Alan Gurvey | Lawyer & Talk Show Host

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alan Gurvey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alan, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
There is essentially one overall habit that includes numerous subsets under the same heading that I think is the most important underlying element to my success…and that is discipline. Discipline is only a habit when you practice it time and time again under different circumstances. For me, its developing a pattern of behavior that I have used in all aspects of my life. Examples include always being on time, always following through with what I have said I would do, doing things that I really don’t want to do without complaining, never cancelling appointments or commitments, responding to emails and phone calls without delays, being polite, working out, showing unfettered passion, and having a sense of humor through thick and thin. I can’t stress how essential it is that we focus on discipline from early age. If my wife Nancy and I can teach our kids anything by example, it is always exhibiting the discipline to get things done under difficult circumstances and to not make excuses. Having the discipline to listen and learn from others, and not put yourself ahead of anyone else goes a long way to being successful. Focusing on communicating well and having the discipline to improve communications also is essential to success. Taking an interest in others that is a genuine interest, not a phony one, makes your relationships work for you, and, having the discipline to cultivate the relationships keeps your ability to succeed healthy and proactive.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have been litigating workers’ compensation claims on behalf of injured workers’ for the last 25 years. Any success that I have had is largely due to having an attitude of not accepting defeat, and showing pride in the work I do. Being motivated to help others and to try to make their lives better results in getting the things done that I need to do to prevail. Being unrelenting and using personality to engage others in my law practice has worked in my favor. Having a great supporting cast at the Law Firm of Rowen, Gurvey & Win, others who are as dedicated to helping people as I am, makes all the difference. They truly gives meaning to the maxim “it takes a village…” There have been several occasions when we have initially lost a decision and then through an appeal have turned things around. Sometimes I have so much confidence in my case and my arguments that I don’t even care if I lose the underlying trial court decision, feeling that I will ultimately prevail on appeal. With my talk show, Gurvey’s Law, I take pride in being so prepared with my guests that I am not satisfied unless I hear the guest say, “You know more about me than I know about myself”! My KABC radio show and podcast that I have been doing for close to 7 years also has a great supporting cast who I feel fortunate to work with, and, most importantly, call friends.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being from Canada, with most, if not all, my family living there, I often get visitors who I am happy to show around and share some of the great attractions and eating establishments in the area. The itinerary typically includes rollerblading on the beach with breakfast or brunch on the beach either at Back on the Beach Cafe next to Annenberg Community Beach House or maybe Uncle Bill’s in Manhattan Beach. A relaxing afternoon at The Grove in LA or The Village in Woodland Hills reminds us how fortunate we are to have outdoor malls with great restaurants, bars and shopping, at least before the pandemic when everything was open and bustling. Being a big sports fan, any visit with my family or friends always includes a Dodgers, Angels, Kings, Ducks, Rams, Chargers, or Clippers game, whatever the season…but never the Lakers! I would also make sure that my visitors experience one of the great hikes in the area, like at Echo Mountain in Pasadena, or Tree People in Sherman Oaks, or most probably at our local private trail in Calabasas. In the summer, and when they are open, we would take in the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek for an outdoor concert. Having two kids, Hudson, 7 years old, and Harper, 6 years old, means that I know of a lot of great spots for kids activities, so I am sure if my visitors want to spend time with my kids, we would definitely be doing some fun kids stuff, too numerous to mention here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents deserve a great deal of credit for any success that I have had as a human being. Success in this sense is all about doing the right thing and being a thoughtful, good citizen of the world. My mother, in particular, has been incredibly supportive over my entire life, always knowing what to say and how to say it, and, always keeping me focused and stabilized. Sometimes we have challenges in life, and my mother has been someone who I have always been able to turn to for advice and support, two intangibles that I believe everyone needs in life. How is it that someone knows how to make you feel better and how not to put fuel on a fire, but douse it out? Her ability to look for positives and focus on those positives has helped me immensely with my work and my personal life. With my wife, Nancy, we hope to instill those same qualities in our kids, by both being a great example and articulating the importance of these qualities. My brother also has that ineffable ability to be a positive support in my life, and I appreciate that he has always been there for me in the good times to be proud of me, and, in the bad times, to pick me up off the floor.