As Gomez Trial Attorneys approach our tenth year as a law firm, I reflect upon our founding principles and core values. I opened the firm in 2005 with three files, a folding table, and one employee. Today, our firm employs more than 40 amazing professionals and represents thousands of consumers and families nationally. People sometimes ask me why we...
According to Wikipedia, Paper tigers is a literal English translation of the Chinese phrase zhilaohu (紙老虎). The term refers to something that seems threatening but is ineffectual and unable to withstand challenge. The expression became well known in the West as a slogan used by Mao Zedong's Chinese communist state against its opponents, particularly the U.S. government. I suppose...
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...
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...
I believe very strongly in the power of pause and reflection. For that reason, I cherish the often-quiet time between Christmas and New Year as a time to set goals, resolutions and aspirations. I invariably set goals for myself and Gomez Trial Attorneys. This year, however, inspired by my good friends at Hughes Marino, who do an outstanding job...
No, I am not here writing about Bobby Schuller’s evangelical television program, 'The Hour of Power'. But rather, I write to suggest that the first hour of your day is by far the most important, and sets the tone for all that follows. I also share here my morning routine. I do so hoping to inspire one or more...
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...
My three kids play club soccer. The club just held tryouts. I tried hard to parent and teach my kids leading up to that week, and so I write about it here. As different as they are in everything they do, they play and approach soccer differently too. Tryouts, though, had a happy ending for them all.
My ten-year-old, “JD”,...
Trial work can be very tough on the trial lawyer. As I mentioned in a recent blog about trying my 50th case to jury, trials can punish you both physically emotionally. Both before and after the 8 hours spent in court comes preparation for the next day. It is not uncommon for me to log 16 hour work days...
Until recently, I tipped lots of people when I stayed in hotels. I would tip the bellman for bringing my bags up, the bartender for pouring a drink, the server for delivering my dinner, and the valet for driving my car half a block. There was one person, however, I didn’t even think about: the housekeeper who cleaned my...
