The Game Changing Attorney Podcast with Michael Mogill

20. John Gomez — Hardships Shape Champions

Aug 11, 2020

42:00

"You just can't step back and stop trying cases. There's no substitute for that" - John Gomez

How did Gomez go from a small boutique firm to over a billion dollars in verdicts?
What can trial attorneys learn from world-class athletes?
How can supercharged perseverance help to overcome hardships?
What did Gomez do to go above and beyond in the American Beauty case?

Why John Gomez Put Everything on the Line For the American Beauty Case

By now, Gomez has achieved over a billion dollars in verdicts, but he's perhaps best known for the American Beauty case — a high-profile murder trial that broke him into the media's spotlight, but almost broke him financially too.

Gomez tells all about going all-in on a single high-profile case, going above and beyond to get the result the victim’s family deserved — and how it put him on the path to success.

The Courtroom is a Boxing Gym: Why Talent is Nothing Without Training

Right from the start, Gomez's ambition was to become the best trial lawyer he could be. He has earned awards and critical acclaim, but he's not sleeping on it. In fact, he believes that talent is nothing without training.

Gomez explains why he treats the courtroom the same way he does a boxing ring, why all trial attorneys should seek challenges and consistently raise the bar higher, and how recalibrating your ego in the gym can sharpen your performance in front of a jury.

Hardships Shape Champions: How John Gomez Overcame His Darkest Years

As the saying goes, sometimes it doesn't just rain — it pours. John Gomez describes his own thunderstorm: a period of adversity with multiple professional and personal challenges.

Gomez had to make some tough decisions, rearrange his team, and go on a personal redemption journey. He shares how he used the experience as his biggest learning curve, how he came out fighting stronger than ever, and how you can do the same.

Key takeaways:

Discipline and self-care are vital for entrepreneurs, and not just when you're working. Gomez shares the lessons he's learned about self-centering practices and the impact they've had on all aspects of his life.
From boutique firm to powerhouse, Gomez wants to lead by example. He believes that with enough dedication and a penchant for calculated risk, even small firms can rise to the top.
Bring on the challenging cases. In order to keep building their reputation and credibility, Gomez says attorneys need to constantly work to exceed their own expectations.

Links And Resources