country lawyer who wore cowbot hat

Why is Gerry Spence famous?

Gerry Spence is a legend among the trial bar as one of the greatest trial lawyers of our times. His civil practice and defense of those charged with crimes has gained him an international reputation for his high profile cases and record results for the poor, the injured and the damned.

Is Gerry Spence still practicing law?

Gerald Leonard Spence (born January 8, 1929) is a semi-retired American trial lawyer. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame. Spence has never lost a criminal case either as a prosecutor or a defense attorney, and has not lost a civil case since 1969.

Who did Gerry Spence represent?

His representation of Imelda Marcos in 1990 resulted in an acquittal for multiple charges after a three and a half month trial and he successfully defended Randy Weaver on numerous charges—including murder, conspiracy, assault, and firearms charges—in the famous 1993 federal standoff case.

How many cases has the legendary lawyer Gerry Spence lost while prosecutor or defense lawyer?

Gerry Spence is widely considered one of the most successful trial and criminal attorneys in America. He has never once lost a criminal case — either as a prosecutor or a defense attorney — and he hasn't lost a civil case since 1969.

Who is the greatest lawyer of all time?

Four Famous Lawyers in History Every Attorney Should KnowJoe Jamail (aka King of Torts) During his time, Joe Jamail was the richest attorney in the United States and some would argue one of the most famous prosecutors to litigate. ... Abraham Lincoln (aka Honest Abe) ... Clarence Darrow. ... Mary Jo White.

Who is the richest lawyer in America?

Joseph Dahr Jamail Jr. The wealthiest practicing attorney in America, he was frequently referred to as the "King of Torts". Joseph D. Jamail Jr.

Who is Gerry Spence married to?

Imaging SpenceGerry Spence / Spouse

Does Gerry Spence have any children?

(a chemist) and Esther Sophie (a homemaker; maiden name, Pfleeger) Spence; married Anna Wilson, June 20, 1947 (divorced, 1969); married LaNelle Hampton Peterson Hawks (a designer), November 18, 1969; children: (first marriage) Kip, Kerry Spence Suendermann, Kent, Katy; Christopher Peterson Hawks, Brents Jefferson Hawks ...

Who has argued the most Supreme Court cases?

Paul ClementPaul Clement argued the most times with 30 total arguments. Neal Katyal was second with 21 arguments. Jeffrey Fisher had the third most with 18 arguments and Kannon Shanmugam had the fourth most with 15 arguments.

Do celebrities have personal lawyers?

They're the lawyers to the stars – and there are many. The highest-profile legal eagles, like Mark Geragos and the late Johnnie Cochran, have become TV celebrities unto themselves. But some of the busiest celeb lawyers in town these days are non-household names.

What is an attorney called?

In the United States, the terms lawyer and attorney are often used interchangeably. For this reason, people in and out of the legal field often ask, “is an attorney and a lawyer the same thing?”. In colloquial speech, the specific requirements necessary to be considered a lawyer vs attorney aren't always considered.

How much did Spence earn in 1992?

A medical malpractice verdict of over $4 million established a new standard for nursing care in Utah. In 1992 Spence earned $33.5 million verdicts for emotional and punitive damages for his quadriplegic client after a major insurance company refused to pay on the $50,000 policy. Mock trial: United States v. Oswald.

What did Spence do in 2004?

During the election season of 2004, Spence, a vocal opponent of tort reform, crisscrossed his native Wyoming spearheading a series of self-funded town hall-style meetings to inform voters of an upcoming ballot measure, Constitutional Amendment D, which would have limited Wyoming citizens' ability to recover compensation if injured by medical malpractice. The ballot measure failed, with a 50.3% "No" vote.

How much did Spence win?

Spence won a $10.5 million verdict for the family. In 1984, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the family's right to sue under state law for punitive damages from a federally regulated industry.

What was the first issue in the Harrington and McGhee case?

The first issue was whether Harrington and McGhee's constitutional rights to due process had been violated. The second was whether the city had failed to adequately train and supervise the police officers. When the judge polled the jurors to ensure all agreed, three women said no.".

