Lawsuits & Lessons

John Fagerholm
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Join John Fagerholm, a veteran California employment defense lawyer with over 20 years dedicated solely to defending employers and entrepreneurs from the state’s complex labor regulations. With more than a thousand employer-defense cases under his belt, he knows the laws inside out, and he’s not afraid to tell the stories that hit hardest.Alongside is Steve Cooper, the award-winning host of CooperTalk and The Coop Tank, known for his unscripted, organic conversations with top entertainers and business leaders. With over a decade of podcast experience and a background in stand-up comedy, Steve brings wit, warmth, and a keen ear for storytelling.Together, John and Steve tackle real employment law challenges, from harassment and retaliation to wage disputes, with sharp insight and unexpected humor. Expect true case stories, expert advice, and a conversational tone that keeps it both professional and entertaining.Perfect for business owners, legal professionals, or anyone curious about workplace law, Lawsuits & Lessons delivers clarity, protection tips, and a few laughs along the way.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    From the Hood to the Helm: Building Opportunity Through Strategy with Omar Hernandez

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, sit down with longtime friend and entrepreneur Omar Hernandez, President of Global Urban Strategies. Omar shares his powerful journey from growing up in Nickerson Gardens in South Central Los Angeles to serving in the U.S. Marines, earning his MBA from USC, and building a nationally respected consulting firm that has helped secure over $1 billion in grants for municipalities, school districts, and public agencies. The conversation weaves together entrepreneurship, military discipline, marketing, government contracts, and the legal realities of running people-heavy businesses in California. Along the way, John and Omar unpack lessons on risk, hiring, prevailing wage laws, AI’s role in modern work, and what it really means to build something that outlives you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Omar Hernandez used the military as a launchpad to education and entrepreneurship Why entrepreneurship doesn’t shut off, even during holidays The realities of building and scaling a service-based business in California How Global Urban Strategies helps cities and businesses secure federal and state funding Common legal pitfalls in government contracts and prevailing wage work Why hiring slowly and intentionally can save businesses years of pain The human side of leadership, legacy, and transitioning ownership How AI can support work without replacing experience, nuance, or judgment Advice for young entrepreneurs who feel stuck or overwhelmedHosts: John Fagerholm — Employment Defense Attorney & Business Advocate Website: defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper — Comedian & Veteran Podcaster Website: coopertalk.net Guest: Omar Hernandez — President, Global Urban Strategies  Website: www.global-urban.com Subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Every other week, John and Steve break down real business stories, real legal risks, and real lessons entrepreneurs can actually use — with just enough humor to keep it human.

    47 min

  2. DEC 11

    From Poverty to Portfolio Power: The Financial Journey of George Nelson

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, joins co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, to welcome lifelong friend and financial advisor George Nelson. George shares his remarkable story — from growing up in deep poverty, surrounded by addiction, instability, and hardship, to becoming a successful financial planner who now helps families across the country build lasting wealth. With honesty and insight, he reflects on the early experiences that shaped him, the moment he realized he wanted a different life, and the risks he took to build a career in finance. The conversation spans entrepreneurship, wealth building, mindset, and the realities facing young people today. John and George break down modern financial challenges, the disappearing middle class, and how taxation and regulation affect the ability to build wealth — especially in states like California. They also explore practical tools like life insurance, estate leverage, and disciplined investing, with John sharing how he personally uses his whole life policy as an investment engine for real estate. This episode is full of real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and actionable insight — especially for anyone who didn’t start life with a safety net but is determined to create one. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How George Nelson transformed a childhood shaped by poverty and addiction into a foundation for success Why early adversity can spark lifelong ambition George’s path from day trader to model to financial advisor The truth about term, universal, and whole life insurance How John uses his policy to fund real estate investments without banks Why saving even $50–$100 a month can change your entire financial future The disappearing middle class and why younger generations feel financially hopeless The difference between building wealth in California vs. other states How risk fuels entrepreneurship — and why fear can actually be productive The power of discipline, creativity, and self-belief when starting from nothingHosts: John Fagerholm — defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper — coopertalk.net Guest: George Nelson — Financial Advisor  📩 georgehnelson6@gmail.com  📩 gnelson@ft.nyl.com Subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more real-world conversations about entrepreneurship, law, money, and the lessons that shape us. New episodes drop every other week — tune in and learn while you laugh.

