As Teny Geragos’s father puts it, “her being a lawyer was a given, even before she was born.”
Famed criminal defense and civil litigator Mark Geragos, who represented the likes of Whitewater’s Susan McDougal, Wynoa Ryder and Michael Jackson, beams with pride as he reflects on his fatherly influence just days before one of the biggest celebratory days of the year, Father’s Day.
Teny R. Geragos, left, of Agnifilo Intrater and Mark Geragos, right, of Geragos & Geragos. Courtesy photo;
Young and old, those who are with us and those who are just a memory, it’s a day of reflection and to give thanks this Sunday to the man who made us what we are: Dad.
Given their tough exteriors and dedication to clients, it’s easy to forget, Lawyers are dads too.
Defense counsel for Sean “Diddy” Combs who is currently on trial in a Los Angeles courtroom, Agnifilo Intrater founding partner Teny Geragos broke for lunch to speak with ALM’s LAW.com about her deep connection and professional camaraderie she has with her father.
“When I grew up, my father had a law firm with his father and his brother, and so myself and my brother and my cousins would spend our weekends in our small office,” Geragos said about her initial inspiration to practice law. “He was always on trial when I was a kid and growing up, and he would call me every day and give me the breakdown of the trial of how things were going. And now it’s kind of fun, because we get to do the opposite now that I get to try cases as well.”
Mark Geragos with LA’s Geragos & Geragos was there during Teny’s opening remarks in Combs’ trial. His voice trembles with pride as he reflects on the words she delivered.
“I sat and watched her opening in this case, and all I could think of is—obviously filled with pride,” Geragos said. “She hit it out of the park, in my opinion. But all I could think of was my father and what he would have thought to watch his granddaughter’s opening like that, and do it with such great poise. I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Matthew S. Kramer, left, and William S. Kramer, right, of Brinkley Morgan. Courtesy photos..
Bill and Matthew Kramer, partners at Brinkley Morgan in Fort Lauderdale have found that separate practices under the same roof makes for a harmonious father son relationship at the firm.
“We make every effort to treat professional law firm and case related matters as partners and colleagues and family matters as father and son,” the duo said.
Bill has 45 years of experience in real estate and business law and while Matt brings strong business development and client management talents and as his father says, “better technological expertise” to the table.
“We certainly share more personal satisfaction in each other’s successes as father and son than just the obvious financial gain.
They highlight their firms support of the father/son coexistence.
“I think having substantially separate practices is helpful for our father/son relationship which thrives and is heavily family oriented [the children and grandchildren]. We are … mindful not to let our relationship influence professional decisions as much as possible.”
Arthur Aidala, left, and his father Louis, right. Courtesy photo
Arthur L. Aidala has been a prominent figure in Harvey Weinstein’s defense, particularly in the initial trial and appeals. A managing partner with New York firm Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, the attorney credits his father, the dapper and mustachioed Louis R. Aidala for the lions share of this success.
“Whatever success I’ve had as a lawyer, I get 10 percent of the credit, and he gets the other 90 percent,” Aidala said. “I grew up in a household where I sat and watched him at night, pacing in the living room, rehearsing his opening statement or his summation; his work ethic, his paying attention to detail, tenacity, it’s just instilled in me. A lot of people in the media that watch me litigate Harvey’s case, talking about my aggressiveness. My aggressiveness is really regarding the legal record, protecting the record, to move for mistrials, to make the appropriate objections substantiated by appropriate law, that’s all from my father.”
The elder Aidala was asked in a 2006 New York magazine article, ‘What kind of lawyer are you?’ His response; “God blessed me with a golden brain. To my knowledge, I am the only person who has worked both as a special prosecutor and a defense attorney at the same time.”
That tenacity carried over to his son.
“When I’m in the courtroom, he’s on my shoulder. And even now, during the Weinstein case, I was delivering the transcripts to him on a somewhat regular basis, and he was reading them, and he was appropriately, constructively critical of some of the things I did or didn’t do. I’m 57 he’s going to be 87 and I’m still learning from him.”
Edward, left, and Beau, right, Blumberg of Deutsch Blumberg. Courtesy photos
Top on a Father’s Day wish list, but a rare occurrence, is a case where the family litigators stand side by side.
Miami’s Edward Blumberg and son Beau have teamed using Edward’s depth of experience acquired through years in the trenches and Beau as the master of the most current applications of technology.
“A few weeks ago, we had the joy of working together with other members of our firm in a jury trial in Palm Beach County,” said Edward Blumberg of Deutsch, Blumberg & Caballero. “Beau utilized his skills in technology to blend together an opening statement utilizing [my] storytelling ability with the use of animations that resulted in a compelling, insightful, and persuasive opening statement for the jury.”
