant which fell on his shirt. He...
A few years back, I represented a man named Bill Kransky. He lived in Miles City, Montana with his wife Sheryl. I represented him because he had an artificial hip. And the artificial hip, manufactured by Johnson and Johnson, was defective. It was metal, the parts rubbed together, and metal leaked into his tissue and blood. Johnson and Johnson...
