King of Torts

On December 23, 2015, Joseph Jamail, considered one of the finest plaintiffs' lawyers to ever practice, passed away in Houston, Texas. Jamail was known as the "King of Torts'', a title he earned in 1984, when he represented Pennzoil and won the largest verdict in the history of the United States in the case of Pennzoil v. Texaco. Pennzoil had entered into negotiations to purchase Getty Oil when, according to Pennzoil, Texaco interfered with the transaction and acquired Getty. The jury awarded Pennzoil 10.5 billion dollars which was the largest verdict in

history. Jamail, up until that time, had been known for representing individuals who had been injured in motor vehicle collisions or as a result of defective products.

Although he was known for his wealth and philanthropy, he was most notably known for his work as a plaintiffs' tort lawyer. His contributions to public safety through the American Civil Justice System are truly legendary. Ralph Nader, one of America's true consumer advocates, said of Jamail "Over his long career of trial practice, Joe Jamail was Champion of Champions in applying the law of wrongful injuries (tort law) to hold perpetrates accountable for their wrong-doing. A generous philanthropist, he was an early founder of the American Museum of Tort Law. I was impressed with his honesty and candor in a contested working environment replete with incentives to the contrary. "

Jamail worked tirelessly to insure the rights of injured people through the American Civil Justice System. His advice to plaintiffs' attorneys was simple yet profound, "If you are not emotionally involved, your client is not getting your best effort." The legal profession, and particularly plaintiffs' tort lawyers, may never see the likes of Joseph Jamail. His legacy for the protection of the rights of injured people and the precedent setting cases which he was involved in will help insure the continuation of American Civil Justice which is, in this writer's opinion, the finest legal system for public safety ever designed by man. If you would like to learn more about Joseph Jamail and his numerous accomplishments in the civil justice system, I would suggest you visit his official website at www.joejamail.com. As well as the official website of the American Museum of Tort Law www.tortmuseum.org.