Gerry Spence

Gerald Leonard Spence, born on January 8, 1929, in Laramie, Wyoming, became a prominent American trial lawyer and author. He graduated first in his class from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1952. Spence began his legal career in Riverton, Wyoming, initially representing corporations and insurance companies, achieving significant early success. However, he later shifted his focus, dedicating his practice to individuals over large entities, a turning point that defined his career.

Spence gained national and international recognition for his impressive track record, never losing a criminal jury trial as either a prosecutor or defense attorney, and maintaining an undefeated streak in civil trials after 1969. His high-profile cases included the Karen Silkwood case, where he secured a $10.5 million verdict for her family, and the successful defense of Imelda Marcos against racketeering charges. He also defended Randy Weaver in the Ruby Ridge standoff and won multi-million-dollar lawsuits against corporations like McDonald’s, including a $52 million verdict. These cases solidified his reputation as a formidable and unconventional lawyer.

Beyond the courtroom, Spence was a prolific author, with over a dozen books to his name, including the New York Times bestseller “How to Argue and Win Every Time”. He founded the non-profit Trial Lawyers College (now the Gerry Spence Method), dedicated to training lawyers to fight for the rights of the underprivileged against corporate and government power. He served as a legal consultant for NBC during the O.J. Simpson trial and appeared on various television shows, further cementing his public persona. Spence’s career spanned over 70 years, leaving a significant legacy in American jurisprudence before his death on August 13, 2025, at the age of 96.