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 Champions of Justice Collection
This collection features paintings of inductees to the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame located at Temple University's Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. An initiative of The Trial Lawyer magazine in 2009, the Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those who have dedicated a lifetime's commitment to serving the American public and the Constitution whilst tirelessly defending the right to trial by jury.
Click the names below to find out more
Melvin Belli (1907 - 1996)
The King Of Torts, he was a celebrated trial attorney who pioneered the use of demonstrative evidence and expert witnesses in civil cases.
Bobby Lee Cook
A fiery, folksy criminal defense attorney from Summerville, GA, he is reputed to have been the inspiration for the television series Matlock.
Philip Harnett Corboy (1924 - 2012)
He transformed the practice of personal injury law and acted as mentor to at least two generations of the leading trial lawyers in the country.
Clarence Darrow (1857 – 1938)
Probably the most famous and revered trial lawyer and civil libertarian in American history. A theologian, poet and great wit who passionately opposed capital punishment.
Percy Foreman (1902 - 1988)
Foreman was a legendary figure in the courtroom, with the characteristics of lawyers memorialized in 40s and 50s black and white movies.
Richard "Racehorse" Haynes (1927-)
A Flamboyant Texas criminal defense attorney who was decorated for heroism at Iwo Jima.
William Kunstler (1919 - 1995)
A self-proclaimed radical civil rights attorney dedicated to defending the socially marginalized and calling out the irony of a discriminatory legal system.
Fred Levin
A pioneering and often controversial lawyer waging a relentless fight for justice against big companies.
Belva Ann Lockwood (1830 – 1917)
An attorney, author, educator, politician, and forerunner of gender equality in jurisprudence, the legal system, and education.
Thurgood Marshall (1908 - 1993)
An extraordinary civil rights attorney, Solicitor General, and the first African American Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
James and Pauline Montgomery
A prominent Chicago trial lawyer, James Montgomery and his wife Pauline practice and manage their firm to represent clients in both criminal and civil-rights cases.
Ron Motley (1944 – 2013)
Bold in the face of mass social injustice, he was renowned for leading large-scale lawsuits on critical social and environment issues.
Perry Nichols (1915 - 1983)
Perry Nichols was a Miami trial lawyer who founded what is today the Florida Justice Association.
Earl Rogers (1869 – 1922)
California criminal defense lawyer extraordinaire and professor of medical jurisprudence, he inspired the titular character of the 1957 legal drama Perry Mason.
Christian D. Searcy
A powerful, compassionate, inspirational litigator of cases primarily involving catastrophic injury and death throughout Florida.
Edward B. Williams (1920 - 1988)
His courtroom tactics were legendary and lawyers, reporters and even other clients often sat in to watch Williams try a case.
Steve Yerrid
He has been repeatedly acknowledged as one of America’s top trial lawyers, demonstrating unwavering commitment to justice and the people it serves.