Gerry Spence, the legal maverick from Wyoming, has died at age 96. Mr. Spence, who often wore a white Stetson cowboy hat, snakeskin boots and a buckskin fringed jacket to court, has been called America’s greatest trial lawyer. Mr. Spence was reputed to have never lost a criminal jury trial as a prosecutor or a defense lawyer. He successfully defended dozens of high profile cases, that were seemingly hopeless, by using a homespun, story telling style that appealed to the common man. Perhaps his best known case was the defense of Imelda Marcos, the widow of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, who was accused of looting the Philippine treasury of $ 200 million, to purchase Manhattan real estate, and luxury clothing and shoes. Mr. Spence charmed a New York City federal jury by being real with them, and using common language, instead of fancy or confusing “legalese”. He taught this same practice to hundreds of aspiring trial lawyers, at his Trial Lawyers College, located at his Thunderhead Ranch, Dubois, Wyoming. The Trial Lawyers College does not accept prosecutors, government lawyers, insurance defense lawyers or corporate lawyers. Instead, it trains lawyers “for the people and for justice”. I had the honor of studying at the Trial Lawyers College in 2009, at it changed the way that I practice law and try criminal cases. Mr. Spence was also a best selling author, having written over 20 books. He is survived by his second wife, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Supreme Court Temporarily Ducks the Issue in Second Amendment Right to Carry Gun Case
On April 27, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court punted on deciding the constitutionality of a New York City law restricting guns outside the home. The decision arose from a New York City law that barred the transport of firearms licensed for possession in the home, to any...
