Building Power Through Purpose with Amy Gunn & Erica Slater
In Episode 27 (Part 1) of Verdicts & Vogue, host Cristina Perez Hesano sits down with trial attorneys Amy Gunn and Erica Slater, co-founders of Gunn | Slater, for an honest conversation about leadership, mentorship, and building a legal career rooted in purpose.
Amy reflects on nearly 30 years in practice, sharing her evolution from defense work to plaintiff-side litigation and firm ownership. She speaks candidly about recognizing when a professional environment no longer aligned with her values, and how choosing work that centered people and families brought greater fulfillment—especially while balancing motherhood and a demanding career.
Erica traces her path from early exposure at a plaintiff’s firm to insurance defense after law school, where she gained valuable skills but ultimately felt constrained by a lack of autonomy and representation. A pivotal realization—that she didn’t see leaders she aspired to become—pushed her to seek a different path, leading to a professional reunion with Amy and the decision to launch their own firm.
Together, they examine the persistent gap between the number of women entering law and the few who reach leadership and equity roles. The discussion underscores how visibility, mentorship, and simply stepping into leadership spaces can reshape what future generations believe is possible. Both attorneys highlight mentorship and service as essential to strengthening the profession and communities alike.
The episode closes with a clear message: leadership is intentional. By choosing alignment, investing in others, and stepping forward when representation is lacking, Amy Gunn and Erica Slater show how to build lasting impact—through integrity, presence, and purposeful action, not just verdicts.