    47 min

  3. NOV 27

    From Hardship to Hospitality: The Entrepreneurial Rise of Sean Tipton

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, joins co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, to sit down with lifelong entrepreneur Sean Tipton. Sean shares his journey from a challenging childhood to building a multimillion-dollar healthcare company, and now, developing Oak Fire Ridge — a stunning social and sports club in Texas that blends hospitality, community, and design. Along the way, the conversation explores resilience, risk-taking, and the realities of building businesses that last. The trio dives deep into entrepreneurship, law, and leadership — from founding Airrosti to navigating bureaucracy, managing legal challenges, and defining what true hospitality really means. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Sean Tipton turned early adversity into entrepreneurial drive The story behind Airrosti and its rise to industry success Why hospitality is more than service — it’s participation What makes Oak Fire Ridge a new model for social and sports clubs Legal insights on permits, liquor licenses, and business regulation Why risk and fear often fuel great entrepreneurs John’s take on bureaucracy in California vs. Texas business environments How empathy and integrity shape great legal partnershipsHosts: John Fagerholm — defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper — coopertalk.net Guest: Sean Tipton — Entrepreneur and founder of Oak Fire Ridge Website: oakfireridge.com Subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube for more real-world stories of entrepreneurship, law, and leadership. Every other week, John and Steve bring the lessons — and the laughs — straight to your feed.

    39 min

  4. NOV 13

    From New York Nightlife to Nike Basketball: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Alexander Wilson

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, welcome longtime entrepreneur and business partner Alexander Wilson. From New York’s private school scene to launching legendary nightclub experiences and eventually building a Nike-sponsored youth basketball academy, Alexander shares how his early experiences in hospitality, entertainment, and networking shaped his unique approach to entrepreneurship. The conversation explores everything from his collaborations with music industry icons to his work helping young athletes develop both on and off the court — and how technology, NIL, and blockchain are changing the future of youth sports. The trio also dive into deeper discussions on the balance between capitalism and socialism, the challenges of operating businesses in different states, and how mindset defines the modern entrepreneur. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Alexander turned New York nightlife connections into lasting business success The origins of his Nike-sponsored Proformance Hawaii basketball academy Why entrepreneurial skills from hospitality translate into sports and tech ventures How NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) deals are reshaping youth sports The role of AI and blockchain in future athlete scouting and sponsorship What socialism vs. capitalism means for business owners today Why California’s business environment differs from states like Texas John’s legal insights on ownership, regulation, and free market systems If you’re an entrepreneur, innovator, or sports business enthusiast, subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes every other week — tune in for more real stories and legal lessons from the front lines of business. Hosts: John Fagerholm — defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper — coopertalk.net Guest: Alexander Wilson — Founder of Proformance Hawaii and youth basketball entrepreneur Website: proformancehawaii.com

    41 min

  5. OCT 30

    From Lunch Tickets to Lawsuits: The Entrepreneur’s Journey

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, dive deep into what it really takes to survive as an entrepreneur in today’s business climate. With their guest postponed, John and Steve use the time to share real stories, legal lessons, and personal insights from decades of experience in business, law, and life. From childhood hustles and early entrepreneurial instincts to the impact of bad policy and costly lawsuits, this candid conversation reveals why so many California business owners are packing up and heading to Texas. They also unpack a shocking sports scandal, explore the ripple effects of new “wage theft” laws, and discuss how legal overreach can crush small businesses — plus, what smart founders can do to protect themselves before it’s too late. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why entrepreneurship is often born, not made — and how John learned business from a young ageHow risk, money, and discipline separate successful founders from the restThe dangers of California’s “wage theft” law and why it punishes honest employersWhat business owners need to know about workers’ comp abuse and fraudulent claimsHow personal liability laws can expose owners — even when they’re incorporatedWhy Texas is the top state for business and California ranks lastThe best legal structure for your business: LLC, S-Corp, or something elsePractical advice for new entrepreneurs on building legal protection earlyHosts: John Fagerholm: defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper: coopertalk.net Call to Action: If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or just curious about the intersection of law and leadership, subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every other week — and don’t miss the next episode featuring Mark Kreiner, the former Tapout CEO with stories from the wild side of business and branding.

    35 min

  6. OCT 16

    CR Celona on Risk, AI, and the Human Side of Entrepreneurship

    In this episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and co-host Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, sit down with serial entrepreneur CR Celona — a visionary who helped pioneer influencer marketing with his company Speaker and now leads innovation in the AI-powered creative space. John and Steve dive deep into CR’s journey from early tech startup successes to building CreatorUp, an AI-driven content platform partnered with Google, Harvard, and UCLA. They explore how risk tolerance fuels entrepreneurship, what lessons come from scaling too fast, and how to balance innovation with ethics in the era of AI. The conversation flows from startup war stories to legal insights on liability, employee risk, and even a timely discussion of how CTE and class actions shape today’s legal headlines. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How risk tolerance defines entrepreneurship — and why failure can be the best teacherThe rise (and fall) of Speaker and what it taught about scaling responsiblyHow AI is transforming creative industries and where the legal gray areas lieWhat every startup founder should know about protecting their business legallyWhen companies are liable for employee actions — and when they’re notWhy mentorship, relationships, and trust matter more than transactionsHow to “give your lawyer carry” — and why early legal partnerships pay offHosts: John Fagerholm: defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper: coopertalk.net Guest: CR Celona: Entrepreneur, AI innovator, and founder at CreatorUp — find him on LinkedIn or by searching “CR Celona” across platforms. If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or just fascinated by where tech and law collide, subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes every other week — and if you enjoyed this one, share it with someone who loves smart conversation and startup stories with real-world legal lessons.

