Legendary Trial Lawyer Gerry Spence, Known for Landmark Victories, Dies at 96

Gerry Spence, the renowned trial lawyer from Wyoming, passed away on August 10, 2025, at the age of 96. Spence, known for his distinctive fringe jacket and gravelly voice, was once among the nation's most recognizable trial attorneys, having achieved fame for his string of major court victories.

Spence's most notable achievement was his $10.5 million verdict against the Kerr-McGee corporation in the landmark Karen Silkwood case in 1979. Silkwood, a nuclear worker, had been contaminated with plutonium and died in a car wreck a week later. Spence successfully argued that the company had been negligent in handling the plutonium that contaminated Silkwood. While the verdict was later reversed on appeal, the two sides eventually settled out of court for $1.3 million.

In addition to the Silkwood case, Spence also gained acclaim for successfully defending former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos against federal racketeering and fraud charges in 1990, as well as securing an acquittal for Randy Weaver, who was charged with murder and other counts for a 1992 shootout with federal agents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho.

Spence, who founded the Spence Law Firm in Jackson, Wyoming, and the Trial Lawyers College, was known for his unwavering commitment to defending the rights of the people against the "new corporate masters." His legacy as a champion of the underdog and a fierce advocate for justice will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations of trial lawyers to come.