Kentucky Lawyer

Boredom

3 Kentucky Lawyer Another story which I think is indicative of the caliber of lawyer Leslie Morris represents came from the late Xen Hicks, Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sith Circuit at Cincinnati. Judge Hicks said that on an occasion many years ago the case of Coca Cola Company v. John Doe was on appeal from a decision against the plaintiff on an alleged trademark infringement . The case was of great significance to the plaintiff as the corporation was afraid of a precedent. Judge Hicks said that when the court was seated he looked down at the counsel table of the plaintiff and saw distinguished lawyers from New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit, a corps of at least si of the top corporation lawyers in the country. He then glanced at the defendant’s table and saw sitting there all alone a “little round man.” The judge said it went through his mind, “well, these giants will soon eat that little fellow up.” He said, however, as soon as “the little round man” addressed the court, he evidenced that he was well able to take care of himself with his knowledge of the law of the case and the theory on which he asked a judgment for his client. His forceful argument more than matched that of his adversaries, and the case was decided in his favor. I heard Judge Hicks tell this David and Goliath story on many occasions, always to the delight of his audience and to the everlasting credit of Mr. Morris. Boredom Many of the humorous stories on lawyers come from the lawyer who may himself be the butt of the joke. One of 3 Mac Swinford these classics is from the late United States Senator Joe C. S. Blackburn of Versailles. As the story goes, when Senator Blackburn was a very young lawyer he announced his candidacy for the office of county attorney of Woodford County. He was opposed by another ambitious young man, and Blackburn seemed to be getting the worst of it. While the race was in progress, Joe was employed by a young defendant who had been indicted for murder. A trial was had and Joe’s client was sentenced to be hanged in front of the courthouse. On the morning of the hanging it occurred to young Blackburn that since there would be a big crowd in town to witness the hanging it would be a good time for him to make a campaign speech in behalf of his candidacy. He hurried to the jail to see his client, who, being within about an hour and a half of his demise, was in very low spirits, and the young lawyer was hesitant to broach the true purpose of his visit. He referred to and with condolences recalled the trial, how “unfair” the jury had been and how “inconsiderate” the judge had been in denying a new trial and finally lead up to the point. “Bill,” he said, “it looks like it’s about all over, doesn’t it?” “Yeah, Joe,” said Bill, “I reckon they ain’t nothin’ we kin do now.” “Well,” said the young lawyer, “I just been thinking. You remember that fifty dollars you promised me to defend you, don’t you?” “Yes,” answered the prisoner, “I remember it, Joe, and I’m sorry but I just ain’t got no money and it looks like now I’ll never have a chance to git none.” 37 Kentucky Lawyer Joe etended his hand. “Well, pardner,” he said, “I’m going to tell you how you can pay it and that’ll be one debt you won’t have to answer for on ’yon side the Jordan River.” “How’s that, Joe?” the condemned man asked. “I’d sure like to clear it up with you if I could.” The young politician’s enthusiasm rose and he laid out the plan. “Now, Bill, just before they put the hood over your head and the rope around your neck, the sheriff will ask if you have anything to say and you will be given time to make any statement you want to.” He stopped with the query, “You don’t want to say anything, do you?” “No, Joe, I ain’t got nothin’ to say. I kilt the man and that’s all they are to it.” “Bill,” said Joe...