Corp America February 2017

14 CORP AMERICA / FEBRUARY 2017 , Stephen G Cobb is a Certified Criminal Trial Law Specialist, based in Florida, and operating under the name of Cobb Law. Stephen tells us a little bit about the firm, his areas of specialism and his determinedmantra which has become integral to his success. Find a Way or Make One “SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) mitigation in criminal cases is extremely rare. In addition to being a certified criminal trial law specialist, I have done more SPECT brain imaging cases than any other criminal defense lawyer on the planet. This makes my market the entire state of Florida. “My role within the law firm is to design specific systems and ensure that each system operates in the most effective manner possible for each client. In many law firms, the attorney is the system. While it worked for Grandpa’s law firm circa 1985, the big ego “Super Lawyer” model is a failure path now. In today’s increasingly high-tech world, the system is the secret.” Stephen is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney who handles a wide variety of criminal cases throughout the state of Florida. He was born and raised in Northwest Florida, living in cities such as Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, Cantonment, Okaloosa Island, Shalimar and Crestview. He is dedicated to helping the people in and around the First Judicial Circuit of Florida to receive the best possible results in their criminal cases. By dedicating his law practice exclusively to criminal defense, Stephen has guided numerous clients to successful outcomes in their cases. He has litigated more than 10,000 criminal cases in Florida, ranging from DUI to first degree murder. No charge is too minor or too severe to be handled by the law firm of Stephen G. Cobb. He is a life member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In 2002, the Florida Bar Association recognized him as a Certified Criminal Trial Law Specialist, which is the highest level of recognition by that association, and he was recertified in 2007. Stephen has practiced criminal defense law since July 2, 1990, after completing four degrees. “I really wanted to go to medical school,” he laughs, “but as my late father put it: “Son, you have four degrees including your doctorate - get a job!”” Stephen’s high level of education has seen him move swiftly through his career to the prestigious position he holds today. He walks us through just a few of his favourite moments. “My educational degrees are in Computer Technology, Electronics Technology, History and Law. I had the good fortune to get fired from my first job after refusing to write an unethically frivolous appellate brief, and began practicing criminal law with the Office of the Public Defender July 2, 1990. After multiple quick promotions, I went into private practice October 1, 1997, the same year I won my first Capital Case jury trial. Previously, I had a murder case dismissed along with several other major felony cases, but this was the first Capital Case won at a jury trial. In August of 2002 I was certified as a specialist in criminal trial law by the Florida Bar and recertified as a specialist every five years since my original certification.” Stephen is a realist and adheres to many key principles when it comes to managing his clients and ensuring his continued success. “The master success system and all of the sub-systems a law firm utilizes is the biggest difference maker,” he says. “Here is an example: take a male defendant out of a navy suit, allow him to grow any amount of facial hair, and the rate of conviction shoots up over 25%. Yet I still hear lawyers tell their clients to “dress nice for court” outside of the courtroom just after they have announced “ready for trial.” 20th century advice in a 21st century world. None of my clients ever get such bad, ignorant advice. Instead, they get specific instructions from our sub-system, Dress Instructions for Court. There is no second place in a jury trial. People’s lives and futures are on the line.” 6. What challenges have you had to face and overcome throughout your career? And how has this impacted upon your view on how to run a company However it hasn’t all been plain sailing for Stephen and he shares a personal experience which threatened not only his career, but also his life. It was a situation which had a huge impact on Stephen and his career, but which proved to make him stronger and more determined than ever to succeed. “In 2005, a routine blood test resulted in a diagnosis of prostate cancer,” he confides. “For most men, prostate cancer is something they die with, not die from. In my case, my original diagnosis was basically “there is nothing we can do for you. You are going to die.” After several days of being one of the walking dead, I snapped to a new level of determination and decided that I would Find A Way Or Make One: FAWOMO. “FAWOMO is how I run my law firm and my life. There will always be challenges. Life tries to kill you from the day you are born. Those who thrive find a way or make one. I am not a cancer survivor. I am a cancer ‘thriver’. There is difference. I am not disabled by missing internal parts. I think of myself as ‘super-abled’ because I gained a superior peak performance psychology which I share with clients and their loved ones through our sub-system, Coping with Stress During Criminal Prosecution.” Keeping up with industry trends is all part and parcel of the high-profile role which Stephen occupies. “Techniques change every minute. Principles endure. The highly effective law firm uses the best techniques consistently in congruence with the wisdom of long term principles. “Adapt or die.” Stephen is without a doubt a formidable business leader and shares with us the key attributes which he believes have led him to his success. 1701CA05