who was famous jackson hole attorney

by Tanner Bins 4 min read

Gerry Spence has gained recognition on a national scale for his uncompromising representation and tireless pursuit of justice. Mr. Spence first earned acknowledgment when he successfully obtained a $10,500,000 verdict in the Karen Silkwood case, fighting on behalf of her children against Kerr-McGee.

Who is the founder of lawyers and advocates for Wyoming?

Gerry Spence, who turns 80 next month, has been practicing law for 560 years. He got his first big break in 1974 when he represented Karen Silkwood's family in …

Who is “the People’s lawyer?

Who are we? Where are we headed, and why? How can we live a more fulfilling life? How can we be free? What is the matter with justice in America? How can we get better judges, better trained lawyers, and how can lawyers serve the people better? And other ideas he carries around in his head. [wp_rss_aggregator link_before=' ' link_after=' '] Surrendering Power (Dated: 6-29-06) Kill …

Who is the founder of Trial Lawyers College?

Ian Smith. Jackson, WY Attorney with 1 year of experience. (307) 690-6442 172 Center St. Suite 203A. Jackson, WY 83001. Bankruptcy, Business and Real Estate. University of Wyoming College of Law. Show Preview. View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer. Ian Smith was born and raised in Jackson, Wyoming.

Who was the lawyer for Lee Harvey Oswald?

2. Harrison Ford. Actor Harrison Ford and his wife, Calista Flockhart, have famously called Jackson Hole home for many years. Ford spends a lot of his time combining both his love of aviation and philanthropy, as is shown in this welcome video for the Wings Over The Rockies Air & Space Museum.

image

Is attorney Gerry Spence still alive?

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 is the most famous lawyer?

Famous Lawyers You Should KnowRobert Shapiro. Robert Shapiro is one of the best-known lawyers in American history. ... Thurgood Marshall. Thurgood Marshall was one of the most famous lawyers in American history. ... Woodrow Wilson. ... Johnnie Cochran. ... William Howard Taft. ... Andrew Jackson. ... Abraham Lincoln. ... Robert Kardashian.More items...

Who is the most famous lawyer of all time?

#1 Abraham Lincoln Lincoln represented clients in both civil and criminal matters. In all, Lincoln and his partners handled over 5,000 cases.

What is Gerry Spence doing now?

Defense lawyer Gerry Spence graduated from the University of Wyoming Law School and lives near Jackson.Jul 23, 2021

Who is the most successful attorney?

Without further ado, here's the current list of the top 12 wealthiest, practicing lawyers:Wichai Thongtang. Net Worth: $1.8 billion.Charlie Munger. Net Worth: $1.6 billion.Bill Neukom. Net Worth: $850 million.Judge Judy. Net Worth: $440 million.Robert Shapiro. Net Worth: $120 million.Willie E. Gary. ... John Branca. ... Roy Black.More items...•Sep 29, 2021

Who is the most powerful lawyer?

1. Jerry Brown:Xi Jinping:Mr. ... Megyn has worked at some of the biggest law firms in the World. ... John is a former Secretary of State of the United States of America and a Boston College Law alumni. ... The man who has been labelled as the most powerful person in the World ranks number 9 on our list.More items...•Feb 22, 2016

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Medical lawyers are among the highest-paid types of lawyers and earn one of the highest median salaries in the legal field.

Was Rob Kardashian a good lawyer?

Robert Kardashian is not just the father of the Kardashian sisters and Kris Jenner's first husband, he became famous even before his girls were a part of the TV shows. He was a popular lawyer and successful businessman with whom the media became obsessed during the OJ Simpson trial.

Was Abe Lincoln an attorney?

Prior to becoming a famous leader, however, Lincoln had a career as an accomplished attorney. In preparing for his legal career, Lincoln enthusiastically studied law books loaned to him, and on Sept. 9, 1836, he received his law license.

Who is the richest lawyer in America?

Top 50 Richest LawyersPeter Angelos. $2 Billion. ... Joe Jamail. $1.7 Billion. ... Jerry Reinsdorf. $1.5 Billion. ... Wichai Thongthan. $1.1 Billion. ... William Lerach. $900 Million. ... Bill Neukom. $850 Million. ... Judge Judy. $440 Million. ... Kurt Rappaport. $350 Million.More items...

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

Was F Lee Bailey a pilot?

Francis Lee Bailey was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, on June 10, 1933. He attended Harvard University but dropped out after two years, joined the Marines, became a fighter pilot, and joined a legal team at the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station in North Carolina.Jun 5, 2021

Where was Gary from?

From Business: Gary was born in and grew up in Casper, Wyoming. He went to college at Yale University and graduated in 1973 with a double degree in Political Science and…

What is YP in the Yellow Pages?

YP - The Real Yellow Pages SM - helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs. Search results are sorted by a combination of factors to give you a set of choices in response to your search criteria. These factors are similar to those you might use to determine which business to select from a local Yellow Pages directory, including proximity to where you are searching, expertise in the specific services or products you need, and comprehensive business information to help evaluate a business's suitability for you. “Preferred” listings, or those with featured website buttons, indicate YP advertisers who directly provide information about their businesses to help consumers make more informed buying decisions. YP advertisers receive higher placement in the default ordering of search results and may appear in sponsored listings on the top, side, or bottom of the search results page.

