“Given the nature of our job, we see businesses make all kinds of mistakes—including those that unfortunately lead to litigation,” said Cosmo Zinkow, a commercial litigator with Poyner Spruill. “There were a lot of organizations out there focused on helping military vets start businesses, but none really focused on providing the ongoing legal support that they need.”
Zinkow and fellow Poyner Spruill commercial litigator Stephanie Gumm, both veterans, launched Project Ethos in 2019. Ethos is an acronym for Entrepreneurial Troops Helping Others Succeed.
“We decided that the biggest contribution we could make in the present was helping veteran-led businesses avoid legal problems in the future,” said Zinkow.
“Over the last decade, I’ve seen so many friends retire from the military and start their own businesses,” Gumm said, whose husband just entered his 24th year as an active-duty Green Beret. “The last thing that a new business owner needs is a lawsuit, especially one that might burn a hole through the balance sheet.”
Gumm and Zinkow help veterans navigate the legal challenges that come with starting and operating a business. They do this through Project Ethos by offering mentorship, continuing education and preferred pricing from affiliated businesses, including anchor affiliate Poyner Spruill.
“Recently, we have been giving a seminar called ‘Litigation Blind Spots,’” said Zinkow. “In the future, we’d like to grow our network of affiliates so that Project Ethos can help support veteran-led businesses of all sizes, and in all circumstances.”
Military Service
Gumm served as an Army officer for nine years. As a Signal officer, she deployed to Iraq and led a six-person detachment providing secure and non-secure communications to a remote base. After transitioning to Psychological Operations as a captain, she was deployed to Pakistan, leading a 14-person team charged with eliciting desired behavior change in select target audiences. Gumm’s last deployment was to Afghanistan, where she worked with the rural female populace in support of the mission to recruit and train local security forces.
Zinkow served as an enlisted Marine for seven years as a hydraulic and airframes mechanic on FA-18 Hornets. He deployed with his unit to Iraq in 2005, where they helped lead the air-support efforts during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also spent time deployed throughout Europe. After obtaining the rank of Sergeant, Zinkow left the Marines to pursue a legal career.
Zinkow and Gumm have been friends since law school, where they helped lead Volume 40 of the Campbell Law Review. Both have leveraged what they learned in the military for their law practices.
Perspective and Creativity
“The perspective and adaptability that I gained from the military helps me on a daily basis,” explained Gumm. “Whether it’s navigating the unpredictability of litigation or simply not taking myself too seriously, I’m grateful for my military background. Like most veterans, I have a good sense of humor for the absurd. That attitude goes a long way in this profession, especially in stressful situations.”
“After years of ‘hurry up and wait,’ I certainly learned patience,” said Zinkow. “I also developed the ability to solve difficult problems in creative ways. When you need to get a jet in the air quickly and something isn’t working quite right, you have to improvise. Yes, we sometimes used duct tape,” he joked. “Fast-forward 20 years and I’m still using duct tape, only now it’s to make legal arguments—figuratively, of course.”
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