Seeking Truth: The Struggle for Accountability at Camp Lejeune

Episode #3.2: The Heart of Law With Attorney Ed Bell

 

Are you ready to uncover the truth behind one of the most significant and complex cases of our time? Join our intrepid host, Mirena Umizaj, in a powerful and poignant episode of The Heart of Law, as she invites Attorney Ed Bell, the founder and senior partner at Bell Legal Group, to explore the unwavering dedication of Attorney Ed Bell and his team to pass the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and provide justice for the hundreds of thousands of victims impacted by the catastrophic contamination that occurred at Camp Lejeune.

​​With a career spanning over 30 years, Attorney Ed Bell is widely regarded as one of the best trial lawyers in the country today. But what sets him apart from the rest? Well, according to Mirena Umizaj, he's a "unicorn" in the legal world! Not only is he a top civil litigator in complex litigation, but he's also a successful business owner, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. And it's not just his impressive credentials that make him stand out. Attorney Ed Bell's unwavering commitment to seeking justice and advocating for his clients is truly remarkable, as evidenced by his tireless efforts in the Camp Lejeune water contamination case spanning over a decade and a half. As Mirena and Attorney Ed Bell delve deeper into the intricate details of the case, their conversation takes on a sense of urgency, punctuated by the gravity of the recent developments and hearing that served as a stark reminder that time is of the essence. 

Navigating through the complexities of this case is no small feat, as the overwhelming volume of claims creates a formidable challenge for the government to manage effectively. Sensing the court's ardent desire to fast-track the proceedings, Attorney Ed Bell ingeniously proposes the implementation of bellwether trials–an innovative approach that not only expedites the legal process but also provides both sides with a valuable opportunity to test their theories, present their arguments, and ultimately determine the value of the case at hand. As Attorney Ed Bell passionately explains, "I haven't had a client yet ask me what their case is worth; they don't care. That's not their goal. Their goal is to have somebody say, 'Why did you kill my children?'" Thus, the heart-wrenching pursuit for justice and understanding, driven by grief and anguish, takes precedence over monetary value for these clients. 

This case has left a lasting impression on many, including Mirena, who had her own transformative "Erin Brockovich moment" upon hearing the story. The profound resonance of the case has transcended personal connections, permeating influential circles and capturing the attention of notable figures, including President Joe Biden, Congressman Greg Murphy, and other prominent individuals who have played pivotal roles in advancing the associated bill. With a relentless determination to uncover the truth, Attorney Ed Bell has taken the initiative to create an epidemiological model as a supplement to the ATSDr study, while also spearheading the establishment of a remarkable call center staffed by veterans and their families.

Attorney Ed Bell's journey and passion for justice is truly remarkable. From his love for cooking to his discovery of law, his tenacity and dedication to his clients and the legal industry is truly inspiring. With the help of his law school interns and a team of compassionate professionals, Attorney Ed Bell continues to lead the charge for justice in the Camp Lejeune lawsuit. His message to the legal industry is clear - let's prioritize our clients and strive to do what's right. With Attorney Bell leading the way, there's hope for a brighter future where justice prevails.

 

EPISODE SURVEY:

[00:03:40] - [00:06:20] Passion and Priorities: The Secret Ingredient to a Successful Legal Career

[00:06:56] - [00:11:45] Camp Lejeune Case: Latest Updates and Court Hearing Highlights

[00:11:48] - [00:19:03]  Overcoming Challenges in Mass Litigation: Case Volume, Test Trials, and Government Engagement

[00:19:04] - [00:25:54] Striking a Balance: Client Needs and Attorney Fees

[00:27:02] - [00:41:30] Pursuing Justice for Camp Lejeune: A Timeline of Advocacy, Collaboration, and Triumph

[00:41:31] - [00:50:21] Restoring Faith in The System: An Emotional and Transformative Case

[00:50:23] - [01:00:57] Catalyzing Change: Mass Tort Frenzy, Presidential Recognition, and Marine Response

[01:01:01] - [01:10:38] Thriving Against All Odds: Firm Growth and Collaborative Efforts in Camp Lejeune Litigation

[1:10:44] - [1:19:51] Legal Mentorship, Culinary Passion, and Client Dedication: A Journey of Advocacy and Success

[1:20:00] - [1:21:53] Concluding Remarks: A Message to Clients and The Legal Industry

 

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

1. "I encourage, I inspire, I try to do what I can to get people to the best of their game, but it's amazing how sometimes if you let people be themselves and not try to micromanage them, how much better they can do."

