Endorsements

“When Don Clark was a young lawyer, he and two colleagues mounted a long-shot effort to get the Alabama courts to overturn the conviction and death penalty of Tommy Hamilton, who had killed Lehman Wood during the commission of a robbery. The effort was ultimately successful. Clark’s book, Summary Judgment, tells the story of the crime, the proceedings, and Clark’s own professional growth as a courtroom attorney.

The book is not the usual tale of a wrongly convicted man redeemed by newly discovered evidence of his innocence. Tommy Hamilton did murder Lehman Wood. But his trial was tainted by perjury and incompetence. Clark accomplishes something very difficult: helping us see the importance of making sure that justice is done even for the guilty. Along the way, he tells a gripping and fascinating story. He manages to delve into the minute and sometimes technical details of the case without ever losing the reader’s interest. And he elicits our sympathies without trying to artificially tug at our heartstrings.

Clark’s decency, competence, and sense of conviction shine through clearly in Summary Judgment. He has obviously been pondering his role in Tommy Hamilton’s case for decades. We should be grateful to him for finally putting the story in writing.”

Perry Dane, Professor, Rutgers University Law School and Former Law Clerk to Hon. William J. Brennan Jr., Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court (1982–83)

“Summary Judgment is a compelling true story that exposes how conviction of innocents is not the only flaw to be guarded against in our criminal justice system—particularly in cases seeking to impose the death penalty. The book tackles the murky waters of justice for the guilty and will be of great interest to anyone who wants to know more about the legal and moral intricacies of defending a person facing a death sentence. With great honesty, Donald Cameron Clark, Jr., Esq. offers an insider perspective and captures the complexities of a fascinating life-and-death case.”

Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., death penalty abolitionist and author of Dead Man Walking (1994), The Death of Innocents (2006), and River of Fire (2020)

“Loved the book! Summary Judgment is an extraordinary behind-the-scenes account of a dedicated legal team volunteering in post–death penalty litigation, including the lawyering that is involved. I recommend it for lawyers and non-lawyers alike as a tremendous example of lawyers upholding their oaths to ensure that justice, rather than retribution, is served.”

H. Thomas Wells, Jr., President, American Bar Association (2008-2009).

“A meticulously detailed and often stirring account of one lawyer’s dedication.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Summary Judgment is more than just a memoir—it is a primer on post-conviction practice in criminal cases, a ‘call to action’ to all legal professionals to perform pro bono work, and a reassurance to those in the struggle to see a real-life example demonstrating that justice can prevail. It should also help the public understand that not everyone serving on death row is guilty or deserves to be there. Don Clark should not only be commended for this important work, but also for his unwavering pursuit of justice.”

Sue Bell Cobb, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice (Ret.).

“Donald C. Clark, Jr. has produced a fascinating account of exemplary lawyering which prevented the execution of a severely psychologically-damaged Alabama ‘man’. In a narrative accessible to non-lawyers, Clark takes the reader inside the system’s difficult tactical, procedural, and doctrinal challenges which are designed to favor finality over justice. Most importantly, this book dramatically raises and explores the ethical and jurisprudential questions our country faces regarding the justifications for incarceration and execution.”

Rayman Solomon, Professor and Dean Emeritus, Rutgers University Law School

“Summary Judgment is fantastic. If you want to know what it’s like to be a good lawyer, one who thinks client first / winning second, then this is the book for you. Donald Clark’s point of view of a lawyer defending a client facing the death penalty, hasn’t been created through the research most writers would need to do. Donald Clark actually lived this. A fantastic story, swift page turner, and a smart, fun read. I love this book!”

Timothy Busfield, Actor, Director, Producer

“Summary Judgment offers an intimate, first-hand account of the professional life of a prominent Chicago corporate attorney who represented an Alabama man convicted of capital murder. Known for craving the challenge of an “unwinnable” case, Donald Clark uses his wit, intellect, and creative mind to strategize an outcome for an unsympathetic client whose life literally hangs in the balance, but who still deserves a fair shake at justice.”

Reid Weisbord, Professor, Rutgers University Law School