Magna Through the Years – Photos and Client Q&A

MAGNA THROUGH THE YEARS

It has been an incredible ride since we started out in 2007. First, we would like to thank YOU, because we never could have gone this far without you and the rest of our amazing clients.

As we look forward into the years to come, take a trip down memory lane with exclusive archival shots from Magna’s history below. Dive even deeper with the following Q&As from some of our longest standing clients, conducted by Founding Partner and Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Peter Hecht!

---

Magna LS and Blank Rome have a relationship that’s even greater than our 19th anniversary. Can you share some of that history, including the fact that your firm handled our corporate formation?

Blank Rome and Magna go back decades together, starting with our close friendship with Bob Ackerman, from his days at Krauss, Katz and Ackerman. We were thrilled to help Bob Ackerman and his partners form Magna in 2007. Although we knew Bob would always find success, we have still been amazed and proud to watch Magna grow by orders of magnitude—due to its client service, technology advancements, and acquisitions—into the national trial support behemoth that it is today. Magna is creative, inventive and always forward-looking, including by inventing new technologies to prepare for changes in the industry, where Blank Rome is helping Magna secure patents and other IP protections to keep Magna growing for decades to come.

We know you are one of the most prolific trial attorneys in the country… tell us how we have been able to support you in your wins?

Magna is an invaluable partner in my trial practice, and their role has grown over time as I have learned just how many things Magna does well. From deposition court reporting and videography to mock juries, records review, trial strategy consulting, editing deposition videos for trial, graphics for trial, opening statement and closing argument presentations, hot seat operators in the courtroom (who also help with exhibit prep and graphics, and are really like a shadow juror in the room), and more. I have Dan Poletti and Peter on speed dial and love working with Magna. They have my back, move quickly, and are indispensable.

Lastly, you are a frequent presenter and speaker at both Magna’s Battle of the Experts and our March “CLE” Madness JuryGame. Which one is your favorite and why? 

I love them both, and it’s a close call. The fact that the Magna CLE’s move quickly, involve a real jury and sometimes a comedian mixed in (so everyone remembers this is for fun), a case pattern that is familiar to the trial lawyers in the room, a few lawyers like me willing to embarrass themselves in front of 200 peers, and a chance to learn about Magna’s jury consulting and graphics expertise. If forced to choose, I would go with the Battle of the Experts, because it’s a great name, and the experts are always interesting people with amazing backgrounds, getting on stage and trying to survive a cross on the fly—it’s just fun to watch. More than anything, though, it’s the people who attend the Magna conferences—the great Magna team who we all know, the in-house counsel who speak on panels, the outside counsel who keep coming back and sponsoring the event. 

---

How did you discover Magna or did Magna discover you?

My first memory of Bob Ackerman, who would later go on to become BA – the man, the myth, the legend, was when I was in the District Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia and Bob was a court reporter who I would encounter in City Hall and at various court-related functions. I didn’t know him well during that time, or even when he started Krauss, Katz and Ackerman.

Your firm has been a leader in Philly handling some of the most complex mass tort cases. You chose Magna to support your depositions with our court reporting services. Can you share what that experience has been like over the years?

Brookman Rosenberg Brown & Sandler has been established in the asbestos practice in Philadelphia since its founding in 1984. We had relationships with court reporting companies throughout those years going up to 2007 when Magna opened its doors.  Through a mutual friend, a defense attorney, I got a phone call from Bob Ackerman asking if we could talk. One of the best phone calls I ever got! I told Bob we had a relationship with another court reporting firm that I intended to honor but shortly thereafter, circumstances changed at the court reporting service we were using which allowed me to meet with Bob and change our allegiance to Magna.  From the start, Bob was charming, caring, funny, outgoing, self-deprecating, generous (I have more adjectives to describe him, but you said this was an article, not a treatise). He also emphasized his promise that his new company, Magna, would provide us and our clients with excellent service for a fair price and would always be present to address our needs.  He was a man of his word and our relationship with Bob, Peter Hecht, then Jonathan Ackerman, simply grew and grew, not only professionally but on a close personal level too.

You were both two of Bob Ackerman’s best friends. He loved spending time with you and the rest of the group. Can you share a story about some of those epic lunches or even better, tell us about the formation of “The Corporation”?