2. "I hope at the end of this case we won't sit back and talk about the money; we'll talk about the people we helped and maybe give a new direction to how people in America have the right to utilize the justice system. What I hope though is that the community as a whole, our body of politics, our local folks should remember the reason why our founders founded the judicial system is so that citizens could fuss with each other without killing each other."

3. "I think those of us who believe passionately in something, no matter whether it's cooking or law or husbandry or animals, whatever, there are some people that have this driving passion that makes them strive for excellence. I think I try to have some of that. Every now and then, I feel it. Sometimes I don't. I have to go looking for it. But I think it's part of any successful attorney... It's just a different passion for what you're doing."

4. "I haven't had a client yet ask me what their case is worth; they don't care. That's not their goal. Their goal is to have somebody say, 'Why did you kill my children?'"

5. "We have so many families that have lost all of their family members that were at Camp Lagoon, and you can see the pattern: they lived in the worst location. And most of these people have the worst diagnosis. When you multiply that risk of having cancer hundreds of times, then you've created something in these families that is unbearable. They want to know why, why the government did it, and why they're able to get away with it."

6. "We had to figure out a way to get these folks their ability to find justice, and that's what we did. When we got kicked out of court, I had a meeting with a bunch of our clients, and in the middle of the meeting, I said, 'Don't worry, we're going to do something. I'll take care of it.'"

7. "I think those families that I got to know for the 15 years we've been working on this case are the things that inspired me to kind of get us where we are today."

8. "I think the Court's going to be happy with the attorneys that are there. I think the Court's going to see our passion and those folks that are representing these victims and families. If we watch out for them as our clients and keep that as our focus, I think this will be successful."

9. "My job is not necessarily to just protect the easy cases but to protect those people who otherwise wouldn't have a voice."

10. "One of the things we didn't expect was that this was a very satisfying project we had. But not realizing the impact that it would have on us as a law firm, that's when I reached out to your group and said, 'Look, I'm a pretty good lawyer, and I need somebody to give me some help and some advice,' and your group has come in and helped us tremendously in our growth and in our management of certain things."

11. "I have not agreed with every jury verdict in my life, but I've always respected that verdict and kind of understood why sometimes I didn't get the result that I wanted. But having that respect for the system, I hope we can instill that among the people we represent so that they don't feel like the government can just take over their lives and do anything they want to them."

12. "We've just kept our heads down and we just kept plotting away doing what's right, and everybody worries about what the Court's going to do. I'm not worried at all what the Court's going to do, they're going to do it, and we just need to go along with what's getting ready to happen."

13. "Some of these non-lawyer advertising groups have given lawyers a bad name. A lot of them are lies and that hurts all of us. A lot of Marines and Marine families don't trust them and have not wanted to go forward because of this. I would urge them not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are a lot of good lawyers that would be willing to take their case and be able to help them"

14. “I believe the proof is in the pudding. We are good litigators, we know how to manage cases, we know how to put them together. All we're doing is doing more of them. It means something to me when some of the top lawyers in the country asked me to help them on these cases."

15. "I'm eternally grateful to my clients for trusting us to do what we're doing… we will not let them down. My message to the legal industry is let's do this right, let's let this be an example to other cases of how to do it. I think we can, I think we can do it right if we keep client focus as our number one goal. Then things will work out."

 

ABOUT OUR GUEST: 

●      Founder and Senior Partner of Bell Legal Group in Georgetown, South Carolina

●      Recognized as a Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rated attorney

●      Listed among The American Trial Lawyers Association's Top 100 Attorneys

●      Named to prestigious publications such as Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year, and Benchmark's Litigation Star

●      Recipient of the SC Lawyers Weekly Leadership in Law Award

●      Serves as the chairman of the board for Garden & Gun magazine (2010), Garden & Gun Land, and The Litchfield Company

●      Established a cutting-edge Vehicle Safety Research Center dedicated to investigating auto defects, conducting accident re-enactments, developing exhibits, and unraveling the intricate aspects of injury and accident cases.

●      Appointed as the president of the Charleston School of Law

●      Member of the Bars of South Carolina, United States District Court (District of South Carolina), United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and United States Supreme Court.

●      Actively volunteers through various organizations such as Duncan United Methodist Church, Helping Hands, Habitat for Humanity, and sponsors multiple programs in hospitals, schools, and youth organizations.