Joseph Dahr Jamail Jr. was an American attorney and billionaire. The wealthiest practicing attorney in America, he was frequently referred to as the "King of Torts". In 2011, his net worth was estimated by Forbes to be $1.5 billion, making him the 833rd richest person in the world. In 2014, the year before his death, Forbes estimated his net worth at $1.7 billion, making him the 373rd richest person in America. Jamail died on December 23, 2015 in Houston from complications related to pneumonia.
In 1985, Jamail represented Pennzoil, whose CEO Hugh Liedtke was Jamail's close friend, in a lawsuit against Texaco. Pennzoil won the case and his contingency fee was $335 million. Jamail was known for his passionate, aggressive, sometimes abrasive advocacy on behalf of his clients; a tendency that has been noted in the National Law Journal, by the Supreme Court of Delaware as well as other sources. On its own motion, having reviewed deposition transcripts in the Paramount case, the Delaware Supreme Court referred to Jamail's conduct as "rude, uncivil and vulgar", "abusing the privilege of representing a witness in a Delaware proceeding", 637 A.2d. 34, at 53, as displaying "an astonishing lack of professionalism and civility", and as "outrageous" and as "unacceptable", for statements to deposing counsel such as "you could gag a maggot off a meatwagon". 637 A2d. 34, at 54. The Court included its admonition of Jamail in an Addendum to its opinion "as a lesson for the future—a lesson of conduct not to be tolerated or repeated." 637 A2d. 34, at 52. In April 2006, a particularly sharp exchange, titled "Joe Jamail takes a deposition defended by Edward Carstarphen. Hilarity ensues" or "Texas-Style Deposition", appeared on various blogs and internet sites. Following a reprimand by the Delaware Supreme Court, Jamail stated in the press "I'd rather have a nose on my ass than go to Delaware for any reason".
Charity
Jamail made large donations to Rice University and the University of Texas at Austin. The football field at Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium was named Joe Jamail Field in his honor. However, on July 13, 2020, it was announced that the field would be renamed to the Earl Campbell-Ricky Williams Field. The Joseph D. Jamail Jr. Pavilion at the University of TexasSchool of Law is named after him. Also located on the University of Texas campus is the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, named for him and his wife. The University has erected two statues on campus in his honor. On May 14, 2008, The University of Texas at Austin announced a $15 million gift from Joe Jamail to support the Law School, Nursing School, and the College of Undergraduate Studies. In response to the gift, the university renamed a large meeting room in the tower building to the Lee Hage Jamail Academic Room. In 2008, the Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark opened near downtown Houston. It was a $2.7 million project. The park is public. On April 27, 2011, the San Marcos Baptist Academy announced a $1 million gift from Joe Jamail to help establish a fund to build a special event center on the Academy campus in memory of Jamail’s wife, Lee, who graduated from San Marcos Academy in 1944.
