Based upon more than 30 years of practicing law, Mr. Estabrook offers his analysis and commentary on current high-profile cases and developments in the law that have caught the public?s attention.
That analysis and comment, while rooted in traditional American legal principles and values, often places him in lively conflict with current conservative attitudes and opinions which, while threatening to undermine those very core values, often go unnoticed and unchallenged, not just by the media but, by today?s judges, lawyers and politicians.
As Mr. Estabrook notes, "We seem to be living in an era where ignorance is bliss and lack of historical perspective a virtue. Ironically, while American Justice remains the ideal, and its traditional principles set the standard for which the much of the rest of the world yearns, many Americans increasingly find themselves unable to relate those fundamental values to their own experience and to be willing, even impatient, to discard them or, at least, overlook them."
Mr. Estabrook is qualified to bring a fresh, and unique, perspective to today?s front page cases, and to place them within an easily understandable context, not just as a result of his 30-plus years of practicing criminal and personal injury law but, by virtue of his having been a broadcaster, a graduate student in clinical psychology and an investigator along the way.
Whether it is explaining criminal or civil procedure in simple down to earth language, putting a supreme court case in historical perspective, or providing insightful comment on the latest "hot button" case, his easy, egoless, approachable style sets him apart from the usual arrogant, self-serving, combative commentator so common today.
As he has often noted, "There is a difference between advocacy, arrogance and obstinacy that seems have been lost on a whole generation of lawyers in this country."
Following his graduation from the University of Houston (B.A. 1956), where he majored in Radio-Tv Announcing, and South Texas College of Law (J.D. 1969), he was admitted to practice in both Texas (1969) and California (1972), the U.S. Supreme Court (1973) and a variety of Federal Courts throughout California.
He taught Legal Research & Writing briefly at Empire College of Law in the mid-70s and honed his advocacy skills graduating from both Hastings College Civil Trial Advocacy in San Francisco and with Honors from the National College of Public Defenders & Criminal Defense Lawyers at the University of Houston where he studied under both Gerry Spence and Albert Krieger. The greatest lessons learned from them: "Be yourself and always tell the truth."
Despite his often self-effacing humor, he pulls no punches in critiquing judges and trial counsel, or in revealing their strategies and often-hidden agendas. There is no hesitancy to point out the Emperor?s nakedness.
The following commentary is currently available and my be accessed by clicking on the appropriate title:
Mr. Estabrook is available for free media consultation and commentary regarding high profile cases and legal developments of general interest to the public.