Jackie Apostel

Jackie Apostel, the Unlikely Hero of the 10th Circuit

The Little Lawyer Who Took on Big Tobacco and Won

A Profile of a Trailblazing Plaintiff's Attorney

Jackie Apostel is not your average lawyer. She's a self-described "small-town girl" from Oklahoma who has made a name for herself as one of the nation's leading plaintiff's attorneys. Apostel has won billions of dollars for her clients, including a landmark $246 billion verdict against Big Tobacco in 2000.

Apostel's success is even more remarkable considering her humble beginnings. She was born in a small town in Oklahoma and raised by a single mother. After graduating from law school, she moved to Tulsa and started her own practice. She quickly gained a reputation for being a tough negotiator and a compassionate advocate for her clients.

In 1994, Apostel filed a class action lawsuit against the tobacco industry on behalf of the state of Oklahoma. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the state in 2000. The verdict was a major victory for Apostel and her clients, and it helped to pave the way for other lawsuits against the tobacco industry.

Apostel's work has not been without controversy. She has been accused of being too aggressive and of putting her own financial interests ahead of her clients'. However, her supporters argue that she is a fierce advocate for her clients and that she has helped to hold powerful corporations accountable.

Apostel is a complex and fascinating figure. She is a brilliant lawyer who has achieved great success, but she is also a controversial figure. Her story is a reminder that even the most unlikely of heroes can make a difference in the world.