james donovan, attorney who represented a spy

by Dane Hettinger III 4 min read

In 1957, Donovan defended the Soviet spy Rudolf Abel in what was known as the Hollow Nickel Case after many other lawyers refused. He later brought in Thomas M. Debevoise to assist him. Abel was convicted at trial, but Donovan was successful in persuading the court not to impose a death sentence.

Did Rudolf Abel give Donovan a painting?

As Abel proceeds, he tells Donovan he earlier sent the lawyer a gift � a painting, which turns out to be a portrait of Donovan in the courtroom. So Abel has left no doubt that Donovan will have the painting regardless of what happens on the bridge. (Interestingly, Donovan would later become president of Pratt.)

What kind of law does Jim Donovan practice?

insurance lawyerTom Hanks plays James Britt Donovan, a New York insurance lawyer (to be more specific, property/casualty coverage lawyer) who, at the height of the Cold War, at the request of the Brooklyn Bar Association, represented Soviet spy Rudolf Abel against espionage charges.

How accurate was the movie Bridge of Spies?

War is Boring writes, “Bridge of Spies' attention to detail is incredible. The costumes, props, military information and spycraft techniques are all pretty close to historically accurate. Charman and the Coens streamlined the details of the story, but the broad strokes remain true.

Who does Mr Donovan meet at the Soviet embassy?

Who does Mr. Donovan meet at the Soviet Embassy? Rudolf Abel's family - wife, daughter and cousin 36.

What happened Jim Donovan?

On May 25, 2011, during the 11 pm newscast, Donovan announced he had been battling leukemia for the last ten years, and that he would be taking a leave of absence to undergo a (what would be a successful) bone marrow transplant.

Is James Donovan real?

James Britt Donovan (February 29, 1916 – January 19, 1970) was an American lawyer and United States Navy officer in the Office of Scientific Research and Development and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency), ultimately becoming general counsel of the OSS, and an ...

Why did James Donovan defend Rudolf Abel?

Donovan believed everyone deserves a defense After refusing to cooperate with the U.S. government, Abel was indicted on espionage charges. Now he needed a lawyer. Defending an alleged Soviet spy wasn't a sought-after assignment in 1950s America.

What happened to Rudolf Abel after the exchange?

Abel returned to Moscow, where he was forced into retirement by the KGB, who feared that during his five years of captivity U.S. authorities had convinced him to become a double agent. He was given a modest pension and in 1968 published KGB-approved memoirs. He died in 1971.

What does Rudolf Abel find under a park bench?

Abel ends up at a park where he sits on a bench to paint. He recovers a coin under a bench. He returns to his apartment and uses a razor to split the coin open, where he finds that it contains a piece of paper. Soon, Blasco and Gamber, joined by other FBI agents, storm into Abel's home and arrest him for espionage.

What is the name of the American pilot that got caught and convicted for spying by the Soviets?

pilot Francis Gary PowersIn the USSR, captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers is sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for his confessed espionage. On May 1, 1960, Powers took off from Pakistan at the controls of an ultra-sophisticated Lockheed U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

What was embarrassing about the u2 spy plane incident?

On May 1, 1960, an America U-2 spy plane was shot down in Soviet airspace, causing great embarrassment to the United States, which had tried to conceal its surveillance efforts from the USSR.

What is the third charge of Rudolf Abel?

Conspiracy to obtain defense information – 10 years imprisonment; and.