James W. Parkman, III[1] (born 1950[2]) is an American criminal defense lawyer in Birmingham, Alabama. He has been practicing law for over 40 years, and has represented several high-profile clients, most notably former HealthSouth CEO Richard M. Scrushy, Swedish criminal Bo Stefan Eriksson, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and Alabama State Senator Harri Anne Smith.

Career

Parkman was born in Mobile, Alabama, raised in Dothan, Alabama,[2] and graduated from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1979.[3] He rose to national prominence when he was retained as lead counsel in the defense of HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy, who faced a high-profile prosecution on over 30 counts of accounting fraud.[4] The long trial concluded with a colorful and folksy closing argument from Parkman,[5] and Scrushy was ultimately acquitted on every count.[6]

After the Scrushy trial, Parkman represented Bo Stefan Eriksson in California on auto theft charges involving exotic foreign automobiles, including an Enzo Ferrari which Eriksson crashed in Malibu, California. The trial ended with a deadlocked jury.[7] Parkman also represented former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in his infamous federal corruption prosecution.[8]

In the summer of 2011, Parkman represented Alabama State Senator Harri Anne Smith, who was charged along with eight others under federal bribery, mail and wire fraud statutes.[9] After an initial mistrial, a second prosecution, and an expectedly colorful closing argument,[10] Parkman was able to secure acquittals on all counts for his client.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "James W. Parkman, III Profile | Birmingham, AL Lawyer | Martindale.com".
  2. 1 2 "Jim Parkman: In His Own Words". wsfa.com/. WSFA. 9 July 2006. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "James W. Parkman, III".
  4. ↑ Reed Abelson (January 26, 2005). "In Birmingham, Richard Scrushy Is a Local Story". New York Times.
  5. ↑ Reed Abelson (May 19, 2005). "Closing Arguments Wind Up at Scrushy Trial". New York Times.
  6. ↑ Jennifer Bayot; Maria Newman (June 29, 2005). "Jury clears Scrushy of all charges". New York Times.
  7. ↑ Jill Leovy; Richard Winton (Nov 4, 2006). "Jury deadlocks on theft charges in Ferrari case; Driver who crashed rare auto in Malibu was accused of stealing expensive cars". L.A. Times. p. B.4. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  8. ↑ Susan Saulny (August 9, 2008). "Detroit Mayor Charged With Assaulting Officer". New York Times.
  9. 1 2 Kim Chandler (March 7, 2012). "UPDATED Milton McGregor after bingo verdicts: "This is truly a day to celebrate"". AL.com.
  10. ↑ Kim Chandler (February 28, 2012). "Updated: Lawyer shouts that Sen. Harri Anne Smith is not guilty in bingo trial". AL.com.
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