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. He does so in a way that entertains, informs, and inspires.
- Letter from the President-Elect of the State Bar of Texas
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Faith
- Freedom
- Equality
- Courage
- Perseverance
- Facts Every Trial Lawyer Should Know
- Inspiring with Your Trial Story
- Notes
- Selected Bibliography
- Index
What Legal Leaders Are Saying
— Barbara Radnofsky, Vinson and Elkins, HoustonThe stories in I Remember Atticus remind that our founding fathers, intent on preserving freedoms, cherished and protected the citizen’s right to submit his cause to an independent jury. One need not agree with all of Perdue’s propositions to be inspired in these challenging times by stories of courage, sacrifice, and perseverance.
— Ronald Krist, Krist Law Firm, Houston, TexasI Remember Atticus masterfully demonstrates how the use of parables, analogies and stories based upon basic American values forms a solid basis for effective advocacy. Every trial lawyer should have and use a copy of this book.
— Don Keenan, past president of the Inner Circle of AdvocatesPerdue is correct in saying ‘being a trial lawyer is hard cheese.’ Jim has a long-standing national reputation for mastery in the art of verbal storytelling. With this book he proves the gift of written storytelling is his as well, a rare combination.
— David Marion Wilkinson, award-winning author of One Ranger, Oblivion’s Altar, and Not Between BrothersWhen my journey as a storyteller required that I understand the heart and soul of a gifted Texas trial lawyer, the search ended with the early writings of Jim Perdue. I Remember Atticus reminds us in this cynical age that the law was once, and must be again, a noble profession undertaken without apology by our best and brightest. While this inspirational book should be the touchstone of any attorney called to the plaintiff bar, it deserves a far wider read.
— Paula Sweeney, Howie and Sweeney, Dallas, TexasThis book tells the vital story of our courts, the people who fought and died to create and preserve them, and the corporate interests committed to closing courthouse doors to all but the wealthy and powerful. Every American should read this book.
— George W. Shadoan, Shadoan and Michael, Rockville, MarylandWhat a pleasure it was to read Jim Perdue’s I Remember Atticus. Remembering these stories is important. For me the most inspiring part of the book is not found in these wonderful stories but in Jim Perdue’s words at the beginning of the book. Any lawyer worth his or her salt will feel a tingle when reading them, and not a few will finish with moist eyes.
— Robert M. Montgomery, Jr., Montgomery and Larson, West Palm Beach, FloridaJim Perdue has put together a beautiful road map for the trial lawyer. I intend to plagiarize (steal, if you must) many aspects of his observations and will probably quote him, adopting his most eloquent statements as my own.
— Eric Oliver, MetaSystems, Inc.Jim Perdue knows that jurors don’t decide cases—they decide case stories. He presents these seminal stories as what they are: the foundation of our sense of all that’s right and good about citizen jurors hearing and deciding the stories before them.
— William R. Edwards, Edwards Law Firm, Corpus Christi, TexasNo lawyer should fail to reabsorb all of these tales, which most of us knew and many have forgotten. The uplifting of spirit provided by this book is unbeatable!