Twenty Famous Lawyers

An entertaining diversion for lawyers and others, Twenty Famous Lawyers focuses on household names and high profile cases. Contains valuable insights into legal ways and means and looks at the challenges of advocacy, persuasion and the finest traditions of the law. With a backdrop of famous cases and personalities, Twenty Famous Lawyers is a kaleidoscope of information about the world of lawyers. To the fore are 20 individuals selected by John Hostettler as representative of those who have left their mark on legal developments. Ranging across countries, cultures and time these are people who helped raise (or in some cases lower) the law's values and standards. From high politics to human rights to legal loopholes, manipulation, pitfalls and downright trickery, the book is also a celebration of the contribution made by lawyers to society and democracy - often by those pushing boundaries or challenging injustice or convention. The book's 'supporting cast' includes such diverse personalities as Julius Caesar, Oscar Wilde, Gilbert and Sullivan, the Prince Regent and Lily Langtry. It covers trials for treason, murder, terrorism and even regicide, visiting courts from the Old Bailey to the Supreme Court of the USA to those of Ancient Rome. With chapters on: Clarence Darrow, Edward Carson, William Howe and Abraham Hummel, Matthew Hale, Marcus Cicero, Henry Brougham, John Adams, Helena Kennedy, Norman Birkett, Jeremy Bentham, Geoffrey Robertson, Abraham Lincoln, Edward Coke, Thomas Jefferson, Shami Chakrabati, James Fitzjames Stephen, Edward Marshall Hall, Gareth Peirce, Lord Denning and Cesare Beccaria. From the Text [Henry Brougham] first made a name...as a lawyer by his defence of the brothers John Hunt and John Leigh Hunt in two prosecutions for seditious libel in their newspaper, The Examiner. The first trial, on 22 January 1811, arose from an article entitled "One Thousand Lashes!!" which attacked flogging in the army. As William Cobbett had only recently been fined and sent to prison for two years for criticising army flogging in his Political Register the verdict against Hunt could hardly be in doubt. Nevertheless, Brougham secured a brilliant acquittal [after a speech] which was remarkable for "great ability, eloquence and manliness."

About the Author. Preface. 1. Clarence Darrow: Freedom and Humanity. 2. Edward Carson: Strong Man of Politics and the Law. 3. William Howe and Abraham Hummel: Tricksters and Criminals. 4. Matthew Hale: Judge, Jurist, Writer, Reformer. 5. Marcus Tullius Cicero: Birth of the Rule of Law. 6. Henry Brougham: Glitz of Cannes to the Calm of the Woolsack. 7. John Adams: Constitutional Draftsman and President. 8. Helena Kennedy: Parliament, Court and College. 9. Norman Birkett: One of the 'Great Advocates'. 10. Jeremy Bentham: Utility, Punishment and Law. 11. Geoffrey Robertson: Rights, Romans and Regicides. 12. Abraham Lincoln: Law, Politics and Civil War. 13. Edward Coke: Champion of the Common Law. 14. Thomas Jefferson: Visionary and Founding Father. 15. Shami Chakrabati: Equality, Respect and Human Rights. 16. James Fitzjames Stephen: Codes and Colonies. 17. Edward Marshall Hall: Forensic Skills and Spell-binding Eloquence. 18. Gareth Peirce: Public Works, Private Life. 19. Alfred Denning: People's Judge and an Unlikely Celebrity. 20. Cesare Beccaria: Crusader Against Torture. Select Bibliography. Index.