Product Details
©2004
Jim M. Purdue, Esquire
Published by The State Bar of Texas
The stories in I Remember Atticus: Inspiring Stories Every Trial Lawyer Should Know range from ancient to contemporary, exploring the origins of our modern civil justice system and revealing its deep spiritual and philosophical roots. Author Jim M. Perdue takes inspiration from Atticus Finch of To Kill a Mockingbird to remind us of the qualities of faith, freedom, equality, courage, and perseverance that inform the American spirit-values without which justice cannot prevail.
In this entertaining and instructive book, we learn of a prophet who divines a rule of legal procedure so fundamental today that many lawyers do not know its ancient origins. We see a single brave juror more than three centuries ago lead his fellows to defy the authorities and go to jail rather than deliver a false verdict. We read of a courageous lawyer defending a man condemned and convicted by the forces of wealth and power before even being tried. We begin to understand the true meaning of heroism when we read of a judge who ignores the malicious bigotry of his community to set aside an unjust verdict. And we learn what perseverance means from the actions of a small group of taxpayers enduring the most trying of circumstances in a quest for equality that transforms American society.
These and other stories help us appreciate the unique role of the citizen jury in our democracy. Though he struggled in vain for his client and his cause, Atticus Finch fought to make the jury system work because he knew that the independent jury is fundamental to our freedoms. Perdue's stories remind us why.
I Remember Atticus is more than a collection of inspiring stories. It is also an indispensable resource for the trial lawyer seeking more effective persuasion techniques. Perdue gives generously of his wealth of trial experience to show how novices and veterans alike may use our core values for practical advocacy. And he does so in a way that entertains, informs, and inspires.
About the Author
Jim M. Perdue graduated with honors from the University of Houston with a B.S. in 1961 and from the University of Houston Law Center in 1963.
During his professional career, Mr. Perdue has achieved numerous million-dollar verdicts and settlements in various types of personal injury cases. One verdict-for $12 million-was, at the time it was rendered, the largest such jury verdict in a medical malpractice case in Texas.
He is a member of the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocates (the top one hundred trial lawyers in the country), board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers. He is named in every edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
The University of Houston Law Center named him outstanding alumnus in 1977, the Texas Bar Foundation honored him with its first annual Outstanding Law Review Article Award, and he is the recipient of the State Bar of Texas's Gene Cavin Award for excellence in continuing legal education. Mr. Perdue has authored numerous treatises on medical malpractice and products liability and has written more than forty law review and journal articles. His last book, Who Will Speak for the Victim? A Practical Treatise on Plaintiff's Jury Argument (1989), is in its fourth printing by the State Bar of Texas. More recently he edited and wrote a chapter in the book Who Speaks for Justice? (1999).
Mr. Perdue is a partner in the Houston-based Perdue Law Firm, L.L.P.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Faith
Freedom
Equality
Courage
Perserverance
Facts Every Trial Lawyer Should Know
Inspiring with Your Trial Story
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index
I Remember Atticus
Tags Litigation/Trial Practice