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
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 age
- How risk, money, and discipline separate successful founders from the rest
- The dangers of California’s “wage theft” law and why it punishes honest employers
- What business owners need to know about workers’ comp abuse and fraudulent claims
- How personal liability laws can expose owners — even when they’re incorporated
- Why Texas is the top state for business and California ranks last
- The best legal structure for your business: LLC, S-Corp, or something else
- Practical advice for new entrepreneurs on building legal protection early
Hosts:
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.