USD Magazine, Fall 2004

Attorney Scott Dreher, Bob Gaglione, acclaimed trial lawyer Gerry Spence and Camm & Associates president Cheryl Mitchell. While "Independent Counsel" is a call-in show, Gaglione insists it's not an advice show. "There are legal issues involved," he points out, adding that he's heard of cases in which people allege an attorney/client relationship on the basis of a single phone call. Although he's comfortable chat– ting up colleagues in the legal arena, one of the most memorable days he spent on the radio didn't actually involve the law. "It was the morning that JFK Jr.'s plane was missing," Gaglione recalls. "They told me the show was going l1 to be pre-empted, but since there ~ ~ ! was no news anchor available,they asked me to sit in. "That was a fascinating experi- :;; o ence. Igot to see how good a job ~ .. anchors do when they handle break- ing stories so professionally." So does Gaglione ever wonder if he went into the wrong line of work? Not really. But he does admit to a little secret: "As a kid growing up, Ialways wanted to be a journal– ist," he confesses."Doing this is a surprise.The fact that I love it so much is not.'' While "Independent Counsel" most recently aired on KCBQ 1170 AM, the show is on hiatus - for now. Although Gaglione opted to take a break from the show due to a heavy workload, he says he's eager to get back on the San Diego airwaves. And until then? Well,there's always Judge Judy. - Julene Snyder

ost of "Independent Counsel" (then known as the "Primerus Law Hour") on San Diego's KOGO 600. "Basically it was a group of IJwyers talking about legal and news issues," recalls Gaglione. "I was the co-host, then after a while, (Nimmo) turned it over to me." Gaglione is particularly proud that ,,uests on the show appear pro

bono, giving up their weekend time to serve the public good.With over 200 shows under his belt, choosing favorites might seem difficult. But when asked, he whips out a scrap– book filled with snapshots of himself with guests, and thumbs through it. "When I interviewed Ralph Nader, it was taped at USD;' he recalls."He was a giant in the legal profession. Iso admired him as a kid growing up. Getting to meet him was an extraordinary experience." Other favorites include Joan Embry - one-time media spokes– woman for the San Diego Zoo - political cartoonist Steve Kelley and Dick Murphy,who at the time of his appearance was a candidate for mayor of San Diego. Perhaps unsur– prisingly, certain topics tended to

City Attorney Casey Gwinn along– side local defense attorney Bill Nimmo and Bob Gaglione. keep the phone lines lit up. "When President Clinton was in office, most of the time we were on the air, we'd deal with incredibly polarized opinions," says Gaglione. "And for some reason, whenever we'd have local judges on, people always called in to discuss their jury service. Apparently, it's a hot topic."

Bob Gaglione, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, Al Ferris and Fred Schenk '78 0,0.)

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