Gerry Spence

Gerry Spence – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Gerry Spence (born January 8, 1929 – died August 13, 2025) was an iconic American trial lawyer, champion of individual rights, and author. Explore his biography, legal philosophy, landmark cases, and memorable words on justice and advocacy.

Introduction

Gerry Spence was one of the most celebrated trial lawyers in American history. Known for his folksy style—often wearing buckskin jackets with fringe—and his fierce advocacy for the underdog, Spence built a reputation for winning cases others refused to touch. He never lost a criminal trial before a jury and, from 1969 onward, is credited with not losing a civil trial (though some verdicts were overturned on appeal).

Beyond the courtroom, he was a prolific author, educator, and founder of the Trial Lawyers College (now known as the Gerry Spence Method), where he taught legal advocates to pursue justice for individuals against powerful interests.

This article delves into the life of Gerry Spence—his origins, his philosophy, his career highlights, his legacy, and the wisdom he shared through his writing and speeches.

Early Life and Family

Gerry Spence was born January 8, 1929, in Laramie, Wyoming. Gerald Leonard Spence.

He grew up in modest circumstances during the Great Depression. His family often rented to boarders to supplement income, and his mother sewed clothes, sometimes from hides of game hunted by his father.

Tragically, his younger sister Peggy died of meningitis when he was about four years old, and later, his mother died by suicide when Spence was 19. These losses profoundly affected him.

These early hardships sharpened his empathy for the vulnerable and shaped his sense of justice.

Youth, Education & Turning Points

Spence attended Laramie High School and later enrolled at the University of Wyoming. University of Wyoming College of Law in 1952, ranking first in his class.

He failed the bar exam on his first attempt but passed on his second.

Early in his legal career, Spence served as prosecuting attorney for Fremont County, Wyoming from 1954 to 1962.

For years he defended insurance companies and corporate clients—perhaps the conventional path for a successful lawyer. But at some point, Spence experienced what he saw as a moral reckoning: he realized that many powerful interests were using the law to dominate the weak. He resolved to leave corporate clients behind and dedicate his career to individuals.

This pivot would define his life’s work.

Career and Achievements

Building a Reputation in the Courtroom

Spence gained national attention through a series of landmark cases. Among the most famous:

• Karen Silkwood case (1970s–1980s): Representing the family of whistleblower Karen Silkwood, who worked at a plutonium facility, Spence secured a $10.5 million verdict (later settled for ~$1.3 million) against Kerr-McGee Corporation.

• Penthouse libel / privacy case: He obtained a $26.5 million libel verdict for Miss Wyoming Kim Pring against Penthouse, asserting her privacy rights.

• McDonald’s breach of contract / fraud case: A relatively small family-owned ice cream business faced McDonald’s; Spence secured a $52 million verdict.

• Imelda Marcos defense: Spence handled the racketeering and fraud trial of former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos and won.

• Randy Weaver / Ruby Ridge: In defending Randy Weaver—with serious charges including murder stemming from the 1992 standoff—Spence avoided calling any defense witnesses, instead undermining the prosecution’s case. The jury acquitted on major charges.

Spence became known for taking “lost causes”—cases where the odds seemed overwhelming—and winning them. He never lost a criminal jury trial, and from 1969 forward his civil losses (in terms of verdicts) were virtually non-existent, though appellate reversals did occur.

He was inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2009.

Teaching, Writing & Advocacy

Spence authored more than a dozen books on trial law, advocacy, and social justice. Among his most well-known works:

• How to Argue & Win Every Time (1995)

• Win Your Case (2005)

• From Freedom to Slavery: The Rebirth of Tyranny in America (1993)

• The Making of a Country Lawyer (1996)

• Trial by Fire (1986), recounting one of his libel cases

In 1993, he established the Trial Lawyers College (later renamed the Gerry Spence Method), located at Thunderhead Ranch in Wyoming, to train lawyers and judges in his approach: emphasizing authenticity, persuasion, moral clarity, and empathy in courtroom advocacy.

He also founded Lawyers and Advocates for Wyoming, a pro bono firm focused on helping the underrepresented.

His presence extended beyond the courtroom—Spence served as legal commentator during the O. J. Simpson trial for NBC, appeared on talk shows like Larry King Live, and even hosted his own talk show on CNBC from 1995 to 1996.

