Gerry Spence, Iconic ‘Country Lawyer’ Known for Fringe Jacket and Courtroom Wins, Dies at 96
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Gerry Spence, the iconic Wyoming trial lawyer celebrated for his distinctive fringe jacket and a remarkable string of courtroom victories, including a landmark judgment in the Karen Silkwood case, has died. He was 96.
Spence passed away late Wednesday, surrounded by his cherished friends and family, at his home in Montecito, California. Joseph H. Low IV, vice president and chief instructor at the Gerry Spence Method school for trial lawyers, lauded his profound impact, stating, “No lawyer has done as much to free the people of this country from the slavery of its new corporate masters.”
A Distinctive Style and Early Prominence
A captivating storyteller with a resonant, gravelly voice, Spence’s trademark suede fringe jacket was more than just a fashion statement; it was a symbol of his deep Wyoming roots and his unconventional approach to justice.
He rose to national prominence in 1979, securing a substantial $10.5 million verdict against Oklahoma City-based Kerr-McGee. The case was brought on behalf of the estate of Karen Silkwood, a nuclear worker who suffered plutonium contamination and died in a mysterious car wreck a week later. Silkwood’s father had alleged the company was negligent in its handling of the hazardous material. Though an appeals court later reversed the verdict, the parties ultimately reached an out-of-court settlement of $1.3 million. The dramatic events of the case captured public attention and were famously adapted into the 1983 movie “Silkwood,” starring Meryl Streep.
Other High-Profile Victories
- In 1990, Spence successfully defended former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos against federal racketeering and fraud charges.
- Just two years later, in 1992, he secured an acquittal for Randy Weaver, who faced murder and other charges following a deadly shootout with federal agents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho—an incident that tragically claimed the lives of an FBI agent, Weaver’s wife, and his 14-year-old son.
Beyond the Courtroom
Beyond his courtroom triumphs, Spence was a prolific figure in the legal community. He led the esteemed Spence Law Firm in Jackson, Wyoming, and established the Trial Lawyers College, a Wyoming retreat dedicated to honing the courtroom skills of attorneys. His literary contributions included more than a dozen books, notably the bestselling “How to Argue and Win Every Time.” He was also a frequent and recognizable presence on television, offering his insights on various legal matters.
A Life Forged in Wyoming
Born Gerald Leonard Spence on January 8, 1929, in Laramie, Wyoming, his early life was marked by the economic hardships of the Depression. His family supplemented their income by renting out rooms to boarders, and his mother often ingeniously sewed his clothes from the hides of elk hunted by his father. Decades later, his wife, Imaging, would continue this sartorial tradition by sewing his iconic fringe jackets. In his 1996 autobiography, “The Making of a Country Lawyer,” Spence reflected on this deeply personal connection: “Today when people ask why I wear a fringed leather jacket designed and sewn by my own love, Imaging, it is hard for me to explain that the small boy, now a man of serious years, still needs to wear into battle the protective garment of love.”
His youth was also shaped by profound personal losses. His little sister, Peggy, succumbed to meningitis when he was just four years old, and his mother tragically took her own life in 1949. Despite his father, a chemist, moving the family across several states for work, they ultimately returned to Wyoming. Spence graduated from Laramie High School and, after serving as a sailor, enrolled in the University of Wyoming. He earned his law degree cum laude from the University of Wyoming law school in 1952, though he required two attempts to pass the state bar exam.
Legal Path and Philosophy
Spence began his legal career in private practice in Riverton, Wyoming, before being elected Fremont County prosecutor in 1954. In 1962, he made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. House of Representatives in the Republican primary. He later returned to private practice, eventually growing dissatisfied with representing insurance companies and corporations, which he famously described as “those invisible creatures called corporations.”
Legacy and Accolades
Throughout his distinguished career, Spence received numerous accolades, including an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Wyoming and a lifetime achievement award from the Consumer Attorneys of California. In 2009, he was inducted into the American Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame, a testament to his enduring legacy.
Survivors
Gerry Spence is survived by his wife of 57 years, LaNelle “Imaging” Spence, and his children: Kip Spence, Kerry Spence, Kent Spence, Katy Spence, Brents Hawks, and Christopher Hawks. He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral arrangements are pending.
