Eric J. Sobocinski, JD, Manager
Founder and Principal
eric@amphorawealth.com
Eric founded Amphora in 2011, and serves as its Manager. The firm was formed based on requests from many of his law clients over several years. Eric's clients who were business owners, professionals, athletes, and coaches all had the same problem: they were seeking, but could not find, clear financial and tax guidance on all matters relating to their wealth.
During this time, Eric met Gordon S. Murray, a twenty-five year Wall Street veteran. When posed with the complaints Eric heard from his law clients about their dissatisfaction with financial markets and advisors, Gordon explained how the financial services industry has traditionally operated to the detriment of the individual investor. He also outlined how he believed the industry should operate. This model, later articulated masterfully in the book Gordon co-authored along with Daniel C. Goldie entitled, The Investment Answer, parallels the Amphora investment approach for its clients. Eric's meeting with Gordon changed his outlook on the industry and spawned the idea to create a new firm.
Eric's meeting with Gordon changed his life in other ways. You see, at the time Eric met Gordon, he was terminally ill with a brain tumor. Gordon chose to spend his last days speaking the truth about the financial industry in order to help many others avoid the pitfalls of bad advice. Eric admired him greatly for this and has emphasized delivering the bold truth to clients in telling them what they "need to hear" rather than what they "want to hear."
Eric has spent his entire career as a lawyer listening to clients, understanding their perspectives on issues and challenges they faced, and providing measured advice towards a solution. He often explains that many of the issues facing his athlete clients who perform on the world stage are identical to the physician, the professor, and the entrepreneur. The satisfaction for him comes in shaping a plan, helping the client execute it, and seeing the client enjoy the fruits of the plan over their lifetime.
Eric studied Psychology at Villanova University before he had a brief minor league baseball career with the Philadelphia Phillies. It was in the minor leagues that Eric first began advising athletes (often in the bull pen during the game) on all matters relating to money, business, and many times psychology. He was flattered that his teammates trusted his advice.
Eric then returned to Villanova for his law degree. He, along with a group of highly-motivated classmates, created The Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal, now a leading academic publication focused on the legal aspects of sports and entertainment law.
Eric then moved to North Carolina and practiced law for the next sixteen years. He maintains his law license and continues to provide advice to a small cadre of clients in the areas of estate planning, business, and tax matters.
Eric met his wife, Kristen, while in high school. As Eric says, "I needed a date to the prom." Kristen knows that the need for a prom date just accelerated what he was too shy at the time to do otherwise. That was 36 years ago. They have a son, Jackson, and a daughter, Georgia which keep them particularly busy on weekends with athletic events.
In 2008, Eric joined a small group of motivated fathers to found the Carolina Baseball Club, a non-profit travel baseball program based in Chapel Hill. He was determined to instill "the love of the game" in his son and many others. So far it has worked as the program now has over 100 players and growing.
Books he often recommends to people
For our investment approach I'm constantly giving away Larry Swedroe's original book, The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You'll Ever Need, of course Gordon and Daniel's The Investment Answer. He has also been known to share John Eldredge's Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul, and anything from Wayne Dyer.
Often described as
Some friends call Eric "Mr. Positive," others "Mr. Motivation." Basically, Eric believes in people and their power to make their own dreams come true.
People he admires
Eric is a believer in people who make a difference in others' lives. He is impressed with those who have achieved the work /family life balance.
Long View moment
Eric always reminding clients and friends to take the long view and ignore the daily gyrations because they don't mean anything and you can't control them. Thoughtful plans based on academic evidence pay off. He believes it is fun to see the light bulb go off for others.
Greatest challenge overcome
Dealing with the loss of his father and his priest, both within six months, as they were his mentors and taught him about the importance of family, spirituality, responsibility, dedication, and how the be a leader.
What he finds underrated
BIG hugs.
Best presentation he's heard in person
Colonel Arthur J. Athens, USMCR (Ret.), United States Naval Academy, at the US Lacrosse Annual Convention on the subject of leadership.
How he stays sharp
Eric mixes training and education from law, tax and financial planning. The best education inside the financial services industry is through BAM Advisor Services.
Top talk from the TED website
"The Last Lecture," by Randy Pausch.
“Flow, the secret to happiness,” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
Friends or family poke fun at
Eric’s affinity for outdoor showers and his description of the size and health of his tomato garden.
Movie moments
In Vision Quest, when Louden is about to enter the big match with Shute, and his mentor tells him the story about Pele, "It’s not the 30 seconds that count. It’s what you do in the 30 seconds."
Credo
Do what you love and love what you do.
Live with passion.
Say what you mean, mean what you say.
Most satisfying part of life at Amphora Wealth Management
Working to improve the lives of his clients, their families, and all those touched by their charity.
Most people might not know
Eric is brought to tears when he witnesses someone who performs to the height of their ability.