Everyone Needs a Friend

When I began my corporate legal career with Humana in March 1985 I had much to learn about healthcare and the practice of healthcare law. Fortunately, God put many experienced and wise colleagues around me to guide and direct my understanding of healthcare law and Humana’s healthcare business. One specific attorney took me under her wing for much needed coaching and mentoring. No one would have predicted this highly unlikely mentorship as we had very different religious, philosophical, political, and world view perspectives. How does one explain this occurrence? I believe God’s common grace in Scripture is the only plausible explanation. James 1:17 states that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” I believe the presence of God’s common grace is often ignored and missed in the lives of Believers. This should not be the case. If the fabric holding our country together seems fragile, just imagine what it would be like without God’s common grace!

I am confident that I benefited greatly from this mentorship. One word of advice I received in this mentorship stands out clearly. “Every lawyer will make mistakes on occasion, so make sure that you have friends in your corner when that happens”. This advice served me incredibly well throughout my professional career. I have also found that this is a principle which has broad application in almost every area of society. This is especially the case today for Corporate America.

At a recent legal continuing education workshop, one of the instructors was discussing a trend in jury verdicts against American corporations. This trend has resulted in awarding huge and often unheard-of monetary awards against American corporations in civil litigation which the instructor termed “reptile verdicts.” The instructor cited the fact that the plaintiffs’ bar invests substantial time and money in developing litigation skills and strategy that attorneys defending the corporations do not have the time or the financial resources to expend. I am sure that the instructor has a valid point, but I believe there is another important factor in play with these out-size jury verdicts which may be under the radar but is still very real.

It is my view that Corporate America has lost standing and good will among many hard-working ordinary Americans where there is a growing sense that much of Corporate America ignores and, in many cases, disdains the traditional values held by most Americans. While it’s easy to point to the Bud Light misadventure with Dylan Mulvaney and Target with Gay Pride merchandise displayed near children’s clothing, I would submit that the issue goes much deeper than this. Until a recent pause by many corporations on “DEI worship” which I discussed in my June 28, 2025, blog, much of Corporate America has been an enthusiastic supporter of all things DEI and has in many cases pushed DEI relentlessly upon its employees, vendors, and other constituencies with the subtle and sometimes not so subtle message of “get in line with DEI or go home.”  Time will tell if the recent pause or some version of a pause is lasting and sustainable. Is it any surprise that this approach by much of Corporate America has offended many ordinary hard-working Americans as they go about raising families, worshipping in church, working hard at their jobs, treating neighbors and colleagues at work with respect, while also contributing to the well-being of their communities? Is it any surprise that ordinary hard-working Americans empaneled on a jury hearing a case against a corporate defendant in a civil litigation case are not inclined to give the corporation the benefit of the doubt on the issue being litigated?  Does it make sense for Corporations and their CEOs to consider the world view of ordinary hard-working Americans in their relationship with and treatment of their customers, employees, and vendors? How about with respect to their marketing and advertisements? Does it make sense for Corporations and their CEOs to limit advocacy on cultural and public policy issues to those issues which directly impact the success of their business? Wonder if Elon Musk has a view on this question after his service as the leader of DOGE? Wonder how the Board of Directors and Shareholders at Tesla feel about Mr. Musk’s animated service on DOGE and in particular his dancing with a chain saw while on center stage at a DOGE news conference?

Does anyone doubt that it is a good thing to have friends in your corner along with a reservoir of good will when you make mistakes and have your character and reputation on the line? Does this principle also apply to Corporate America? Wonder if Proverbs 26:17 has anything to offer Corporate America on cultural and public policy advocacy with its admonition that “Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.” Does anyone believe that this message will get through to Corporate America?  

God bless you and thank you for the privilege of your time in reading my blog.