The Associated Press
Various Sources
When news of the death of crusading attorney Gerry Spence became known, it stirred memories in local attorney Cesar De Leon, who attended one of his month-long legal seminar/retreats at Thunderhead Ranch, Wyoming.
He summed up Spence's legal philosophy in a Lakota (Teton Sioux) saying:
“Tell me, and I will listen. Show me, and I will understand. Involve me, and I will learn."
"Gerry Spence's legacy endures through those shaped by the Trial Lawyers College that he founded. Spending a month at the college transforms you, not just as a lawyer, but as a human being, " De Leon said.
“Tell me, and I will listen. Show me, and I will understand. Involve me, and I will learn."
"Gerry Spence's legacy endures through those shaped by the Trial Lawyers College that he founded. Spending a month at the college transforms you, not just as a lawyer, but as a human being, " De Leon said.
"We stand committed to justice for the poor, the injured, the forgotten, and the voiceless, those who need it most. May his legacy live on, and may he rest in peace knowing we carry the baton."
Spence, the the fringe jacket-wearing trial lawyer from Wyoming known for a string of major court wins starting with a multimillion-dollar judgment against a plutonium processor in the landmark Karen Silkwood case, has died.
Spence, 96, died late Wednesday surrounded by family at his home in Montecito, California, according to a family statement.
Spence, 96, died late Wednesday surrounded by family at his home in Montecito, California, according to a family statement.
Spence dedicated his life to fighting for the rights and freedom of ordinary people, colleague Joseph H. Low IV said in a statement.
“No lawyer has done as much to free the people of this country from the slavery of its new corporate masters,” said Low, vice president and chief instructor at the Gerry Spence Method school for trial lawyers.
"He began building his army of constitutional warriors when he opened his ranch in Wyoming up in 1994 to training lawyers on how to find their voice and how to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. He has passed his teachings on to us all and his ranch continues to shape and meld hard, warriors for the battles fought throughout courtrooms across the world.
“No lawyer has done as much to free the people of this country from the slavery of its new corporate masters,” said Low, vice president and chief instructor at the Gerry Spence Method school for trial lawyers.
"He began building his army of constitutional warriors when he opened his ranch in Wyoming up in 1994 to training lawyers on how to find their voice and how to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. He has passed his teachings on to us all and his ranch continues to shape and meld hard, warriors for the battles fought throughout courtrooms across the world.
"He will be greatly missed but his spirit lives on Thunderhead Ranch where lawyers will continue to be trained in the art and science of trial. Where lawyers train to become warriors."
A polished raconteur with a gravelly voice whose trademark suede fringe jacket advertised his Wyoming roots, Spence was once among the nation’s most recognizable trial attorneys.
He achieved fame in 1979 with a $10.5 million verdict against Oklahoma City-based Kerr-McGee on behalf of the estate of Silkwood, a nuclear worker tainted with plutonium who died in a car wreck a week later. Silkwood’s father accused the company of negligently handling the plutonium that contaminated his daughter.
An appeals court reversed the verdict and the two sides later agreed to an out-of-court settlement of $1.3 million.
The events became the basis for the 1983 movie “Silkwood” starring Meryl Streep.
An appeals court reversed the verdict and the two sides later agreed to an out-of-court settlement of $1.3 million.
The events became the basis for the 1983 movie “Silkwood” starring Meryl Streep.
8 comments:
RIP
Why always "surrounded by his family"?
Why not, "in the presence of his family."
'Surrounded' has another imagery in the West, where he lived.
Like by Indians. . . . . . . .
He was the White Johnny Cochran....fact.
Nevah hoid a dis guy.
Sounds like he cared, great. . .que bonito. However, here in Brownsville we have nothing but grifters and shills as lawyers. . .Mas culero if he's a lawyer/realtor Y mas puto if he's a lawyer/realtor/developer. Also, these chacals live at the Island. They don't give a shit for anyone making under 80k.
Nice article.
Shedeur????
Ninety six
Wow
Bien vivido
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