Where did Spence start his career?

He started his career in Riverton, Wyoming, and later became a successful defense attorney for the insurance industry. Years later, Spence said he "saw the light" and became committed to representing people instead of corporations, insurance companies, banks, or " big business ". From 1954 to 1962 he served as Prosecuting Attorney ...

Did Spence lose a civil case?

After the Silkwood case, Spence tried a number of high-profile cases. He has not lost a civil case since 1969 and has never lost a criminal case with a trial by jury.

Who was the prosecutor for the Kennedy assassination?

In 1986, Spence defended Lee Harvey Oswald, the deceased assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, against well-known prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi in a 21-hour televised unscripted mock trial sponsored by London Weekend Television in the United Kingdom. The mock trial involved an actual U.S. judge, a jury of U.S. citizens, the introduction of hundreds of evidence exhibits, and many actual witnesses to events surrounding and including the assassination. The jury returned a guilty verdict. Expressing admiration for his adversary's prosecutorial skill, Spence remarked, "No other lawyer in America could have done what Vince did in this case." The "docu-trial" and his preparation for it inspired Bugliosi's 1600-page book examining the details of the Kennedy assassination and various related conspiracy theories, entitled Reclaiming History, winner of the 2008 Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime. Several times in the book Bugliosi specifically cites his respect for Spence's abilities as a defense attorney as his impetus for digging more deeply into various aspects of the case than he perhaps would have otherwise.

What is Gerry Spence's honor?

He was honored for law and letters by the American Academy of Achievement. This year the Wyoming State Bar honored Gerry with a 60-year achievement award for his lifetime of service to the people of Wyoming. Spence is the author of eighteen nationally published books, including: O.J.:

Where did Cum Laude go to law school?

He graduated cum laude from the University of Wyoming Law School in 1952, and has spent his lifetime representing the poor, the injured, the forgotten and the damned against what he calls “the new slave master,” a combine of mammoth corporations and gargantuan government.

Where does Spence live?

He lives in Jackson Hole, Wy oming with his wife of forty years, Imaging.

Who did Randy Weaver defend?

He has tried and won many nationally known cases, including the Karen Silkwood case (a movie was made of the case with Meryl Streep and Cher,); the defense of Randy Weaver at Ruby Ridge; the defense of Imelda Marcos ; the case against “Penthouse Magazine” for Miss Wyoming; and the murder defenses of Ed Cantrell and Sandy Jones.

Has Spence ever lost a civil case?

He has not lost a civil case since 1969.He has had more multi-million dollar verdicts without an intervening loss than any lawyer in America. Spence is the founder of the nationally acclaimed Trial Lawyers College which established a revolutionary method for training lawyers for the people.

Who did Spence represent in the Patriot Act?

Spence represented Brandon Mayfield, a modest Oregon attorney, against the United States in which Spence was instrumental in obtaining a federal court to hold the Patriot Act unconstitutional. He has never lost a criminal case either as a prosecutor or a defense attorney.

Who was Spence's attorney?

In 2008 in a politically charged case brought by the Justice Department in Michigan against attorney Geoffrey Fieger, Spence won complete acquittals for his client on a ten-count indictment alleging federal campaign contribution violations, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The cowboy hat is a defining piece of western wear for farm workers in the United States, Canada and northern Mexico as well as for country singers. It is recognized around the world as part of Old West cowboy lore. Nothing says Wild West more than a cowboy hat.

Old Western Country Singers Wore Cowboy Hats

The cowboy hat is a defining piece of western wear for farm workers in the United States, Canada and northern Mexico as well as for country singers. It is recognized around the world as part of Old West cowboy lore. Nothing says Wild West more than a cowboy hat.

Overview

Background

Spence graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1949 and from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1952. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in May 1990. He started his career in Riverton, Wyoming, and later became a successful defense attorney for the insurance industry. Years later, Spence said he "saw the light" and became committed to representing people instead of corporations, insurance companies, banks, or "big business".

High-profile cases

Tort reform activism

Public interest and television work

Later life

Partial bibliography

Further reading