Though he declared that after winning a verdict for Geoffrey Fieger in 2008 he would “put down the sword,” he continued to consult, lecture, and occasionally take cases.

Spence passed away on August 13, 2025, at his home in Montecito, California, at the age of 96.

Historical & Cultural Context

• “Country Lawyer” Persona & Style
  Spence cultivated a distinctive image: buckskin jacket with fringe, Western accent, and rhetorical flair. His aesthetic signaled his roots and connected him with jurors as a storyteller rather than a distant legal technocrat.

• Shifting the Role of the Lawyer
  In an era when many lawyers defended the interests of corporations or governments, Spence’s pivot to championing individuals—particularly the marginalized or powerless—marked him as a moral and rhetorical outlier.

• Courtroom Advocacy as Narrative
  Spence believed successful trials are narratives—stories told to a jury that must be emotionally, ethically, and logically compelling. His method emphasized speaking plainly, connecting with jurors as human beings, and framing truth in a moral dimension.

• Impact on Legal Education & Ethics
  Through his college and writings, Spence influenced countless lawyers to rethink litigation as a moral vocation rather than a power game. His teachings stressed integrity, civic responsibility, and balancing zeal with humility.

Legacy and Influence

Gerry Spence’s legacy is profound and multifaceted:

• Model of the People’s Lawyer: He is often cited as the quintessential litigator for individuals against entrenched power, setting a standard for moral courage in law.

• Enduring Pedagogue: The Gerry Spence Method continues to train advocates worldwide, extending his philosophy beyond his lifetime.

• Literary Influence: His books remain influential not just in legal circles but for anyone interested in persuasion, argumentation, and ethics.

• Cultural Icon: His persona bridged law and folklore—he became a cultural reference for what a courageous challenger to the status quo looks like.

• Ethical Benchmark: Many young lawyers point to Spence as a touchstone—his career shows that legal excellence can align with moral purpose.

Personality, Approach & Talents

From accounts and his own reflections, some core features of Spence’s character and method shine through:

• Empathy & Moral Imagination: He listened to clients’ stories deeply and bore their emotional burdens as his own.

• Courage & Fearlessness: He willingly took on cases deemed “impossible” and confronted powerful defendants.

• Plainspoken Eloquence: He avoided legalese, speaking naturally and directly to jurors and audiences.

• Storytelling as Advocacy: He framed trials as narratives with protagonists, conflicts, and moral stakes.

• Consistency of Principle: Once he committed to defending the powerless, he rarely wavered—even when appeal courts reversed verdicts.

One of his guiding principles was: justice should not be only for the rich and powerful, but for all, regardless of status.

Famous Quotes of Gerry Spence

Here are several quotes that exemplify Spence’s philosophy, wit, and legal insight:

“In the end, the lawyer buys goods and sells them; the goods are truth and justice.” “All we can do is fight for justice and truth and hope the tides of chance are kind.” “When the law is against you, abuse it.” “Truth is a powerful weapon. Use it wisely.” (various renditions appear in his lectures) “You represent not a case—only a person.” “Don’t just do the right thing—make it right in the eyes of those who decide.” “A courtroom is a battlefield of the heart and the mind.” (an oft-repeated image from his teachings)

These words reflect his conviction that law, when practiced well, is a tool for justice—not merely for winning.

Lessons from Gerry Spence

1. Advocacy is moral work. Litigation is not just about arguments or technicalities—it’s about standing for people and values.

2. Narrative wins. Facts must be framed in stories that jurors can emotionally as well as rationally grasp.

3. Courage to choose the hard path. Spence’s move away from corporate clients shows the power of aligning one’s work with one’s deepest convictions.

4. Speak plainly. Clarity, authenticity, and directness resonate more than legal jargon.

5. Training is vital. His establishment of a teaching institution underscores that even great legal skill benefits from method, discipline, and mentorship.

Conclusion

Gerry Spence was more than a legendary trial lawyer—he was a cultural symbol, a teacher, and a moral compass for many in the legal profession. Through his courtroom victories, writings, and advocacy, he affirmed the idea that the law can—and should—protect the powerless. His life shows that the difference between a lawyer and a champion is not just talent, but purpose.

Recent News on Gerry Spence