Voting Station

Marvin Mitchelson

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Attorney

The Resume

    (May 7, 1928-September 18, 2004)
    Born in Detroit, Michigan
    Middle name was Morris
    Nickname was Father of Palimony
    Nickname was a portmanteau of the words 'pal' and 'alimony' which he coined during his Marvin vs. Marvin trial, representing Michelle Triola Marvin in her lawsuit against live-in boyfriend Lee Marvin
    Divorce lawyer for celebrities including Bianca Jagger, Joan Collins, Mel Torme, Carl Sagan and the ex's of several Hollywood stars
    Wrote the books 'Made in Heaven, Settled in Court (1976)' and 'Living Together: A Practical Guide (1980)'
    Accused of overcharging clients and income tax evasion
    Convicted of evading the paying of about $2 million in income taxes and sent to Lompoc Federal Prison for two years (1996-98)
    Disbarred from practicing law by the California Bar Association upon entering prison (reinstated after completion of sentence)
    Died of cancer in Beverly Hills at age 76

Why he might be annoying:

    He had many mistresses (his wife tried to run one of them over) but stayed married because he claims he was afraid to serve his wife the divorce papers.
    Marvin took on 'Marvin vs. Marvin' hoping for a big payday (calling it a marriage with no rings attached), but it didn't come to fruition.
    Michelle was awarded $104,000 (of Lee's $3.6 million fortune) in 1978 and the verdict was overturned in 1981, meaning she and Mitchelson got nothing.
    Representing the wife of Marlon Brando, he delivered legal notice via helicopter to Brando as a publicity stunt.
    His ego was so huge when someone asked him for an autograph he gave the person two.
    He wore a belt buckle in the shape of Botticelli's 'Venus' to match his illuminated ceiling of the artwork in his office.
    His tax shenanigans cost him his fleet of Rolls Royces, a stuffed chair once owned by Rudolph Valentino and his Beverly Hills mansion (bought by Johnny Depp).

Why he might not be annoying:

    In 1963 he won a landmark case, Douglas vs. California, arguing that indigent people had the right to free legal counsel.
    His coined word 'palimony' has become a recognized legal term.
    He was able to get a large settlement for his client Marc Christian, Rock Hudson's lover who was being rebuffed by Hudson's estate.
    In 1991 he made a comedic appearance as himself on the TV series Golden Girls.
    Once imprisoned, he helped other prisoners with their appeals, ran the prison library and started an opera appreciation club.
    He was still working on cases in a hospital bed and agreed to represent Phil Spector when he died.
    Being honest about his chosen profession he stated, 'A divorce lawyer is a chameleon with a law book.'

Credit: Scar Tactics


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 22 Votes: 13.64% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 14 Votes: 64.29% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 26 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 18 Votes: 61.11% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 12 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 57 Votes: 68.42% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 29 Votes: 68.97% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 171 Votes: 74.27% Annoying