Back in February 2019, I was threatened with a lawsuit.
Most people panic when an attorney calls demanding money.
I didn’t. I knew the facts were on my side. I also knew the people threatening me were digging their own grave.
Here’s how it unfolded.
For almost eight years, I volunteered with an organization. I wasn’t just on the board. I was the one who built their website, set up their socials, and created the digital presence that helped them connect with their community. I even shot the photos they relied on to tell their story. Hundreds of hours of work. All of it volunteer.
Then the manager retired, and a new one came in.
From the very beginning, he was a terrible fit.
The board saw it.
We raised concerns.
We were told to trust the process.
Almost immediately, he tried to get me to circumvent the organization’s email protocols. Not once. Several times. I refused each time. Integrity isn’t negotiable.
Then, without warning, I was told my volunteer role was being “eliminated.” They hired someone to take over the work I had been doing for free. Big paycheck, shiny new title.
And how did this new hire earn that salary?
By repurposing the exact website I had built and filling it with the photos I had taken over the years.
My work.
My intellectual property.
No credit.
No compensation.
That’s when I made a decision: enough was enough. With the help of my brilliant trademark attorney, Angela Langlotz, we had their site taken offline.
And that’s when the threats started.
Their lawyer called me.
Loud, aggressive, trying to intimidate me.
He said I owed the organization $15,000 for the website and another $10,000 for their legal fees. In total, they demanded $25,000.
I stayed calm. I told him, “Your client screwed up. We can keep this quiet, or you can keep pushing and I’ll go public. Most of the organization doesn’t even know what’s happening.”
The louder he got, the calmer I became. Within a week, the lawsuit was dropped.
I walked away clean.
They kept their manager.
And over the next few years, his poor decisions wiped out 70% of the organization’s finances.
The lessons?
- Integrity isn’t optional. When someone asks you to cut corners, that’s your red flag.
- Value your work. Even as a volunteer, your time, effort, and intellectual property have worth.
- Stay calm under pressure. Yelling is a tactic. Facts are power.
- Bad leadership always shows. Sometimes the best revenge is watching arrogance collapse under its own weight.
I didn’t just “win” against a lawsuit. I proved that standing firm, knowing your rights, and refusing to be bullied will always outlast poor leadership.
And I didn’t do it alone. Having someone like Angela in your corner makes all the difference.
This is why I help entrepreneurs protect their authority and build their legacy. When you know your worth, and surround yourself with the right allies, you don’t just survive attacks. You come out stronger.
Rob is affectionately known as “Mr. Sarcasm” to his friends - to everyone else he’s a Certified Digital Marketing Strategist, a Foremost Expert On Specialized SEO, a Best Selling Author, Podcaster, Speaker and Authority Broadcaster who can help amplify YOU to your audience.
Rob has authored, coauthored or produced 60+ books covering social media, search engine optimization, podcasting, copywriting, personal injury law, weight loss, military law, life lessons, scams, sarcasm, customer service and more. His book clients include lawyers, speakers, doctors, real estate professionals and more.
Rob is also host of The E-Heroes Interview Series with 350+ episodes available on Apple, Amazon, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify & many other podcast channels. Rob works inside corporations across the globe, helping companies generate new revenue and capture online business.
Rob is also available to share talks and give interviews. To learn more and to get started visit www.AnspachMedia.com or call Anspach Media at (412)267-7224 today.
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