Lawsuits & Lessons
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.
Lawsuits & Lessons
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 business
- Why daily discipline (meditation, fitness, workflow) creates calm under pressure
- Practical uses of AI to reclaim time and improve decisions
- The partnership playbook: red flags, role clarity, and enforcing your rights
- John’s legal take: free speech vs. private employment—what’s actually protected
- California realities: wage/hour & FEHA claims, arbitration tradeoffs, and settlement math
- Hiring truths: it’s easier to hire right than to fire wrong
- Pricing vs. wages: the squeeze small operators face when costs rise
Hosts:
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!