By Maggie Romuld

In 1993, Erin Brockovich was a single mother of three working as a filing clerk in a law office. She came across some medical information in a little-known case filed against a California Utility Company, Pacific Gas and Electric, and began investigating when the facts didn't seem to add up. She persuaded her boss to allow her to do further research and eventually discovered a cover-up of the industrial poisoning of a city's water supply. After nearly four years in arbitration, the case was settled behind closed doors for $333 million. Erin Brockovich became a household name in March 2000 when she was portrayed by Julia Roberts in a legal drama based on the story of how she helped win the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in the United States. As a result of the movie, Erin became a public figure and, despite her hard work during and after the case, has become known as much for her brash, feisty attitude and her appearance ("Rocky in stilettos" and "the environmentalist with cleavage") as her investigative talent.

Erin grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, the youngest child of an industrial engineer and a journalist. Despite her dyslexia, she graduated from high school and eventually earned an Associate in Applied Arts degree at Wades Business College. Erin's work has been recognized with numerous awards including, among many others, "Consumer Advocate of the Year" from the Consumer Attorneys of California, "Julius B. Richmond Award" from The Harvard School of Public Health, "Profile in Courage Award" from Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers' Association, California Legislature - Assembly Resolution No. 1621 for her personal commitment to insuring the environment is free of toxic pollution, Glendale Kiwanis Club for Dedication To Helping Others Fight Injustice, "Best Use of Public Records" from First Amendment Beacon and "Environmental Excellence" from the National Jewish Fund. Her early, somewhat limited, formal education has also been eclipsed in recent years by the honorary degrees she has received as a result of her commitment to consumer advocacy and the environment.

Erin is now the president of her own consulting firm, Brockovich Research & Consulting, and she continues to work on high profile environmental pollution cases. She recently joined forces with attorneys Weitz & Luxenberg to advocate for the rights of people with asbestos-related diseases and is also working with the law firm of Girardi & Keese. Erin has been involved with TV programs such as "Challenge America with Erin Brockovich" and "Final Justice" and she is the author of a book entitled, Take It from Me, Life's a Struggle, But You Can Win. For the past five years, Erin has also had an active lecture schedule. She toured extensively in 2008, including attending several summit meetings in Indonesia regarding environmental issues. Her 2009 lecture schedule includes India, Turkey, England, South Africa, Canada and several stops in the USA.

Environmental activist, motivational speaker, television host, author - it is hard to define Erin Brockovich. On her website she states that everyone believes, because of the movie, that she is an environmental activist but she describes herself more as a consumer or environmental advocate. "I am an advocate for awareness, the truth, and a person's right to know. My work is about helping people get the answers that they need and help them find the deceit that ends up jeopardizing them."

Erin was recently interviewed on Canada's late night talk show The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos. She also contributed to an online discussion on the Legal Talk Network about the controversy and litigation spinning around the Gardasil vaccine. Erin has been expanding her online presence, and information on her current cases is available on her official website www.brockovich.com and her blog: The Brockovich Report www.brockovichblog.com