Interview with Hal Victor from Conflicts with Interest by Michael Ruddy

I am sitting here at Riever’s bar with Hal Victor, also known as the coverage counsel in my recently released book, Conflicts with Interest (RodeoPublishing.com).

“Two more beers, Doc.”

“Ruddy, why don’t you drink somewhere else?” Doc said with a smile.

“We’ll have to ignore him, Hal, he’s been like that since I’ve known him. Are you ready to get started?”

V: “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

R: “Why don’t you tell us how you got into your line of work?”

V: “Not on purpose––I assure you. I was just trying to survive like everyone else when I was defending a client in a construction defects case … and realized the insurance company was trying to screw us.

R: “Wait, Hal, clean it up … there might be kids reading this interview.”

V: “Sorry, but you know how I am. I’ll try. Anyway, the insurance company was trying to take advantage of the situation from every angle. And, I don’t know, I guess it really … really irked me off. It was obvious that there was a need to keep these hoodlums in check. Somebody needed to specialize in policy protection. So, why not me?”

R: Did you see more of these type suits coming?”

V: “Hell, yes. You could see the plaintiff’s lawyers foaming at the mouth. The insurance companies were settling everything too easy. It was clear to me the honey pot was brimming over. Everyone wanted to get their nose in there and get themselves some. I was just there to make sure the insurance companies were playing by the rules.”

R: “For the better part, though, most played by the rules … didn’t they?”

V: “What are you smokin’? What they did to T.R. was typical——criminals, all of ‘em.”

R: “Did you ever think you’d have a shot at them in the book?”

V: “I’m always hopin’ for a shot, but that T.R. was pretty sharp——he listened to me——did as he was told. I’d been through enough of these before he hired me. I knew what crap they’d pull. Slimy scum they are.”

R: “Don’t you think the lawyers are part of the problem? I mean, I wrote the story but I still have a problem with the way of the legal system. It needs to be fixed.”

V: “Lawyers can’t help themselves. They want the money, the toys you know——the trappings of success. They’ll get after it until it dries up.”

R: “Do you think that’ll ever happen?”

V: “Hey, don’t tell anybody that I said it … but you want to drain the honey pot?… exclude construction defects in the policies. But the idiots will never figure that out. I’ll have work forever.”

R: “What about the builders?”

V: “They need to get their shit together and hire some supervision. This Made in Mexico thing needs some attention. Did you ever look at how they build down there? I rest my case. It’s not what’s expected, guys——It’s what get’s inspected. Hear me out, builders, hire some credentials, not hamburger flippers. I don’t want to go on a rant here——but I guess I am. If it needs a drainage plane, then build one, the right way. For shit’s sake, it does rain in San Francisco.”

R: “Good point.”

V: “Hell, yes.”

R: “In the book you are pretty tight with Sanderson, the plaintiff’s attorney. Is that typical or did I make that up?”

V: “No secret here. Everybody knows to keep their friends close and their enemies closer. Why not eat breakfast with the guy? The whole thing is a two-step for hookers. It’s just gonna settle and everybody’s gonna end up rifling each other’s purses.”

R: “Whoa, Hal, you’re getting a little wound-up——your eyes are squinting. We’d better stop here so we don’t offend anybody.”

“Doc, two more beers.”

“Can’t you see I’m busy?”