Law: The Case of the Little Big Man

An octogenarian lawyer mixes courtroom and show-biz talents

Three years ago, Barbara Chernow's husband was struck and killed by a New York City police car driven by a drunken officer. Chernow sued the city for $29 million, partly for the loss of her husband's future income. Because her husband was 71 at his death, the jury might have concluded that his income- producing years were mostly behind him. No problem. Her attorney was 86. Who better to demonstrate, after all, that a man still has earning power after his hair turns gray? "Chernow was in excellent health," argued the spry attorney. "He could have well outlived me."

Despite his...

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