Hal Rosenberg and I had been members of Galloway National Golf Club since the day it opened in the mid ‘90s.  We loved it there but because it was only the two of us, we were constantly searching for playing partners. That had to change. I went to the pro, explained our circumstances, he said get a couple of buddies and form a corporation!  That’s exactly what I did. I engaged a couple of defense attorneys, Kevin O’Brien and Bill O’Brien along with a golf addict who dabbled in court reporting named Bob Ackerman. By the way, when we were all at Galloway, he was Bob Ackerman or Bob or Bobby until the caddy master labeled him BA, a perfect nickname that quickly became his moniker. When Bob passed, many of the saddest people I encountered were the staff at Galloway who quickly fell in love with this friendly, outgoing, generous, considerate man who had quickly become one of their favorite Galloway members. The name of our group?  THE CORPORATION!! We couldn’t think of anything more clever. And what fun we had!  Bob was always late for our tee times, showing up with big bottles of Gatorade even though the club provided Gatorade for free on the golf course, putting on his shoes at the first tee, providing us with tips he had learned at 2 am watching the golf channel (chip with a driver, or a 7 wood, or a rescue club) that never worked and the latest in golf equipment.  Who doesn’t want to tee off with a tee that looks like a shaving brush for applying lather.  He said it allowed his tee shots to travel further since there was less friction. A man ahead of his times!

What would you like people to remember about Bob or as you guys affectionately called him, “BA”?

Bob’s generosity knew no bounds.  A trip to Scotland that was unforgettable, so many lunches, so many sporting events and always BA sneaking around trying to make certain he picked up the tab until we just yelled at him “Bob, sit down, it’s someone else’s turn!”

To Bob Ackerman – BA – I simply say thank you, I love you, and I will always, and I mean always, miss you. While I am sad not to have your company, whenever your name comes up, everyone smiles, and tells stories that begin “Hey, do you remember the time Bob…”.

Thank you for this opportunity to relive the joy I was able to share with BA and everyone associated with THE CORPORATION. And to Magna Legal Services, keep doing what Bob and the rest of the guys started, providing unmatched legal services to Philadelphia and now the rest of the country.

Lastly, what word of advice would you share with anyone aspiring to become a Philly trial attorney? 

The greatest pleasures of my professional career have been the opportunity to practice something I love, to represent clients who I respect whether they be the citizens of Philadelphia when I was an Assistant District Attorney or workers and their families who were injured by exposure to asbestos and to associate with people I respect and whose company I enjoy.  My law partners are at the top of that list and so is Magna Legal Services, who provided top-notch assistance to our efforts, whether that be court reporting, trial assistance or providing a place to conduct mediations.

---

How did you discover Magna or did Magna discover you?

It happened organically. It was one of those mutual discovery moments. Magna was the court reporting agency hired by opposing counsel on a case. I liked the “can-do” positive attitude and soon enough Magna was the only vendor my firm would use for ALL litigation support needs. 

I feel like we (Jon and I) crossed the line from a client-based relationship to a true friendship with you fairly quickly. Two questions; did you ever think you’d be buddies with your litigation support vendor and who’s your favorite? 

I would not have expected to develop a deeply genuine and longstanding relationship with a litigation support vendor. However, it is not an unexpected scenario with Magna as I see many with comparable relationships. My favorite is Jon Ackerman – I was his first client!

In addition to founding and running an amazing law firm, you are also the President of the Philadelphia Union League. How do you manage both roles?

Each role is demanding but they are equally energizing. Empowering talented and driven professional staff make it possible for me to manage both roles in ways which support and grow each organization.  

Is the Union League a hub of activity for the Philly legal community?

The Union League is the hub for many professional communities. It is where thought leaders gather to collaborate on how they can help improve our great city from business and civic perspectives.  

Lastly, would I pass the membership test?

The first line of the Union League’s By-Laws state: “All members shall support the Constitution and the free enterprise system.” With some good coaching, I’m confident you could be granted admission.  

Can you tell us about a time that Magna came through for your team when you were in a pickle, jam or an old-fashioned tough situation?

There are many, such as cramming to put together a spectacular PowerPoint to greatly enhance a closing argument. Most recently I had to try a case in Federal Court in Portland, Oregon on the Tuesday following Memorial Day weekend. Over the weekend I learned I needed five sets of extensive exhibit binders in court when Court opened. Ross Suter came to the rescue, the FedEx was waiting for me, and we won the trial.

Lastly, you were also a good friend to Bob Ackerman. You two even traveled to Scotland to golf. What was that like and can you share your favorite Bob memory with us?

