Meet Christopher M. Ferdico, the head of trial practice and general counsel at Berry Law (jsberrylaw.com).
Tell us a little about your business. – Berry Law is a national Veterans Disability practice, and we are well known across Nebraska in the areas of Criminal Defense and Personal Injury. We have offices in both Lincoln and Omaha, but practice statewide and in Iowa. From attorneys to staff, approximately 30% of our employees are Veterans. The mission-focused, victory-driven, and never-quit attitude of our culture is very appealing.
How did you get started in the business? – I’ve been practicing law since 1996. I grew up wanting to either be a lawyer or a chef. When I realized most chefs have to work evenings and weekends, I realized that didn’t sound as much fun.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Managing a 23-year military career while practicing law. This is also my greatest achievement
Tell us a little about your family. – I am married with four beautiful children ranging in age from 6 to 18—three boys and one daughter of whom I am powerless against.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – 9/11. It changed the trajectory of my career from being lawyer focused to military focused.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I enjoy the shooting sports. Anything from formal competition to plinking with my children.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I have enough tattoos to be a Marine. I appreciate that Tattoos have significant cultural ties and were historically used to link people, their heritage, and life’s experiences. I have taken that approach in my tattoos which make them very meaningful.
Who inspires you? – Our Veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice. For those of us who have survived combat, we must continue to remember, live for, and protect the values that they died for.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – The best advice I give to my children is that the point of education is to learn how to think, not what to think.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Soldier.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I’m also a founder of Warfighter Tobacco Company, a premium Veteran-owned Cigar Company.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I am a charter member of American Legion Post 1919. We are trying to re-energize the American Legion in Lincoln to better serve all Veterans, young and old.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien. I was honored to have lunch with him when he was here in Lincoln for a reading at the University of Nebraska.
What is your favorite movie? – I don’t know about favorite, but I can best quote The Princess Bride!
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Elon Musk and Leonardo da Vinci. I’d just watch them pick each other’s brains.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 704-8102; christopher@jsberrylaw.com; jsberrylaw.com.