Eric Ovitz’s relentless positivity is not something they teach in law school. Spend ten minutes with him and you’ll see that he’s the kind of guy who can find the silver lining in an unfavorable judgment, a sense of opportunity in a dramatic career shift, and a genuine laugh in all (approximately) 800 episodes of The Simpsons — yes, even the later seasons.
Raised in Brentwood in the ’90s, Eric had a front-row seat to America’s most iconic car chase. When throngs of looky-loos took over his neighborhood, Eric set up a stand on the corner of Bundy selling hand-painted “Incarcerate O.J.” and “Free O.J.” t-shirts (he wanted to let the judicial process play out before picking sides). Even then, he had a knack for making lemons into lemonade, or O.J. into mimosas…
After starting his career in PR, working at videogame giant Zynga through their IPO, Eric headed to Northwestern Law, fueled by a love of the Dick Wolf universe and a strong sense of moral justice. He went on to clerk for the LA District Attorney’s office under Jackie Lacey, where his most notable credit was reading the expletive-riddled testimony transcript of a deceased witness during a high-profile serial killer trial. In short, the judge made him say things that no white boy from Brentwood should ever say, much less in the sacred precincts of the court.
Post-clerking, Eric joined a talent-side entertainment firm before moving into civil litigation at an LA-based boutique. He was immediately thrown into the deep end in what he saw as the best way possible, running a mediation in his first week and conducting hundreds of depositions over his tenure. Eric also went to trial in his first year litigating - needless to say, it was a good outcome for his client. While searching for his next litigation role, Eric was introduced to Sean, who immediately appreciated his infectious optimism and knew that Whistler’s clients would too. Unsurprisingly, Eric saw the upside and agreed to join.
Despite previously thinking that “the Valley was just a place you went for children’s birthday parties and more space” Eric now loves living there with his wife, two children, and three dogs. On weekends, he coaches his kids’ t-ball teams, which his six-year-old son has taken to managing with a clipboard and a clear enthusiasm for calling the shots. Eric says it’s a good lesson in playing to your strengths: “He’s no Freddie Freeman, but he could be a Dave Roberts.”
"Bill Murray - He would RSVP yes and show up at the end of dinner as you're paying the check. OR Larry David = but he wouldn't show up out of spite because Bill Murray was invited first."
"Thunder Thighs; sorry, it's just the way I’m built."
"Football season."