The team is proud of their father son ability to rely on Edwards storytelling abilities coupled with Beau compassionate approach at trial.
“Trying cases together is a real special time,” the elder Blumberg said.
What’s in a Name?
Sabrina Zarco’s dad is pretty famous in the commercial litigation space. Her father is trial lawyer Robert Zarco. And on many occasion the connection makes people say; “I have to ask, are you Robert Zarco’s daughter? And of course, my answer is always yes with pride,” Sabrina says.
Her father. a Cuban immigrant turn nationally recognized litigator, is a founder of the largest franchisee practice in the world.
Robert Zarco, with Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, and daughter Sabrina Zarco, with Berger Singerman, in Miami. Courtesy photo
“Based on what people have told and what I’ve seen myself in tidbits—even though my dad says I haven’t seen him enough—he obviously loves what he does. He’s amazing at what he does. I wouldn’t have had any idea what it was like to actually be a lawyer without watching him and without seeing how prideful he is of his work, and how happy he is doing his work, and how excited he is about every time he has a new case. I think that definitely translates in my practice and me going to law school, being excited, always knowing that I wanted to do litigation, because in my mind, there was no other option.”
The Miami-Dade County, Florida father of three said he always dreamed that one would grow up to be a lawyer.
“It was important for me that a child of mine would follow my legacy in terms of the practice of law, which I have become involved in, which is a very unique area… representation of franchisees in the franchise industry, Robert said. “One day when Sabrina came home and said, ‘Dad, I have decided that I’m going to follow in your footsteps and I’m going to become a commercial trial lawyer as well, it lightened up my eyes and brought such euphoria and warmth to my heart that I will never forget that day.”
Balancing the role of parent-child in the legal profession
Following in his father’s footsteps, Jason Kellogg, son of Larry Kellogg has made a career out of pursuing white-collar legal cases at the same firm as his dad.
Jason Kellogg partner with Levine Kellogg Lehman Schneider + Grossman. Courtesy photo
Also a partner at Levine, Kellogg, Lehman, Schneider + Grossman in Miami —the senior Kellogg specializes in litigating a variety of civil fields, including securities and fraud worked on the Bernie Madoff fraud case, stemming from the biggest Ponzi scheme in global history.
His is father has been his lifelong mentor.
“The balance comes pretty naturally because neither of us really talks about work unless we’re working. The only weird thing is that when I joined, he told me I had to call him “Larry” at work. I’ve gotten used to it. I call him “Dad” outside of work.
Each has unique strengths and perspectives. But do they complement or challenge each other in the practice?
“If I am being totally honest, we’re probably a lot alike. I am comfortable in the courtroom and enjoy trial. But he he’s on a different level. It doesn’t make me insecure, it just makes me proud. “Hey, see that guy? He’s my dad.”
Michael and Barry Epstein of The Epstein Law Firm. Courtesy photo
Michael Epstein left big law to join his dad Barry in Rochelle Park, New Jersey and has never looked back.
“From a very young age, my father was my role model because I always watched in awe as he helped people with their problems and challenges,” the son with Epstein Law Firm said. “On this Father’s Day, I am thankful for him paving the way, for his guidance, for his support, and for allowing me to grow as a person and lawyer my own way. Our partnership has been one of my life’s greatest rewards. Thank you Dad!”
Father and son trial attorneys Jonathan E. Freidin said his father Philip made his work fun and interesting.
Jonathan Freidin & Philip Freidin of Freidin Brown. Courtesy photo.
“He would have us serve as dinner-table-jurors and ask us how much money we would give to the plaintiff. I was 10 at the time. As I got older and went on to law school, the discussions about his practice grew deeper, and I saw how he made a career out of helping people and doing something he loved,”
Philip credits a “wonderful synergy” that creates an incredibly strong team at Miami’s Freidin Brown which secured a $16m jury verdict in Estate of Manuel Garcia v. Philip Morris USA and at trial in New York City the pair went against 50 Cent for a $7m verdict.
“Every trial we do together is memorable and a learning experience for us. Trials are grueling. They are high-pressure. They require long days in court and late nights at the office. But there’s never a tense moment between us, and trials are always fun when we’re doing them together. Especially when we win,” Philip said.
Taking time for family is what Jonathan remembers most about growing up with an attorney dad.
“My dad never missed one of my games or life milestones – no matter how busy he was,” the younger Freidin said. “Now that I have my own kids, he encourages me to take the time to be there for them, and he enjoys seeing me follow in his footsteps as a lawyer, but most importantly as a parent.”
Sabrina Zarco added a personal Father’s Day message to her dad who was on the interview call with her Friday.
It was a sentiment echo by all the attorneys.
“I love you,” she said. “I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me and how much I have grown as a human by having your guidance and support and love throughout my life and through my career. And I know that it’s only going to get better and better from here on out.”
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