Don Keenan
Painting a subject without their knowing it, a surprise portrait, is always fraught with danger… and in the case of Don Keenan, doubly so. A larger than life character, electrifying, the trial lawyer community with his “Reptile Theory” of practice, a TV personality, renowned children’s advocate, often to be found unshaved wearing shorts, T-shirt, and always those sunglasses. An ex-marine of Irish blood and creator of the Kids Foundation and Bono aficionado. All this and more went into this painting. It was with relief that I saw it was warmly and enthusiastically received at its unveiling in Houston. Kudos to the courage of the man brave enough to commission this painting!
Painting a subject without their knowing it, a surprise portrait, is always fraught with danger… and in the case of Don Keenan, doubly so. A larger than life character, electrifying, the trial lawyer community with his “Reptile Theory” of practice, a TV personality, renowned children’s advocate, often to be found unshaved wearing shorts, T-shirt, and always those sunglasses. An ex-marine of Irish blood and creator of the Kids Foundation and Bono aficionado. All this and more went into this painting. It was with relief that I saw it was warmly and enthusiastically received at its unveiling in Houston. Kudos to the courage of the man brave enough to commission this painting!
Don Keenan
Keenan, Don. 16" x 20". 2015. Collection of Keenan Law Firm. Atlanta, GA. Portrait on canvas. Commissioned by HMR Funding, Dean Chase.
Keenan, Don. 16" x 20". 2015. Collection of Keenan Law Firm. Atlanta, GA. Portrait on canvas. Commissioned by HMR Funding, Dean Chase.
The coal operators are fighting for slavery, we are fighting for freedom.
They are fighting for the rule of man over man, for despotism, for darkness, for the past. We are striving to build up man.
Thus spoke the most famous trial lawyer of his time, Clarence Darrow, in his representation of over 150,000 coal miners in the great anthracite coal strike of 1902.
The Great Anthracite Coal StrikeLackawanna
County Court House, 1902
1902 Scranton Coal Miners Strike. 36" x 57". 2009. Collection of Todd O'Malley. O’Malley & Langan PC. Scranton, PA.
In this fine Lakawanna county courthouse with its rich wood panelling, green marble columns and original Tiffany ceiling, history was made by an extraordinary cast of characters, united in their determination to better the lives of those who toiled in the anthracite coal mines of north eastern Pennsylvania.
With a harsh winter approaching and the miners already on strike for several months a new young president, Theodore Roosevelt knew it was imperative to resolve the conflict. he appointed a seven man commission, The Anthracite Strike Commission, the first ever non violent, impartial intervention by the US Federal Government in a labour dispute, and the first comprehensive inquiry to be made of the industry.
In the years leading up to the strike working conditions for anthracite coal miners had steadily deteriorated to the enormous profit of the owners. wages were a pittance and often paid in credit at the company store or against rent for substandard housing. There was no system of regulation in weighing the coal extracted and children as young as six worked twelve hour days in dangerous and grueling conditions in the towering breaker buildings.
John Mitchell, a charismatic, self taught coal miner who had risen through the ranks of the United Mine Workers of America impressed the president with his moderate but firm demands. Mitchell had even converted to Catholicism to better unite his disparate ethnic members and was the critical figure in maintaining a common front amongst strikers.
Clarence darrow seized the opportunity to parade before the international and domestic press over 500 witnesses, many testifying to the horrendous conditions of the workers and their fasmilies and exposing the cruel child labour practices of the time.
Before 1902 the federal Government had used brutal military intervention rather than peaceful arbitaration to settle labour disputes. Now a board of concilitation was formed and new precedents established. The commission's award laid the foundations for all future wage and working conditions negotiated across the country.
The coal miners had won a great victory, and despite the ongoing attempts of the owners to undermine these acheivements and their reluctance to abide by the spirit of cooperation, Mitchell, Darrow and Curran had prevailed.
The full moon that lights the night sky lights also the courtroom wall.
The figure of justice speaks.
Fiat Justicia Ruat Caelum......Though the heavens may fall, let justice be done.