Joe H. Tonahill Explained

Joe H. Tonahill
Birth Name:	Joe Halbert Tonahill Sr.
Birth Date:	1914
Birth Place:	Hughes Springs, Texas
Death Date:	2001
Death Place:	Houston, Texas
Occupation:	Lawyer
Alma Mater:	University of Texas George Washington University

Joe H. Tonahill (1914–2001) was an American lawyer.^{[1] [2]}

Biography

Tonahill was born in Hughes Springs, Texas. He was a graduate of the University of Texas and George Washington University.^[3] He married Violett Smith, daughter of Howard W. Smith in 1941.^[3] Howard W. Smith, a congressman, was his father-in-law.^[4]

During his career, he worked on Jack Ruby and Melvin Belli's cases.^{[5] [6]} He was the co-founder of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.^[3] He was also a wrestler.^[4]

Posthumously, he was inducted to the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2018.^[5] Joe Tonahill Award is named after him.^[7]

Further reading

• Temple-Raston, Dina (2003). A Death in Texas: A Story of Race, Murder and a Small Town's Struggle for Redemption

Notes and References

1. Web site: J. Tonahill, 88; Lawyer Helped Represent Jack Ruby. L. A. Times. Archives. November 9, 2001. Los Angeles Times.
2. News: obituaries . en-US . Washington Post . 2023-04-27 . 0190-8286.
3. Web site: Deaths: Tonahill, 'gifted' East Texas lawyer. RICHARD. STEWART. November 7, 2001. Chron.
4. Web site: Joe H. Tonahill. Spartacus Educational.
5. Web site: Joe Tonahill | Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame.
6. Web site: RUBY DISCLAIMS KNOWING OSWALD; Tells of Trip to Cuba—Drops Request for Bond. January 22, 1964. NYTimes.com.
7. https://www.justice.org/membership/awards