how to be a trial lawyer by jerry spence

Is Gerry Spence still a lawyer?

(September 2017) Gerald Leonard "Gerry" 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.

Did Spence ever lose a case as a prosecutor?

Spence has never lost a criminal case either as a prosecutor or a defense attorney, and has not lost a civil case since 1969. 2.3 Mock trial: United States v. Oswald

Who is the founder of Trial Lawyers College?

Spence is the founder of the nationally acclaimed Trial Lawyers College which established a revolutionary method for training lawyers for the people. He believes that what he has learned in a career should be shared with those who will continue to strive for justice on behalf of ordinary citizens.

How do you choose a lawyer for a criminal case?

Invite the jury to feel and experience the actions as though they were there. Lawyers should be chosen because they can demonstrate a history rich in human traits, the ability to care, the courage to fight, the will to win, a concern for the human condition, a passion for justice and simple uncompromising honesty.

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.

Why is Gerry Spence famous?

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 did Gerry Spence represent?

Gerry’s most recent criminal trial, in 2008, was a defense of attorney Geoffrey Fieger. In the politically charged case brought by the Justice Department, Spence won complete acquittals for Fieger on a ten-count indictment alleging federal campaign contribution violations, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Who is the richest lawyer in America?

(October 19, 1925 – December 23, 2015) was an American attorney and billionaire. The wealthiest practicing attorney in America, he was frequently referred to as the "King of Torts"....Joseph Dahr Jamail Jr.Joseph D. Jamail Jr.Alma materUniversity of Texas School of LawOccupationAttorney4 more rows

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 ...

What type of lawyer gets paid most?

Types of Lawyers That Make the Most MoneyTax attorney (tax law): $122,000;Corporate lawyer: $118,000;Employment lawyer: $88,000;Real estate attorney: $87,000;Divorce attorney: $86,000;Immigration attorney: $85,000;Estate attorney: $84,000;Public defender: $66,000.More items...

Who is the world's best criminal lawyer?

Who Is The Number 1 Lawyer In The World? After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1962, Alan Dershowitz went straight to work. According to Fortune magazine, he is "corporate America's number one hired gun." He joined the Harvard Law School faculty in 1964 and was made a full professor in 1967.

What if a lawyer knows his client is lying?

(3) offer evidence that the lawyer knows to be false. If a lawyer, the lawyer's client, or a witness called by the lawyer, has offered material evidence and the lawyer comes to know of its falsity, the lawyer shall take reasonable remedial measures, including, if necessary, disclosure to the tribunal.

Did Gerry Spence lose a case?

Mr. Spence did not lose a civil case from 1969 - 2010, and he has never lost a criminal case. Mr. Spence earned his law degree from the University of Wyoming Law School, graduating cum laude in 1952.

Is Gerry Spence married?

Imaging SpenceGerry Spence / Spouse

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.

Who is Gerry Spence?

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.

Where did Spence go to law school?

Born, raised and educated in Wyoming, Spence graduated cum laude from the University of Wyoming Law School in 1952. The University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in May 1990. He has been honored for law and letters by the American Academy of Achievement.

How much did Spence get for the Karen Silkwood case?

Spence first gained national recognition when he received a $10,500,000 verdict against Kerr-McGee in the Karen Silkwood case on behalf of her children. Later he earned such verdicts as $26,535,000 against “Penthouse Magazine” for Miss Wyoming, and successfully defended Ed Cantrell in the famous Rock Springs, Wyoming murder case .

What was the verdict for the 1992 case of the Quadriplegic?

In 1992, he received a record-breaking $15,000,000 verdict for emotional damages incurred by his quadriplegic client because a major insurance company refused to pay the $50,000 policy more than twenty years earlier. Two weeks later he added $18,500,000 in punitive damages to the award.

How many books has Spence written?

Spence is the author of eighteen published books:

How much did Spence pay in punitive damages?

Two weeks later he added $18,500,000 in punitive damages to the award. In 1993, Spence successfully defended Randy Weaver on murder, assault, conspiracy, and gun charges in the famous Idaho federal standoff case.

What was the charge against Geoffrey Fieger?

In 2008 at the age of 79, Spence defended Geoffrey Fieger in Michigan in a politically charged case brought by the Justice Department against Geoffrey Fieger for alleged violations of federal laws governing campaign contributions. The ten count indictment also charged conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

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.

Who is Gerry Spence?

He is the founder of Lawyers and Advocates for Wyoming, also a pro bono law firm representing the indigent. Spence has received numerous awards including an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Wyoming; in 2008 he received the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Consumer Attorneys of California (formerly California Trial Lawyers Association.) In 2009 he was inducted into the American Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame, which includes John Adams and Clarence Darrow. 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.

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.:

How many books has Spence written?

Spence is the author of eighteen nationally published books, including:

Where does Spence live?

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

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.

How many books has Gerry Spence written?

Gerry Spence is the author of more than a dozen books, including:

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 ...

How much did Spence win in the case of McDonald's?

In civil litigation, Spence won a $52 million verdict against McDonald's Corporation on behalf of a small, family-owned ice cream company. 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.

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.

When did Spence receive the Golden Plate Award?

Spence received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1996.

Where has Spence lectured?

For many years, Spence has lectured at law schools and conducted seminars at various legal organizations around the country.

Legendary Trial Lawyer

See more on spencelawyers.com

Numerous Lifetime Achievement Awards

Gerry's Notable Cases

Published Works

Distinguished Memberships