I had deep admiration for Bob, and it began shortly after we first met almost 20 years ago.  The trip was special.   Great golf, long conversations, and plenty of laughs.   Bob had an impressive ability to build things people believed in, including companies, ideas, and teams, and to do it over and over again.   Others wanted to invest in him because he earned their trust.   But what I admired most was his fierce love and loyalty to his family, and his ever-present sincere interest in mine.   That was always front and center for Bob, and it said everything about who he was.

---

You are a Magna LS conference celebrity! You hold the all-time record of being a four-time Chopped for CHOP champion. How did you get in the Chopped game and weren’t you nervous coming back each year?

I was incredibly nervous the first year!  I was almost as nervous the following years, but having one under my belt certainly helped.  As for how I got my big break, I attended Chopped as an audience member and had the pleasure of seeing Ted Schaer take the prize.  At the after party, I was chatting with Aileen Schwartz of Hill International. She encouraged me to throw my hat in the ring and collared you as you walked by… the rest is history.

Before Chopped for CHOP what were we doing together? Was it deps, trials or jury consulting? 

Before Chopped for CHOP, I was working with Magna on depositions, graphics and trial tech. I started using Magna heavily when I had a number of exciting preliminary injunction cases in various jurisdictions across the country, involving franchise terminations based on fraud for a major convenience store company. Magna did a phenomenal job of jumping in quickly and rolling with evidence being developed in real time.  

More to the point, who found who first? I know I could ask Dan Poletti but that feels like cheating.

As I recall, Dan Poletti reached out to me many years ago, when I was at my first firm in Harrisburg, PA. He came to the office to give a lunch-and-learn. Dan was very impressive and personable, and the CLE was terrific, so… as noted above, the rest is history.

Back to Chopped. What motivated or inspired you to volunteer to get on stage with all the crazy court room stunts? 

I was so impressed with the event after attending as an audience member.  I thought it was the most informative, useful, and entertaining CLE I’d ever seen.  I wanted to compete for several reasons.  First, it’s incredibly valuable to get feedback from the judges, all of whom are incredibly experienced and insightful.  I also wanted to sharpen my game, learn, and see how I stack up against other veteran trial lawyers.  Finally, I thought it would be a great marketing opportunity, and that certainly turned out to be true.

Bob Ackerman watched you win your first Chopped event. Afterwards, he pulled me aside and said she is the “real deal” and went on to acknowledge that nothing we did rattled you. Did you get a chance to talk with Bob after one of your wins. Can you share a Bob story?

That’s so nice to hear—thank you!  Bob did come up to me after my first competition (and after subsequent events) to offer congratulations and feedback.  He was one of the most gracious, kind, and generous individuals I’ve ever met.  Two encounters I’ll always remember are:  chatting with Bob in the hall of Magna’s offices fifteen years ago and hearing about how Magna got its start; and playing golf with Bob in Florida during one of the conferences.  He was a true gentleman who is sorely missed.

Lastly, what’s it going to take to get you back on stage?

I’m open to it!  What are you offering? 😉

---

Do you remember your first meeting with Magna LS and what we discussed?

We first met in the cafeteria at ACE in Wilmington, DE. You were so high energy and brimming with confidence.  It was all about your services and being a “client first” organization.

You were one of the first clients to retain us for a large mock trial. We couldn’t have been more than 3 months into getting up and running. Did you have any hesitation or concerns? How did we do?

I trusted my “gut” when I talked to you and Mark. The one feeling that has never been lost is the honesty/transparency of all of our conversations. You guys were honest and outlined a clear strategy which alleviated any concerns immediately.

The foundation of our industry is relationships. They matter. How has your connection to Magna evolved over the last 19 years?

The relationship has only gotten stronger.  The relationships have never changed, have never lost that initial focus even with the incredible growth that Magna has achieved.

For ten years, Magna hosted its signature fundraiser CLE for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia called Chopped for CHOP. It’s the world’s only competitive mock trial that eliminates contestants live on stage. We have raised over $200,000.00.  You served as a judge many times. What was that experience like? Did you ever have second thoughts after voting to Chop someone? We retired the program two years ago. Should we bring it back?

The experience was FANTASTIC!  The planning, participation, and content has always been great. The relationships established from this event are career lasting. I would bring it back as an every-other-year event rather than an annual one.

Last, but not least, you were a friend to Bob Ackerman. He appreciated your early support. Can you share a Bob memory with us?

Bob was a true titan in the industry.  He was beyond kind and treated everyone with the utmost respect.  The amazing quality Bob had was to talk to you at any time no matter how long it had been and the conversation was like he saw you yesterday. His qualities should be emulated as HOW to conduct yourself with friends and clients.