    39 min

  7. OCT 1

    Marvin V. Acuna on Reinvention, Partnerships & Playing Offense in Business

    In Episode 2 of Lawsuits & Lessons, host John Fagerholm (employment defense attorney & entrepreneur) and co-host Steve Cooper welcome multi-hyphenate creator Marvin V. Acuna—film/TV producer, restaurateur, and founder of MoBal. Marvin shares how Hollywood producing skills (planning, logistics, relationships) translate to building scalable companies, why discipline (mind, body, workflow) is a competitive edge, and how he defended his rights when a partner tried to cut him out of a studio deal. John adds legal context on California employer risk, First Amendment myths at work, and why smart hiring beats fixing bad fits. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How producing films maps to leading and scaling any businessWhy daily discipline (meditation, fitness, workflow) creates calm under pressurePractical uses of AI to reclaim time and improve decisionsThe partnership playbook: red flags, role clarity, and enforcing your rightsJohn’s legal take: free speech vs. private employment—what’s actually protectedCalifornia realities: wage/hour & FEHA claims, arbitration tradeoffs, and settlement mathHiring truths: it’s easier to hire right than to fire wrongPricing vs. wages: the squeeze small operators face when costs riseHosts: John Fagerholm: defendmybiz.com Steve Cooper: coopertalk.net Call to Action: If you’re a founder, owner, or HR pro who wants real stories and actionable takeaways, follow and subscribe to Lawsuits & Lessons on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes every other week—leave a quick rating/review to help other business owners find the show!

    43 min

  8. SEP 18

    From Lawsuits to Law: John Fagerholm’s Entrepreneurial Journey

    In the premiere episode of Lawsuits & Lessons, co-hosts John Fagerholm, employment defense attorney and business advocate, and Steve Cooper, comedian and veteran podcaster, sit down to share John’s story — from Navy firebrand and serial entrepreneur to entertainment lawyer, and ultimately, a defender of business owners in California’s high-stakes legal climate. Steve and John dive into how lawsuits shaped John’s career path, the hustle of starting a law firm from scratch, landing Curtis Blow as his first client, and why he left the music industry to champion employers against California’s ever-growing wave of employee lawsuits. Along the way, they explore what makes a good litigator, the role of creativity in defense strategy, and why John believes entrepreneurship is more “wolf” than “dog.” What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How repeated lawsuits inspired John to become a lawyer himselfThe surprising story of how Curtis Blow became his first clientWhy John shifted from entertainment law to employment defenseHow California law stacks the deck against business owners — and what that means for employersThe mindset and creativity it takes to be an effective litigatorJohn’s entrepreneurial philosophy, from living on credit cards to building a thriving practiceWhy social media can be both a weapon and a liability in modern lawsuitsWhat to expect from upcoming Lawsuits & Lessons episodesHosts: John Fagerholm: defendmybiz.comSteve Cooper: coopertalk.net

    43 min

  9. SEP 4

    Introducing Lawsuits & Lessons

    Welcome to Lawsuits & Lessons! In this trailer, you’ll meet your hosts: John Fagerholm, an employment defense attorney and business advocate who knows the ins and outs of workplace law, and Steve Cooper, a veteran comedian and podcast host who knows nothing about the law but plenty about keeping things entertaining. Together, John and Steve break down real workplace issues, dive into bizarre legal cases, and decode the ever-confusing world of employment law — all with a fun, refreshing twist. Whether you manage five employees or five hundred, sooner or later, you’ll run into a legal issue. That’s where Lawsuits & Lessons come in. This isn’t your average HR seminar. It’s candid, engaging, and packed with stories you’ll actually remember — plus the lessons that could save your business. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the first full episode!

    1 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Join John Fagerholm, a veteran California employment defense lawyer with over 20 years dedicated solely to defending employers and entrepreneurs from the state’s complex labor regulations. With more than a thousand employer-defense cases under his belt, he knows the laws inside out, and he’s not afraid to tell the stories that hit hardest.Alongside is Steve Cooper, the award-winning host of CooperTalk and The Coop Tank, known for his unscripted, organic conversations with top entertainers and business leaders. With over a decade of podcast experience and a background in stand-up comedy, Steve brings wit, warmth, and a keen ear for storytelling.Together, John and Steve tackle real employment law challenges, from harassment and retaliation to wage disputes, with sharp insight and unexpected humor. Expect true case stories, expert advice, and a conversational tone that keeps it both professional and entertaining.Perfect for business owners, legal professionals, or anyone curious about workplace law, Lawsuits & Lessons delivers clarity, protection tips, and a few laughs along the way.

Information

  • Creator
    John Fagerholm
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Lawsuits & Lessons
  • Show Website
    Lawsuits & Lessons