Attorney
Joe Jamail
Notes from Evan Smith
"University of Texas alumnus Joe Jamail, called "the King of Torts" by Time and Newsweek, is one of the most influential lawyers in the United States.
Throughout his legal career, Jamail has taken on some of the nation's biggest corporations. His $11.12 billion verdict against Texaco in 1985 is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the largest civil damages award in history. His legal efforts have also caused the recall of three products -- the Remington 600, the Honda All-Terrain Three Wheeler and the prescription drug Parlodel.
Jamail is listed among Forbes magazine's 400 richest Americans, and has been cited by that magazine as the nation's highest paid plaintiff's attorney.
Jamail is considered the greatest supporter of the University of Texas law school, to which he has contributed a significant amount of time and money. Along with his wife Lee, he is also one of the top donors to the University in general.
Most recently, the Jamails donated $1 million to help establish 33 scholarships for minority students through the Texas Exes.
In October 2003, Eakin Publications published Jamail's autobiography Lawyer: My Trials and Jubilations. " - Evan Smith, Texas Monthly Talks, Broadcast 4.8.04
