Broadus Autry Spivey

Broadus Autry Spivey died at home Saturday, May 8, 2021, in the early morning (his favorite time of day)—his beloved Texas Hill Country in view. He is survived by his wife & sweetheart of 64 years, Ruth Ann (King) Spivey; son Danny Spivey & wife Tonya; daughter Marci Spivey; and #1 grandson John Aden Higgs & gal Alma Raymer—all of Austin.
He is also survived by brother David Spivey & wife Della, of Duncanville, Texas; sister Becky Lane & husband Gerald, of Clarendon, Texas; brother Johnny Spivey, of Ralls, Texas; sister-in-law Rebecca (King) Chudacoff, of Oberlin, Ohio; and many beloved aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Broadus was born near Lakeview, in the Texas panhandle, to Eadith and Claude Spivey on October 7, 1936. He worked on his family's farm as a boy & through high school, picking cotton & tending animals. He attended Goodnight Public School, Clarendon High School, and graduated from Clarendon Jr. College. Broadus married Ruth Ann on August 1, 1956; they moved to Austin where he attended the University of Texas. Broadus graduated with a B.A. in Government in 1960, then a J.D. from the U.T. School of Law in 1962. He'd begun law school hoping to become an FBI investigator, yet was strongly influenced by his father-in-law, Rufus Young King, who served as Donley County Attorney—and later, as county judge. The law school dean, Page Keeton, also helped Broadus see the value in working to right the wrongs done to individuals instead of the country as a whole, and his new goal was to become a trial lawyer.
His first job was assistant county attorney, in Lubbock, Texas, where he spent two years prosecuting, proud to earn the $475 monthly salary. Next, he practiced general civil trial law with Fred West & Quinn Brackett, then took the job that changed his life—as a "pup" with Huff & Bowers, the premier plaintiff's trial firm in the Texas Panhandle. Broadus considered Forrest Bowers to be one of the best trial lawyers he ever knew & was grateful for his early mentorship & their lifelong friendship. He set up his own practice five years later—his first client was the husband of a juror who'd decided against him, but admired the way he'd tried his client's case.
In 1971, the Spivey family moved back to Austin, and Broadus established a law firm with a fellow Texas Panhandle great, Bob Gibbins, down the street from the Travis County courthouse, at 11th & Nueces. Over the years, he partnered with J. Patrick Hazel, Terry Scarborough, Dicky Grigg, Pat Kelly, Paul Knisely, and Price Ainsworth. Broadus & Dicky eventually set up law offices together & worked alongside one another for the remainder of Broadus's career, until his retirement in October 2019.
His professional accomplishments & accolades are many—here are some: Board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law (State Bar of Texas) & in Civil Trial Advocacy (by the Nat'l Bd. of Trial Advocacy). State Bar of Texas President, 2001-2002—and member of its Foundation since 1983 (Life Fellow), Board of Directors, 1983-1986, Texas Supreme Court Advisory Cmte., 1984-1991, and State Bar College, 1991. Texas Trial Lawyers Ass'n President, 1981-1982—and lifelong member. Capital Area Trial Lawyers Ass'n President, 1977-1979. International Academy of Trial Lawyers President, 2002-2003—Fellow since 1982 and Board of Directors member since 1993. Ass'n of Trial Lawyers of America, Board of Governors, 1982-1985. Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Director (1982-1983) and Treasurer (1989-1990). He was an Advocate on the American Board of Trial Advocates since 1979, a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers since 1986, named in Best Lawyers in America since 1983, and a member of The Tonahill Society since 1998. He was a member of the Austin Bar Ass'n, the Philosophical Society of Texas, American Bar Ass'n, Federal Bar Ass'n, Lawyer-Pilots Bar Ass'n, and Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity (including state & national recognition).
He authored & delivered more than 300 speeches, and he was honored by many community organizations & professional institutions—here are some of these awards: Texas Legal Legend, State Bar of Texas (2014); West Texas Legal Legend, Texas Tech School of Law (2014); War Horse Award, Southern Trial Lawyers Ass'n (2010); Lifetime Achievement Award, Texas Trial Lawyers Ass'n (2005); Champion of Justice, Texas Watch Foundation (2005); Distinguished Lawyer Award, Travis County Bar Ass'n (2003); Texas Trial Lawyer of the Year, American Board of Trial Advocates (2003); Pursuit of Justice Award, American Bar Ass'n (2003); President's Award, State Bar of Texas (1999); and many others.
Broadus never had career ambitions & never rode for glory; he did what he always wanted to do—work as a trial lawyer, representing clients in courts all over Texas and across the nation. He tried all kinds of cases, including wrongful death & serious personal injury, legal malpractice, contract disputes, business litigation, aviation, products liability, civil rights, and real estate disputes. In his law practice, he always put his clients first and his law clerks second—though his legal assistants, to him, were beyond any ranking.
During his 57 years of practice he tried more than 500 cases to a jury and 146 appellate cases. He mentored more law clerks than seems possible—around 200!—instructing each one, on their first day of work, that he had only two absolute rules: attend class; and make at least one mistake each day. Broadus knew that experience is a great teacher, and he let his law clerks get hands-on with case investigation, briefing, preparing evidence for trial, and working with clients. He also taught them, as he modeled, to respect opposing attorneys (especially in front of a jury!). Unsurprisingly, Broadus is loved, admired, and respected by many people, among all walks of life & across the world.
He never counted his wins, but the number of clients who were heard. He believed in—and counseled law clerks & students to adopt—four principles: honesty, humility, humor, and humanity.
Broadus Spivey was a firm believer in the 6th & 7th Amendments, enshrining people's access to our criminal and civil courts & right to trial by jury. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to worthy organizations that advocate for justice: Texas Access to Justice Foundation (https://www.teajf.org) or Texas Civil Rights Project (https://txcivilrights.org); and next time you are summoned to jury duty, know that Broadus will be delighted if you answer the call.
His family supported him & were nurtured by him. He relied on his wife, Ruth Ann, in many ways—especially for her people skills & perceptiveness in the voir dire process. (She also made sure his articles & speeches were gender-inclusive!)
The Spivey family is planning a celebration of his life on Friday, May 21, 2021 at Pecan Springs Ranch, 10601 B Derecho, Austin, Texas 78737 at 11:00am—outdoors, weather permitting, followed by a reception indoors. We will observe masking and social distancing precautions, even if fully vaccinated. (Masks will be available if you arrive without one.) For those unable to attend, we plan to livestream the event at https://www.zodiacstudios.net/live-broadcast-2/.
Broadus was not a big churchgoer but knew he was not the Highest Power in anyone's life, including his own. In 2007, U.T. Law School Prof. Tracy Walters McCormack interviewed Broadus for their Advocacy Program's Atticus Profile series: She asked him, "If a superior being exists, what would you like to hear Her say to you when you arrive at the pearly gates?" Broadus grinned & said, "Come in!" We imagine he did.