Introduction

Meet Dorothy: She is 100 years old, sweet and assuming. She lives alone in a town near where she has lived most of her life.

Meet me: It’s January 8, 2015. I’m an investment fraud lawyer attending a professional conference in Wyoming, trying mightily to get some work done. My plans change when I hear Dorothy’s story, a story that involvessmall-town America, an invention, hard work, a life lived right, and $30 million. Dorothy’s husband was an engineer who invented a critical piece of equipment for the government. He started a manufacturing company and, after 50 years, concluded his American Dream by retiring and selling his company. They relaxed into their retirement, secure in the knowledge that they had financial freedom for their family. Dorothy and her husband were conservative and never flaunted their wealth. At age 91, he passed away.

Meet the stockbroker: He works for a large national brokerage firm. He discovers Dorothy’s financial net worth by befriending her adult daughter and pounces on the opportunity to pad his own pockets. Within six months, he swindles $30 million from Dorothy, almost the entire accumulation of the couple’s life’s work.

Back to me: A lawyer who heard me speak at a seminar a few years back calls and refers me to this case. No matter the amount, losing a lifetime of savings is devastating and life altering for victimsand their families. After hearing Dorothy’s story, I jump on a plane, and, two time zones later, I meet with Dorothy’s estate lawyers and family representatives who explain Dorothy’s distress and the ultimate goal of recovering her money before her passing. Challenge accepted.

This was a case that required all hands on deck at my law firm. We quickly drafted stacks of legal briefs for immediate court filing and coordinated amulti-pronged legal battle to take on severaldeep-pocket adversaries, who included three sophisticated defense lawyers from several law firms, including one of Wall Street’s top defenders. In the end, I recovered $31,484,900.67 for Dorothy—more than $1 million more than she lost. A copy of the check (with the financial firm’s name redacted for confidentiality purposes) is framed and hangs proudly in my office to remind me of the high stakes of the battles I fight for my clients. It’s about the money, but it’s also about the pride, retribution, and validation that comes with ahard-fought battle for what’s right and just.

Finally, meet Dorothy’s nephew: He calls a few months after the case settles to tell me that he has just returned from Dorothy’s 101st birthday party. At the party, she asks him to thank me again for everything I did for their family. It’s the best feeling in the world.

Trial by Fire

When I tell people I’m a trial lawyer, I say it proudly, fully understanding that their first reaction might be an internal eye roll. I get it. If your only experience with lawyers is based on what you see on television with cheesy advertisements, it’s easy to believe the stereotypes. I’m proud of my profession. I’ve spent my entire career helping people up when they’re down. I fight to level the playing field, res