Eric Sanchez – Maestro Strategic Partners

Meet Eric Sanchez: Leader and Innovator

From U.S. Marine to Legal Delivery Systems Architect, Eric holds over 25 U.S. patents and was a key contributor to a $1.25 billion class action settlement.

Eric Sanchez is a seasoned professional with an impressive track record. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Eric developed strong leadership skills and a solid work ethic that has fueled his success in the years to come. For over two decades, he led one of the largest and most successful plaintiffs’ practices in the Southeast. He was the chief architect for many of the firm’s core systems. His greatest work was in In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, Case No. 08-mc-0511 (PLF) (D.D.C.). In addition to overseeing the firm’s client outreach, legislative, and administrative operations on this case, Eric served as class counsel’s point person for many issues including data analysis, technology, and client communication. His work was specifically cited in the Court’s opinion which resulted in a settlement of $1.25 Billion dollars and maximum fee award of nearly $100 Million dollars. Eric’s unique approach to problem-solving, combined with his passion for technology, led him to found the legal technology company, GrowPath. He is a proven innovator with over 25 U.S. patents under his belt. Prior to his work in the legal services and technology space, Eric was a licensed pastor in a church located in California’s Silicon Valley. During his five years of service, he worked with youth and adults, as well as oversaw the administrative affairs of the church. He holds a M.A. in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University as well as a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration from the California State University, Hayward (East Bay).

Diverse Experience and Legendary Results

United States Marine Corps

Eric enlisted in the United States Marine Corps a day after he tuned eighteen. At 5’2” and only 112 pounds, it’s no wonder Eric’s mother did not want him to join the Marines. He ended up completing boot camp and graduated as one of the top recruits serving as its first squad leader. In those three months, gained 13 pounds of muscle, weighing 125 pounds and seemingly six feet tall; the Marine Corps instilled in Eric drive and initiative, always focusing on “how it can be done,” never “why it can’t.” The character and discipline instilled by the Marine Corps permeates all that Eric does, personally and professionally. Eric was honorably discharged as a Corporal and was honorably discharged. During his service, Eric graduated from Marine Combat Training, the United States Navy’s Aviation Electrician School, as well as several naval programs related to avionics. He says, “Of all that I have accomplished professionally, there is nothing of which I am more proud than becoming a United States Marine.”

Community Service

While in college, Eric served as an intern at a church in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he was eventually hired as a Youth Pastor in 1995. His first, full-time, salaried position paid $16,900.00; he still has the offer letter hanging in his office to remind him how far he’s come. Eric worked as hard in the ministry as he has in any role, literally working well in excess of 80 hours per week doing whatever was required. From organizing countless youth trips to Disneyland, outreaches to rural parts of Mexico, and backpacking in Yosemite, all of this logistical work would come in handy later in Eric’s career. Eric also transitioned from his graduate work in psychology and attended seminary in Canada for weeks at a time over several years. Eric shifted into an administrative role in the church, where he oversaw the church’s first acquisition of its own building. This was Eric’s first experience in grass-roots lobby work and fundraising, which would also serve as great, initial experience for challenges to come later in his career.

Law Firm Administration

In 2000, Eric relocated from California to North Carolina, taking a job at a very small personal injury law firm; he was employee number six. Today, the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is the largest personal injury firm in North Carolina and widely regarded as one of the most efficient, well-run law firms in the country. Throughout his time at Farrin, the firm progressively grew in nearly every conceivable measure despite being saddled with contributory negligence. Eric is the architect of many core systems and processes in use by the firm today and has managed nearly every department including, intake, case management, etc.

In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation

Eric is perhaps best known for his seminal work in managing the grass-roots lobby effort, case management, and claims process administration for the massive class action, In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, Case No. 08-mc-0511 (PLF) (D.D.C.). The “Black Farmer Case” as it became known, involved a potential class that was initially 100,000 individuals across the United States. He was given the nickname, “maestro” for his work in planning and orchestrating a number of events carried on major television and cable networks, countless newspapers and the Internet. The events brought attention to the plight of the claimants and not only created the necessary political pressure it also key the issue in the public eye. He was invited to the White House to witness President Obama’s signing of the Claims Resolution Act of 2010 which appropriated the funds necessary to resolve the case. He was tasked with designing and executing a claims process which resulted in 384 meetings across 66 cities in 23 states and in Washington, D.C. – all in only 180 days. The Black Farmer case settled for $1.25 billion and his work was specifically referenced in the court’s opinion which awarded the maximum amount of attorneys’ fees.

Education

Eric completed numerous technical school while serving on active duty, and, while serving in the reserve component of the Marine Corps, Eric completed his undergraduate degree at the California State University at Hayward (East Bay) where he received a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration. Eric also possess a M.A. in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University, where he was featured by the school as an “Alumni Story” for his work in the Black Farmer Case. He has also completed extensive post-graduate work in psychology and theology.

Legal Technology

Taking the lessons learned in the Black Farmer Case, where Eric had to build and design his own databases to work the firm’s-then archaic SQL-based case management system, Eric also founded the intake and case management company, GrowPath. At GrowPath he served as the company’s Chief Product Officer and Chief Innovation Officer. He is a named inventor on more than 25 technical patents ranging from marketing analytics, cybersecurity, database management and email routing. Eric has since exited from GrowPath but has been sought as a consultant on technical products within legal technology and other areas.

Today...

Eric founded Maestro Strategic Partners to get back to his “first love” of law firm operations and using data to improve law firms. He is available for a wide range of consulting services, ranging from nearly anything confronting the modern personal injury firm, from operations to marketing and technology. Maestro offers an array of engagement options including project-based, retainer, fractional COO work, and on-demand consulting needs; a market exclusive option is also available.

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