Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gerry Spence

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 18, 2025

Discover the career path of Gerry Spence, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Gerry Spence was a renowned American trial lawyer and author, inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. Notably, he founded the Trial Lawyers College. Spence maintained an impressive record, never losing a criminal jury trial, whether prosecuting or defending, and remained undefeated in civil cases from 1969 to 2010. He is widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most accomplished lawyers and one of the best trial lawyers ever, celebrated by legal experts like Richard Falk as a "lawyer par excellence."

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1949: Graduated from the University of Wyoming

In 1949, Gerry Spence graduated from the University of Wyoming.

1952: Graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law

In 1952, Gerry Spence graduated first in his class from the University of Wyoming College of Law.

1954: Start as prosecuting attorney

In 1954, Gerry Spence began serving as the prosecuting attorney of Fremont County, Wyoming.

1962: End as prosecuting attorney

In 1962, Gerry Spence finished his service as the prosecuting attorney of Fremont County, Wyoming.

1969: Start of not losing a civil case

After 1969, Gerry Spence did not lose a civil case.

1969: Beginning of Civil Case Winning Streak

In 1969, Gerry Spence began a winning streak in civil cases that would last until 2010.

1980: Dealt with around 50 murder cases

By 1980, Gerry Spence had dealt with around 50 murder cases, not losing a single one of them.

1981: Won libel damages for Kim Pring against Penthouse

In 1981, Gerry Spence won a $26.5 million lawsuit in libel damages for 1978 Miss Wyoming, Kim Pring, against Penthouse.

1984: Won lawsuit against McDonald's

In 1984, Gerry Spence won a $52 million lawsuit against McDonald's.

1984: Supreme Court upheld the family's right to seek punitive damages in Silkwood case

In 1984, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the Silkwood family's right to seek punitive damages under state law.

December 1985: Manslaughter case lost in bench trial

In December 1985, Gerry Spence lost a manslaughter case in a bench trial in Newport, Oregon, but later prevailed on appeal.

1986: Defended Lee Harvey Oswald in Mock Trial

In 1986, Gerry Spence defended Lee Harvey Oswald in absentia in a televised mock trial against Vincent Bugliosi.

1990: Defended David Foreman

In 1990, Gerry Spence defended Earth First! founder David Foreman, who had been charged with conspiracy.

1992: Earned $33.5 million verdict

In 1992, Gerry Spence earned $33.5 million verdicts for emotional and punitive damages for his quadriplegic client after a major insurance company refused to pay on the $50,000 policy.

1992: Successfully defended Randy Weaver

In 1992, Gerry Spence successfully defended Randy Weaver on murder, assault, conspiracy, and gun charges in the Ruby Ridge Standoff.

2004: Opposed Constitutional Amendment D

During the election season of 2004, Gerry Spence opposed Constitutional Amendment D in Wyoming, which would have limited citizens' ability to recover compensation for medical malpractice.

June 2, 2008: Acquittal of Geoffrey Fieger

On June 2, 2008, Gerry Spence obtained an acquittal for Detroit lawyer Geoffrey Fieger, who was charged with making unlawful campaign contributions.

2008: Spence announced possible retirement

In 2008, after winning the Fieger acquittal, Gerry Spence indicated this would be his last case before turning 80.

2010: Still Active in Spence Law Firm

In 2010, Gerry Spence was still listed as an active partner in the Spence Law Firm, located in Jackson, Wyoming, and continued to make public appearances.

2010: End of Civil Case Winning Streak

In 2010, Gerry Spence's winning streak in civil cases, which began in 1969, came to an end.

December 2012: Mistrial in Civil Suit

In December 2012, Gerry Spence's civil suit for wrongful incarceration ended with a mistrial.

October 2013: Settlement in Wrongful Incarceration Suit

In October 2013, the AP reported that the wrongful incarceration suit was settled between the two parties four days before a retrial was scheduled to start.