Erin Brockovich

Take it from Me: Life's a Struggle But You Can Win

The youngest child of Frank and Betty Jo Pattee, Erin Brockovich grew up in Lawrence, Kansas. After earning an Associates degree in Applied Arts, trying out several jobs, and divorcing twice, Erin found herself alone with three children to provide for.

After being seriously injured in a traffic accident in Reno, Erin moved back to Southern California with her children. In 1991, she hired the law firm of Masry and Vititoe to handle her case, and although she received $17,000 in settlement money, it did not begin to cover her debts. Unable to find work, she soon begged Masry and Vititoe to hire her as a $1,200 a month file clerk. It was not long after that some medical records she found in a pro bono real estate case file piqued her curiosity. After getting permission from the firm's principal, Ed Masry, she began to look into the matter.

Erin's solo investigation eventually established that the health of countless people who lived in and around Hinkley, California in the 1960's, 70's and 80's had been devastated by exposure to toxic Chromium 6. In 1996, as a result of the largest direct action lawsuit of its kind, spearheaded by Erin Brockovich and Ed Masry, the giant utility was ordered to make the largest legal settlement in U.S. history, paying out some $333 million in damages to more than 600 Hinkley residents.

No longer a file clerk, Erin now serves as director of environmental research at Masry and Vititoe, where she is currently involved in other major environmental lawsuits that she put together. Remarried in 1999 to actor Eric Ellis, she lives with her husband and children in Agoura Hills, California.

"Erin is inspiring, and I know the world to be

a better place because she is in it."

Julia Roberts

Erin has received a number of awards and honors for her work with the environment:

Subject of the hit movie "Erin Brockovich" starring Julia Roberts
Consumer Advocate of the Year ‑ Consumer Attorneys of California
County of Los Angeles ‑ Courageous and Unflagging efforts for work in Hinkley
Profile in Courage Award from Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association
Scales of Justice Award from Court TV
Justice Armand Arabian Law and Media Award ‑ San Fernando Valley Bar
Presidential Award of Merit Consumer Attorneys of California
California Legislature ‑ Assembly Resolution No. 1621 for her personal commitment to insuring the environment is free of toxic pollution
Special Citizen Award" for noble efforts in protecting children. The Children's Health Environmental Coalition
Walk the Talk Award from Heal the Bay
Champion of Justice Award from the Civil Justice Foundation of ATLA
City of Barstow - Proclamation of "Erin Brockovich Day"
President's Award - Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
Mothers & Shakers Award - Redbook Magazine
Consumer Advocate of the Year - Themis Capital Corporation
Glendale Kiwanis Club - Dedication To Helping Others Fight Injustice
Best Use of Public Records - First Amendment Beacon
The Debbie Cole Award - Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition
Lifesaver Award" - Lymphoma Research Foundation of America
The Rochelle Hoffman Woman of Significance Award . Temple Adat Ari El
Champions of Children Award - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Women of Action Award and Woman of the Year - Israel Cancer Research Fund

Erin has written a book entitled Take It From Me, Life's a Struggle But You Can Win and published by McGraw-Hill. It is currently on the shelves. She continues to do her lectures around the country and hopes to do a series of television specials later this year.

Speakers/Entertainers of related topics:
Attitude , Authors , Celebrities , Health Issues , Inspiration , Leadership , Motivation , Success , Women

Speakers/Entertainers also traveling from: CA

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