‘I do not like bullies’: Meet the Philly lawyer who helped take down Alex Murdaugh – Insurance coverage Information

Mar. 10—When Alex Murdaugh was convicted this month of murdering his spouse and son in a extremely publicized trial that riveted the nation, lawyer Eric Bland was fast to tweet that he was “not gloating as a result of this can be very unhappy.” However he additionally needed everybody to know that “Karma is you recognize what. Justice gained.”

Overlook Southern gentility. Regardless of spending greater than 30 years in South Carolina, the Philly-born-and-bred lawyer stays a bit brash.

Murdaugh, was a fourth-generation lawyer who hailed from a South Carolina authorized dynasty within the small city of Hampton. Now sentenced to life in jail and disbarred, he’s additionally implicated in a widening scandal that many see for instance of how the rich and highly effective elude justice. Along with the homicide of his spouse and son, Murdaugh has been accused of bilking indigent shoppers out of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} and of hiring somebody to kill him in order that his remaining son may benefit from his life insurance coverage coverage.

Bland, a malpractice lawyer, helped convey Murdaugh’s misdeeds into the nationwide highlight. He represented and gained settlements for 5 households who accused Murdaugh of stealing settlement cash they acquired whereas Murdaugh represented them. He’s a cohost of the favored podcast Cup of Justice, together with journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell.

He is additionally a talker (“strain breaks pipes,” he explains) and held so many interviews about Murdaugh that Murdaugh’s attorneys sought a gag order in opposition to him in November. (The movement was dismissed, however an accompanying grievance continues to be pending, Bland stated.)

Throughout the homicide trial, Bland proudly stated he gave 178 interviews; he is develop into one thing of a celeb amongst true-crime followers.

Born in Norristown, Bland used to ship The Inquirer and the Philadelphia Bulletin earlier than college. After graduating from Plymouth Whitemarsh Excessive College in 1981, he moved to South Carolina. A Villanova fan with a penchant for cheesesteaks from Dalessandro’s and Pudge’s, Bland continues to sport a thick Philly accent.

We sat down with him for interview 179. It has been edited for size and readability.

What was your response while you realized this esteemed lawyer had stolen cash from his shoppers?

Shock and disbelief. I’ve sued over 250 attorneys and regulation companies in my profession. I by no means had anyone outright steal a whole settlement from a consumer, and definitely not $4.3 million. I actually was shocked.

Did being an outsider aid you tackle highly effective folks in South Carolina?

It did, as a result of I did not go to their nation golf equipment. I wasn’t part of the “in” crowd on the bar. I did not have the relationships, so there was much less of a reticence on my half to sue attorneys for malpractice. It wasn’t a well-liked factor to do to sue attorneys. It was nearly extraordinary down right here.

How did your Philly childhood affect the way you act within the courtroom?

I simply do not again down. I used to be bullied as a child. So I do not like bullies. I do not like folks that wield their energy on the powerless. And I do not like folks that allow energy go to their heads. My dad misplaced his job after I was 16 years previous and it had an enduring impact on me.

I discovered you gotta combat to get within the door. I am going to provide you with a bit of anecdote about how I acquired my first job. I graduated within the high of my regulation class right here in South Carolina. And I needed to come back again as much as Philadelphia.

So I wrote all the main regulation companies in Philadelphia and acquired nowhere. So then I began calling. Lastly I spoke with a hiring associate at one of many main companies and he stated, “Nicely, we do not recruit from colleges like that.”

So I instantly pivoted and stated, “Nicely, the rationale I am calling you is as a result of I’ve an interview subsequent Thursday with [a rival law firm].” As quickly as he heard that, he stated, “Nicely, what time is your interview?” And I stated, “Two o’clock.” He stated, “Nicely, we’ll interview you at 10.” So then I name the rival regulation agency and I stated, “I’ve an interview together with your rival.” That is how I began out after regulation college working for one of many premier regulation companies in Philadelphia.

I would not be the place I’m if I did not develop up in Philadelphia, that is for certain. Philadelphia is ingrained in me and a part of my DNA.

And you recognize, I like South Carolina, however they cannot make a hoagie.

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