---

How did you discover Magna or did Magna discover you?

Initially, Bob Ackerman pursued us, but we kept our business with Knipes Cohen because Bob Cohen went out of his way to help us when we started BRBS. When Bob Cohen passed away, we happily gave our business to BA and never looked back. 

Your firm has been a leader in Philly handling some of the most complex mass tort cases. You both chose Magna to support your depositions with our court reporting services. Can you share what that experience has been like over the years?

I have nothing but praise for Magna. The people there are exceptionally skilled and comport themselves with the highest degree of professionalism. They are also remarkably accommodating. They appeared whenever and wherever they were needed and timely delivered excellent transcripts and video recordings. No trial lawyer could ask for more.

What would you like people to remember about Bob or as you guys affectionately called him, “BA”?

Bob was an incredibly generous, kind, loving and loyal friend. He had a great sense of humor and a true love of life. He remained humble despite his tremendous business successes. Long before he was burdened with his serious health problems, we would tease him about his military service and call him “one tough Marine.” Given the courage and grace he demonstrated during the course of his illness, it turns out that he really was one tough Marine. I really loved and admired him. May his memory be a blessing.

Lastly, what word of advice would you share with anyone aspiring to become a Philly trial attorney?

In my view anyone who wants to try cases should, if possible, start his career in a job that will guarantee jury work such as the DA’s office.

---

The Magna LS and Marks, O’Neill, O’Brien, Doherty & Kelly connection goes back way before our 19th anniversary. Is it true that your firm shared office space with Bob Ackerman’s first court reporting firm, KK&A? What was that like?

In 1991 there was a fire in the Meridian building (now the site of the Ritz Carlton condos).  Our firm was in the building next door (current Ritz Carlton hotel).  There was significant water damage to our building and we were not able to return.  While scrambling to get temporary quarters, Bob Ackerman contacted us and asked if we needed some office space.  This was well before cell phones and we needed some place to make and receive calls.  Bob graciously provided us with offices, phones, fax service and other assistance until we were able to get temporary office space.  This was the way Bob was.  If he saw that he could help someone, he reached out and did everything he could for you.

Years after that, you returned the favor and let Mark Calzaretta and I get Magna up and running in your conference room. Were we good tenants?

You were good tenants, if extremely nervous. I remember getting off the elevator and seeing you guys in the conference room working the phones feverishly. I also recall that Bob was in “exile” due to a non-compete and you guys were putting together a litigation support firm.  It is kind of amazing that from those humble beginnings, a national litigation service firm developed in a very short period of time.

Bob said if it wasn’t for Kevin O’Brien we would have never been a player in the mass tort litigation support biz with our court reporting service. Tell us about that and don’t be modest. I was in the room for the famous chalk talk!

Bob no doubt overstated my influence. I do recall that Bob was interested in getting involved in the mass tort arena and asked for my advice. He thought it would be easy enough for us to schedule depositions with Magna. I explained, on a number of occasions, that in our litigation, the Plaintiff firms schedule the depositions. I think Bob thought that I was just blowing him off. I told him that he needed to make contact with the Plaintiff firms to try to get into the rotation. I set up a call with the Brookman firm to act as an entrée for Magna. I do recall that you and Bob were in the room and not at all impressed with my efforts on your behalf, as my approach was rather unconventional. Fortunately, everything worked out, and Magna became involved in the mass tort market.

How many Magna deps have you taken over the years? Can you share an experience that stood out from other depositions?

I think it is safe to estimate that I have taken hundreds of depositions with Magna reporters.  While the specific depositions blend together, I do have recollections of reaching out to Bob, and you, when things didn’t go smoothly. That was always the hallmark for me. You could always get Bob on the phone, and he was an expert at smoothing over problems. I can also remember the multiple times that our office forgot to schedule a reporter.  We would call Magna, and somehow a reporter would appear within the hour.

Lastly, you were a great friend to Bob. Can you share a memory about your friendship?

Bob was a great friend. He was one of the most generous men I have ever met. Bob was always looking to help people, because it was the right thing to do.  He didn’t expect anything in return. It was almost impossible to pick up a check when Bob was around, he always had something worked out. Once on a trip, we were all waiting to leave a restaurant and were annoyed that Bob had disappeared. Finally, we decided to leave without him, and asked the waiter for the check. The waiter looked confused and told us that a man with a mustache and goatee paid the bill about 25 minutes ago.

---