Gerry Spence

Spence represented the family of Karen Silkwood in a civil case against the Kerr-McGee Corporation and secured a major jury verdict in 1979. He later defended Randy Weaver after the 1992 Ruby Ridge siege.

Spence has publicly described himself as undefeated in criminal defense trials, a claim repeated in his books and professional biographies. That formulation is narrower than saying he never lost any legal proceeding, because his career also included civil cases and other forms of litigation.

At Weaver's 1993 federal trial, the defense challenged the government's conduct surrounding Ruby Ridge. Weaver was acquitted of the most serious charges, including murder and conspiracy, but convicted of failing to appear in court.

Spence founded the Trial Lawyers College at his Thunderhead Ranch in Wyoming in 1994. Its training emphasizes storytelling, emotional honesty, psychodrama techniques, and courtroom advocacy for lawyers representing individuals.