New Delhi, Aug. 15 -- Gerry Spence, the fringe jacket-wearing trial lawyer from Wyoming known for a string of major court wins starting with a multimillion-dollar judgment against a plutonium processor in the landmark Karen Silkwood case, has died.

Spence, 96, died late Wednesday surrounded by family at his home in Montecito, California, according to a family statement.

"We are proud of his legacy and his contributions to the world, but most importantly, we are proud to be part of the family he built with love. We feel this loss deeply and we will carry him with us always," read the statement from granddaughter Tara Spence McClatchey.

Spence dedicated his life to fighting for the rights and freedom of ordinary people, colleague Joseph ...