Ed Genson

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Ed Genson
Born
Edward Marvin Genson

(1941-06-30)June 30, 1941
DiedApril 14, 2020(2020-04-14) (aged 78)
Alma materNorthwestern University (BA, JD)

Edward Marvin Genson (June 30, 1941 – April 14, 2020) was an American attorney who represented high-profile defendants such as former Republic Windows CEO Richard Gillman, musician R. Kelly, newspaper owner Conrad Black, and Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.[1]

Early life[edit]

Genson was born June 30, 1941.[2] He was raised on the West Side of Chicago along with his younger sister, Myrna. He received a B.A. degree from Northwestern University in 1962 in political science, and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1965.[1]

Career[edit]

Blagojevich Case[edit]

Genson was hired by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich after the Governor's arrest on corruption charges on December 9, 2008[3] and represented him at the impeachment hearings in the Illinois House of Representatives.

On January 23, 2009, after only a month on the case, Genson announced that he would step down as Blagojevich's lead defense attorney, stating that "I never require a client to do what I say but I do require them to at least listen to what I say."[4]

Republic Windows & Doors[edit]

Genson was hired by former Republic Windows CEO Richard Gillman to represent him against the charges brought against him. In a surprise move, the judge set Gillman's bail at $10 million; a significantly higher amount than the Prosecution requested.[5]

On Saturday September 25, Genson was able to get Gillman's bail cut in half and he was able to post bail.[6]

Personal life[edit]

Genson and his wife, Susan, had three children. Genson died April 15, 2020, at 78 from bile duct cancer.[7]

Genson was affected by dystonia, a neuromuscular disorder that makes muscles contract involuntarily.[7]

Bibliography[edit]

  • "Prosecutorial Courtroom Misconduct in Illinois", Loyola University of Chicago Law Journal, Fall 1987
  • "A Guide to Handling Federal Narcotics Forfeiture Cases", Illinois Bar Journal, April 1991
  • "Taped Evidence in Criminal Cases: Confronting the Tape Recorder", Litigation Magazine (American Bar Association), Winter 1994

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Edward M. Genson". Leading Lawyers Network. Archived from the original on January 16, 2009. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  2. ^ "The Players". Toronto Star. March 10, 2007. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved December 30, 2008.
  3. ^ Keen, Judy (December 15, 2008). "Illinois House forms impeachment panel". USA Today. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
  4. ^ "Blagojevich's Lead Defense Lawyer to Resign". CNN. January 26, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  5. ^ "Republic Window CEO released on bond". Chicago Tribune. September 25, 2009. Archived from the original on September 29, 2009.
  6. ^ Lutz, BJ (September 26, 2009). "Republic's Former CEO Bonds Out of Jail". NBC Chicago. Archived from the original on September 29, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Steinberg, Neil (April 15, 2020). "Legendary criminal defense attorney Ed Genson, who represented the famous and the infamous, has died". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 16, 2020.