Gerry Spence is an American trial lawyer who prides himself on not ever losing a criminal case in his more than 50 years of law practice. Spence has not been defeated in a civil case since 1969. Born on January 8, 1929 in Wyoming, Gerry Spence graduated from the University of Wyoming Law School in 1952. In 1990, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by the said university.

Gerry Spence started his career by defending insurance companies until he ultimately found his niche in representing people who have become victims of unjust criminal charges, serious personal injury, medical malpractice, and civil rights violations. Spence is nationally recognized for his numerous criminal case victories such as defending the estate of chemical technician and activist, Karen Silkwood against the Kerr-McGee plutonium production plant; representing white separatist Randy Weaver for murder and assault allegations; the case against Penthouse Magazine for Miss Wyoming; and defending former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos on charges of federal racketeering.

Following his successful defense of Detroit lawyer Geoffrey Fieger on charges of making unlawful campaign contributions, Spence announced in June 2008 that it would be his last case; although Spence still continues to actively practice law through his longtime law office, the Spence Law Firm in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, along with his partners. Additionally, Spence has won numerous multi-million dollar verdicts including a $52 million-verdict for a small ice cream company against McDonald’s Corporation; a $33.5 million-verdict for his quadriplegic client for emotional and punitive damages against a major insurance company; and more than $4 million medical malpractice verdict.

Gerry Spence is founder of the Trial Lawyers College, which trains lawyers and judges in representing defenseless and voiceless people against corporate and government oppression. Moreover, Spence founded a non-profit, public interest law firm, the Lawyers and Advocates for Wyoming (L.A.W.). Spence has appeared on a number of television shows including Larry King Live; as legal consultant for NBC television during their coverage of the O.J. Simpson murder trial; and several other television shows. Gerry Spence also had a brief hosting stint for The Gerry Spence Show from 1995 to 1996; a show which discussed certain social and legal issues that affected American people.

Gerry Spence is the author of 16 published books including Trial by Fire and Give Me Liberty.