lawyer who has never lost a case

by Evalyn Bogisich 10 min read

Gerald Leonard Spence

What lawyer has won the most cases?

The one attorney listed above with the perfect record, Adam Unikowski, went 6 for 6, which is impressive. But Paul Clement, who put up a 65% win rate, argued 23 cases, meaning he won double the number of cases as Unikowski.Sep 14, 2018

Who is the best lawyer of all time?

Of the most influential lawyers in American history, there are five that stand out. Five of the best lawyers in American history are Abraham Lincoln, Mary Jo White, Johnnie Cochran, Joe Jamail, and Thurgood Marshall.

Who is the best defense lawyer in the world?

Alan Morton Dershowitz is an American attorney, political commentator, and jurist. He has spent the past fifty years practicing the law and is well recognized for handling a number of high-profile legal cases.

Has Gerry Spence lost a case?

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.

What do lawyers fear the most?

Some of lawyers' most common fears include: Feeling that their offices or cases are out of control. Changing familiar procedures. Looking foolish by asking certain questions.Nov 1, 2015

Who is the best female lawyer in the world?

6 Famous Female Lawyers and Their Impact on The FieldHillary Rodham Clinton. Many people know her as a former first lady and presidential candidate, but some may not know that she holds a career in the legal field. ... Gloria Allred. ... Sandra Day O'Connor. ... Sonia Sotomayor. ... Loretta Lynch. ... Ruth Bader Ginsburg.Mar 24, 2021

What is a trial lawyer called?

Definition & Examples of a Litigator Litigators are attorneys who specialize in litigation, or taking legal action against people and organizations.Aug 4, 2020

What is the most a criminal lawyer can make?

The middle 57% of Criminal Defense Lawyers makes between $121,657 and $305,562, with the top 86% making $675,325.

Who is the richest lawyer in America?

The wealthiest practicing attorney in America, he was frequently referred to as the "King of Torts". In 2011, his net worth was estimated by Forbes to be $1.5 billion, making him the 833rd richest person in the world....Joe Jamail.Joseph D. Jamail Jr.Alma materUniversity of Texas School of LawOccupationAttorney4 more rows

Who is the biggest criminal lawyer in India?

Top Ten Criminal Lawyers in India 2020KTS Tulsi. ... Sushil Kumar. ... Shanti Bhushan. ... Ujjwal Nikam. ... Satish Manishinde. ... Pinky Anand. ... Kapil Sibal. ... Mukul Rohatgi. Mukul Awadh Behari Rohatgi is the former Attorney General of India[xlviii] and Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India.More items...•Aug 11, 2020

What is the biggest law firm in United States?

Baker McKenzie LLPAmerica's 350 Largest Law Firms2018No.Law FirmAttorneys1Baker McKenzie LLP47202DLA Piper LLP37023Norton Rose Fulbright LLP337645 more rows

Do celebrities have personal lawyers?

There is little fame in the law firm game. But some lawyers represent celebrities, and it seems like once they start they just can't stop themselves. Some enjoy the perks of representing big-name clients quietly.Oct 20, 2009

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.

Who was Karen Silkwood?

Spence gained attention for the Karen Silkwood case. Karen Silkwood was a chemical technician at the Kerr-McGee plutonium -production plant, where she became an activist and vocal critic of plant safety, also known as a whistleblower. On November 13, 1974, Silkwood died in a one-car crash under suspicious circumstances after reportedly gathering evidence for her union. Spence represented Silkwood's father and children, who charged that Kerr-McGee was responsible for exposing Silkwood to dangerous levels of radiation. Spence won a $10.5 million verdict for the family.

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.

Who was the founder of Earth First?

Spence also defended Earth First! founder David Foreman, who in 1990 had been charged with conspiracy for an alleged plot to sabotage a water-pumping station. On June 2, 2008, Spence obtained an acquittal of Detroit lawyer Geoffrey Fieger, who was charged with making unlawful campaign contributions.

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.

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Overview

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.

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

Spence gained attention for the Karen Silkwood case. Karen Silkwood was a chemical technician at the Kerr-McGee plutonium-production plant, where she became an activist and vocal critic of plant safety, also known as a whistleblower. On November 13, 1974, Silkwood died in a one-car crash under suspicious circumstances after reportedly gathering evidence for her union. Spence represented Silkwood's father and children, who charged that Kerr-McGee was responsible for e…

Tort reform activism

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.

Public interest and television work

For many years, Spence has lectured at law schools and conducted seminars at various legal organizations around the country.
He is the founder and director of the non-profit Trial Lawyers College, where, per its mission statement, lawyers and judges "committed to the jury system" are trained to help achieve justice for individuals fighting "corporate and government oppression," particularly those individuals wh…

Later life

After winning the Fieger acquittal in 2008, Spence told jurors, "This is my last case. I will be 80 in January, and it's time for me to quit, to put down the sword." In 2010, Spence was still listed as an active partner in the Spence Law Firm, located in Jackson, Wyoming, and continues to make public appearances. Gerry Spence's next case, a civil suit for wrongful incarceration, ended with a mistrial in December 2012, when the jury could not come to a unanimous decision. Per the cite t…

Partial bibliography

Gerry Spence is the author of more than a dozen books, including:
• Gunning for Justice - My Life and Trials (Doubleday 1982) ISBN 9780385177030
• Of Murder and Madness: A True Story of Insanity and the Law (Doubleday 1983) ISBN 978-0385188012
• Trial by Fire: The True Story of a Woman's Ordeal at the Hands of the Law (William Morrow 1986) ISBN 9780688060756

Further reading

• Wyoming in Profile, Pruett Publishing, Boulder, Colorado, 1981, by Jean Henry Mead. ISBN 9780871086006

• Wyoming in Profile, Pruett Publishing, Boulder, Colorado, 1981, by Jean Henry Mead. ISBN 9780871086006