Thoughtful Thursdays: Interview with Eric Fong

Breakfast Leadership Show

Decades of experience, over 100 cases tried to a jury with monumental failures and success, Eric uniquely tries civil and criminal cases with equal passion and sophistication. Landmark cases include creating the constitutional right to Intimate Association (Eric protected the rights of low-income housing residents against oppressive “crime control” measures) and his historic $91,000,000 verdict is the largest compensatory damages verdict for one person in Washington State. As George Clinton's lawyer, the iconic funk musician/artist, Eric's unique view into the entertainment industry crafted a result that allowed him to maintain his collection of music and is the lead attorney on the definitive copyright case in American jurisprudence. His representation of George Clinton, the iconic funk musician/artist, is the definitive copyright case in American jurisprudence.
Eric’s passion is to create and move juries in the courtroom, seek out truth, and deliver justice. He is recognized as an innovator in trial work and the only Washington lawyer to be acknowledged by the Plaintiffs Trial Bar (WSAJ) and the Defense Trial Bar (WDTLA) for their prestigious Trial Lawyer of the Year award.

A teacher of over 16 years at the Trial Lawyers College and a student there for 21, Eric is committed to the grace of continued learning. Eric’s deep friendships and mentors, Gerry Spence, Paul Luvera, Rick Friedman, Nick Rowley, and Bill Barton, gift reciprocity of thought and offer tapestries of insights that inspire and guide him daily.
www.ericfonglaw.com

Quick recap In their conversation, Michael and Eric touched on various aspects of life's purpose, work, and the legal profession. They discussed Eric's career as a trial lawyer, his personal fulfillment in helping individuals, and his concerns about the influence of the insurance industry on the legal world. They also talked about the issue of insurance rates, especially in areas prone to natural disasters, and the importance of self-confidence and positive mindset in overcoming adversity. Summary Life's Purpose and Spontaneity Michael and Eric had a conversation about life's purpose and the importance of spontaneity. They also discussed Eric's work and how people can connect with him. Michael expressed his appreciation for Eric's time and his openness to having a natural conversation. They briefly mentioned a shift from Google Podcasts to YouTube, which Michael mentioned would provide an opportunity to reach a wider audience. Advocating for the Underdog: A Career in Law Eric and Michael discussed Eric's career as a trial lawyer. Eric shared his personal fulfillment and purpose in helping individuals, particularly those in challenging circumstances. He acknowledged the complexities and potential biases within the judicial system but expressed his belief in the potential fairness of the jury system. Michael echoed Eric's sentiment about the significance of human connections and storytelling in advocating for causes. Both agreed on the importance of supporting the 'little guys' in their battles against larger entities. They also acknowledged the challenging and demanding nature of such advocacy work. Insurance Industry's Impact on Legal World Eric voiced his concerns about the influence of the insurance industry on the legal world, highlighting its control over various aspects of life such as car ownership and health care. He emphasized the difficulties in holding the industry accountable and the crucial role of trial lawyers. Eric and Michael expressed their frustration with the insurance industry's practice of not fulfilling its promises to pay claims, noting the stress it causes claimants. Eric, a lawyer, shared his mission to handle legal matters and hold insurance companies accountable to alleviate the stress for his clients. They also discussed the negative consequences of claimants deciding not to pursue their claims, enabling insurance companies to continue their practices. Insurance Rates and Climate Change Concerns Michael and Eric discussed the issue of insurance rates, particularly in California and other areas prone to natural disasters. They noted the trend of insurance companies pulling out of certain markets due to financial losses from covering hurricane damages. Eric expressed concern over the situation, suggesting it was a wake-up call for society, as it indicates the unforeseen consequences of climate change. Michael added that even in areas prone to natural disasters, not every property is affected, which complicates the issue for insurance companies. Legal Profession and Justice System Debate Michael and Eric discussed their perspectives on the legal profession, focusing on the role of risk-sharing and accountability in the justice system. Eric expressed his dissatisfaction with the current model, citing a lack of accountability and the concentrated power of insurance companies. He emphasized the importance of trial lawyers who can effectively communicate and inspire justice. Michael agreed, highlighting the necessity of presenting a clear and compelling case for jurors. Additionally, Eric shared his approach of turning down settlement offers in favor of potentially higher payouts at trial, despite the risk of losing. Both agreed on the inefficiency of mass marketing by lawyers, with Eric arguing that these advertisements often misrepresent the quality of legal services provided. Self-Confidence and Positive Mindset Michael and Eric discussed the importance of self-confidence and positive mindset in overcoming adversity. They emphasized the need to be one's own champion and to use simple strategies such as listening to music or going for a walk to regain positivity during down days. Michael highlighted the power of mindset, noting that it can impact the trajectory of an entire day. Eric further emphasized the importance of recognizing negative thoughts as they come, acknowledging they will pass and be replaced by more productive ones, such as solutions or positive ideas.