Building a Firm, Trying the Case, Changing the Outcome with Amy Gunn & Erica Slater
Episode 28 (Part 2) of Verdicts & Vogue captures Amy Gunn and Erica Slater at a pivotal moment—building a firm from the ground up while immediately proving their credibility in the courtroom.
Verdicts & Vogue host Cristina Perez Hesano continues the conversation with Amy Gunn and Erica Slater, who detail the deliberate, months-long planning behind launching their firm. From staffing and systems to branding and operations, nothing was left to chance. Ethical rules required them to resign and open on the same day, turning launch day into a high-stakes, emotional leap that set the tone for their identity.
Within weeks, Erica tried a case under the new firm’s name, signaling they wouldn’t accept discounted settlements or appear hesitant. That resolve paid off when a $150,000 offer became a $400,000 jury verdict—cementing their belief that real credibility is earned at trial.
The episode’s centerpiece is a landmark medical malpractice case Amy tried early in the firm’s life. Despite clear evidence of prolonged labor and catastrophic birth injury, the defense contested everything and offered $10 million on the first day of trial. Amy and her clients declined. After a three-week trial, the jury returned a remarkable verdict: $28 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages. Amy reflects on the rare gravity of seeking punitive damages in a med-mal case and the responsibility of asking a jury to “send a message.”
Beyond the wins, Amy and Erica share a grounded definition of success—resisting growth for growth’s sake, staying hands-on as trial lawyers, and building a firm rooted in autonomy, integrity, and values. The episode ends with rapid-fire questions that reveal their humor and humanity, underscoring that behind the verdicts are two lawyers committed to preparation, heart, and doing the work the right way.
