Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network. For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, Stuart Gerson of Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. in Washington, D.C.
In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
Representing corporations, many of them in health care and finance, in federal civil and criminal litigations and investigations, at both the trial and appellate levels, in areas including the defense of fraud, securities and antitrust matters, and where the United States government is often the opposing party.
Who would be your typical client?
A corporation, its management or board of directors, often involved in the business of health care, insurance or finance, and subject to a government investigation or private fraud suit.
What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
That I believe the law is a service business and that the client’s interests must be served, and that we win for our clients.
What has been your most challenging case? Why?
I once tried a criminal antitrust case in which there were originally 24 defendants. 23 of them pleaded guilty or nolo contendere, and many of them testified against my client, who insisted upon his and his company’s innocence. Notwithstanding the mass of the government’s case, the jury returned a verdict of acquittal.
What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
Serving first as Assistant and then Acting Attorney General of the United States, working directly with Presidents of both parties.
What do you do when you’re not practicing law?
Active sports including running, tennis and fly fishing, and reading history and science.
What would surprise people most about you?
That I am a Lay Eucharistic Minister in the Episcopal Church.
What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
Clearly it has been forming close personal, family and professional relationships with excellent lawyers, particularly, in my case, in Europe and Scandanavia.
What career would you have chosen if you weren’t a lawyer?
Cosmology.
If a movie were made out of your life, who would you want to play you?
My son; it would be a suitable revenge.
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who did his best to contribute to society and his profession.