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 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 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.

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.

Proudly Serving Clients Nationwide

We are a different kind of law firm. We only do one thing -- fight for people -- and we do it well. We are trial lawyers driven by a passion for justice.

Most of our clients have been through an incredible tragedy that can often feel overwhelming

Our team of trial lawyers understand how overwhelming an unexpected accident can be. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed, you may not fully understand your legal options or know where to begin. At The Spence Law Firm, we constantly remind our clients that we will take care of them.

How old is Gerry Spence?

Gerry Spence, the 'country lawyer' from Wyoming, reflects on his life and career during a recent interview inside his log home in Wilson. Spence turns 80 years old on Jan. 8. (Derek DiLuzio, Star-Tribune correspondent)

How many books has Gerry published?

Gerry has published 16 books with the 17th forthcoming, he writes a regularly updated blog, he still teaches at the Trial Lawyers College that he founded, he continues honing his art as a photographer, and he still works on cases for his law firm, among many other things.

1. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian

It’s no secret that these days the Kardashian-West family have been spending quite a bit of time in Jackson Hole.

2. Harrison Ford

Actor Harrison Ford and his wife, Calista Flockhart, have famously called Jackson Hole home for many years.

3. Sandra Bullock

Famous for being America’s sweetheart, Sandra earned her fame and wealth by starring in a large and diverse portfolio of films, ranging from Speed to Miss Congeniality, to The Blind Side.

4. Travis Rice

Named #13 on Snowboarder magazines list of the 20 most influential snowboarders of the last 20 years, Travis Rice is known for being “‘the Paul Revere ‘ of the big mountain freestyle movement.”

5. Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Known primarily for her role as Elaine in Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been traveling to Jackson Hole since she was 14 years old.

6. Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Serving as Secretary of Defense for President George H. W. Bush from 1989 to 1993, and later served as Vice President under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009 has gained fame for being cited as “the most powerful vice president in American history.”

7. Nikki Sixx

Motley Crue’s bassist Nikki Sixx recently relocated to Jackson Hole with his family and has taken to Instagram to show off the view from his backyard which includes a pool and plenty of Wyoming mountains.

What is Jackson Hole famous for?

Known for its “cowboy powder” and challenging runs, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was recently rated the number one ski resort in North America by Forbes magazine. In addition to expert and backcountry terrain, the mountain offers plenty of beginner and intermediate runs too.

How much are lift tickets at Jackson Hole?

Skiing here: The cost of a full-day lift ticket at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is on average $160; it's $59 at Snow King, and Grand Targhee's full-day ticket is $99. Buying lift tickets online can save you as much as $10 per ticket per day and weekly tickets are also a bit less than daily ones.

Is Jackson Hole Too difficult?

Jackson has long been known as the most challenging ski resort in the country, and there is a good argument for that. Half of the mountain's terrain is rated expert, it has one of North America's biggest vertical drops, and its Corbet's Couloir run routinely tops lists of scariest slopes.

Why do they call it Jackson Hole?

Jackson Hole got its famous name from the legacy of the fur trappers and explorers who discovered this valley nestled beneath the grandeur of the Tetons. One trapper in particular, a man named David E. Jackson, named this area as his favorite trapping ground. Soon after, in about 1829, this area was named for him.

How far is Jackson Hole Wyoming?

Jackson Hole is a valley about 80 miles long and 15 miles wide; Jackson is the major town within the valley. The hole begins six miles south of Yellowstone Park and tapers down to the width of the Snake River at Munger Mountain, south of Jackson.

What is Jackson WY known for?

Within Jackson Hole is the main town - Jackson - as well as Teton Village where the famous Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ski hill likes. The Town of Jackson is famous for it's Town Square that has four elk antler arches large enough for five people to walk under.

What cities have direct flights to Jackson Hole Wyoming?

The Jackson Hole Airport provides direct flight services to 12 major cities across the U.S. These include:

image

Numerous Lifetime Achievement Awards

  • Gerry Spence takes pride in being a country lawyer. Born, raised and educated in Wyoming, Spence graduated cum laudefrom 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 …
See more on spencelawyers.com

Gerry's Notable Cases

  • 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. Spence received a $52,000,000 ver…
See more on spencelawyers.com

Published Works

  • Spence is the author of eighteen published books: 1. Gunning for Justice, (Doubleday 1982); 2. Of Murder and Madness, (Doubleday 1983); 3. Trial by Fire, (William Morrow 1986); 4. With Justice For None, (Times books 1989, Penguin Books paperback 1990); 5. From Freedom to Slavery, (St. Martin's Press 1993); 6. How to Argue and Win Every Time, (St. Martin's Press 1995); 7. The Mak…
See more on spencelawyers.com

Distinguished Memberships

  • Spence is the founder and a former director of the nonprofit Trial Lawyers Collegewhere lawyers, young and old, learn the Spence method of trying cases on behalf of the people. The Trial Lawyers College also conducts a yearly death penalty seminar for public defenders and others defending against the death penalty, and Trial Lawyers College provides four weekly seminars around the c…
See more on spencelawyers.com

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