Wikipedia

Draft:Joseph H. Low IV

  • Comment: Many sources mention Mr. Low in passing, but none dedicate significant coverage. Ca talk to me! 06:59, 7 January 2026 (UTC)
Joseph H. Low IV
Born
Joseph Hawkins Low IV
CitizenshipAmerican
EducationJuris Doctor
Alma materMcGeorge School of Law
OccupationsTrial attorney, speaker, U.S. marine
Notable workUnited States v. Gonzalez-Lopez
Websiteattorney4people.com

Joseph H. Low IV (born Joseph Hawkins Low IV) is an American trial attorney, keynote speaker and former U.S. Marine.[1][2] He is known for his work in criminal defense and civil litigation, including representing Dr. Conrad Murray in the Michael Jackson manslaughter case and arguing the landmark Supreme Court case United States v. Gonzalez-Lopez.[3][4][5]

Early life and education

edit

Low served eight years in the United States Marine Corps before pursuing higher education.[3] He received both his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Master of Science in Biophysical Chemistry from the University of California. He later earned his Juris Doctor from McGeorge School of Law.[citation needed]

Career

edit

Joseph H. Low IV is an American trial attorney based in Long Beach, California, known for his work in criminal defense and civil litigation, and for representing high-profile clients including Dr. Conrad Murray in the Michael Jackson manslaughter case.[6][7]

Between 1992 and 1994, he worked as a chemistry instructor at the University of California. Low teaches at the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, where he previously trained under Gerry Spence.[8] He also serves as the college’s vice president and chief instructor.[9][10][11][12]

Notable cases

edit

United States v. Gonzalez-Lopez

edit

In the landmark case United States v. Gonzalez-Lopez, 548 U.S. 140 (2006), Low served as the chosen attorney for Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez-Lopez, who was charged with drug conspiracy. When the district court improperly denied Low's admission pro hac vice, the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote the 5-4 majority opinion establishing that a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to counsel of choice requires automatic reversal if violated, without need to prove prejudice.[7]

Military law

edit

Low has represented numerous military service members in courts-martial, including cases arising from the Iraq War. In the Hamdania case involving U.S. Marines accused in an Iraqi civilian killing, Low represented one of the defendants.[3] He has also been involved in cases involving military personnel charged in connection with incidents in Iraq, advocating for service members facing serious charges.[4]

Bakersfield truck crash

edit

In Cuevas et al v. Rai Transport, Inc. (Bakersfield, California), a jury awarded $70.5 million to a mother and her two children injured when a Rai Transport semi-truck ran a red light and struck their SUV.[13][14] Representing the family, Joseph H. Low IV secured the verdict, which compensated for severe physical and psychological injuries sustained in the crash.[15]

Kern School Settlement

edit

In Mitchell Carter v. Kern County School District, Joseph H. Low IV represented a high school student who sustained a traumatic brain injury during a school rally. The case alleged that inadequate supervision and safety measures by the district led to the incident. During trial, the school district agreed to a $10.5 million settlement after the jury found it fully liable for the student’s injuries.[16]

Conrad Murray trial

edit

Low was part of the defence legal team in the high-profile criminal case of Dr Conrad Murray, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.[17] During the preliminary hearing, Low argued for dismissal of the case on grounds of causation and Jackson’s health.[6][18][19]

References

edit
  1. ↑ Greenhouse, Linda (2006-04-19). "Justices Hear Case on Right to Choose Defense Counsel". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
  2. ↑ Slisco, Aila (2022-10-12). "Alex Jones Has Limited Options to Get Out of Paying $1B Settlement". Newsweek. Retrieved 2026-04-14.
  3. 1 2 3 Perry, Tony (2008-05-23). "IRAQ: Marine refuses to testify against 'brother'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  4. 1 2 Helms, Nathaniel R.; Faraj, Haytham (2016-09-06). No Time for the Truth: The Haditha Incident and the Search for Justice. Skyhorse. ISBN 978-1-62872-686-2.
  5. ↑ Hutchinson, Bill (2020-10-09). "Breonna Taylor case sparks renewed scrutiny of grand juries in police misconduct cases". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  6. 1 2 Siddique, Haroon (2011-01-12). "Michael Jackson's doctor ordered to stand trial". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  7. 1 2 Greenhouse, Linda (2006-03-19). "High court considers right to counsel". The Bulletin. p. 4. Retrieved 2025-10-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Protégé Joseph Low carries forward Gerry Spence's trial legacy". Daily Journal. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  9. ↑ Gruver, Mead. "Gerry Spence, legendary trial lawyer who fought to 'free the people of this country from the slavery of its new corporate masters,' dies at 96". Fortune. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  10. ↑ Gruver, Mead (2025-08-14). "Fringe-wearing Wyoming trial lawyer Gerry Spence dies at 96". The Independent. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  11. ↑ Gruver, Mead. "Fringe-wearing Wyoming trial lawyer Gerry Spence dies at 96". MSN. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  12. ↑ Stolley Persky, Anna (2025-08-15). "Gerry Spence, Wyoming lawyer known for his trial work and western wear, dies at 96". ABA Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  13. ↑ Hawes, Clarissa (2019-12-20). "Jury smacks California trucking company with $70.5 million 'nuclear verdict'". FreightWaves. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  14. ↑ "Joseph H. Low IV". Daily Journal. 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  15. ↑ Kreisman, Robert (2020-08-13). "$70.5 Million Jury Verdict in Semi-Tractor-Trailer Crash with Passenger SUV". Chicago Injury Lawyer. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  16. ↑ Siegel, David (2016-07-18). "School District Responsible For Student's Brain Injury at Rowdy Football Rally, Jury Told". Courtroom View Network. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  17. ↑ "Medic: Doc grabbed pills in Jackson's bedroom". khou.com. 2011-01-06. Retrieved 2026-02-16.
  18. ↑ Kim, Victoria (2011-09-27). "Jackson doctor's attorneys set to blame the pop star himself". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  19. ↑ "Judge Orders Jackson Doctor to Stand Trial". CBS News. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:Joseph_H._Low_IV&oldid=1349082815"