The Game Changing Attorney Podcast with Michael Mogill

46. Rich Newsome — Learning From Your Losses and Growth Through Collaboration

Feb 23, 2021

42:50

"You have to go through a certain kind of death to transform yourself. And I feel like that's what happened to me. I had to get my ass beat to really come to grips with a better method and to learn to be able to deal with loss and fear — because to me, that is the greatest gorilla." - Rich Newsome

Why is fear the biggest threat to your success?
How did Rich go from product liability defense to complex civil litigation?
Why is the plaintiff lawyer community unlike any other?
How can you overcome your own fears?

Champion of the People

Rich Newsome is the senior partner at the Newsome Melton Law Firm. Rich started out in product liability defense for manufacturers, but one case turned him away from the big clients and set him down a new path. For the last 25 years, Rich has dedicated himself to representing individuals and families who have suffered catastrophic and fatal injuries against the kinds of corporations he once defended.

In this episode, Rich tells us all about the case that got him into complex civil litigation and how time and again he has overcome professional and personal hurdles that would've beaten anyone else.

Collaboration, Not Competition

Within the plaintiff lawyer community, there is a duality of competition and collaboration. Competition for new clients is fierce, but the plaintiff lawyers' shared belief in advocating for their clients' rights also leads to unparalleled cooperation among rivals.

Rich shares with us what he loves about being a plaintiff lawyer and describes the altruistic exchange of information plaintiff lawyers engage in through the Attorneys Information Exchange Group (AIEG).

Learn From Your Losses

Even in the legal profession, it's true that with every failure comes an opportunity to grow — and while losing in the courtroom can be devastating, you should use it as a chance to reflect and improve.

Hot streaks can give us a false sense of confidence, which is something Rich knows all about. He shares with us one of his own opportunities for growth and how he learned from his hubris to never overestimate your own abilities.

Key takeaways:

Don't ignore your fear. It's normal to feel it, and you're definitely not the only one who gets scared. So acknowledge it, accept it, breathe through it, and learn to overcome it.
Roll with the punches. You're going to take a lot of hits in your personal and professional life — but each one is an opportunity for you to learn and grow.
Cooperation is key. Keep in touch with your contacts, join groups and associations like the AIEG, and take advantage of the exchange of information and support.

Links and Resources