Finding Aid to the Melvin M. Belli papers, 1939-1989 (bulk 1955-1980)
Bancroft Library staff
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2013
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Finding Aid to the Melvin M. Belli papers, 1939-1989 (bulk 1955-1980)
Collection number: BANC MSS 2012/185
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
- Finding Aid Author(s):
- Bancroft Library staff
- Date Completed:
-
September 2013
- Finding Aid Encoded By:
- GenX
© 2013 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Melvin M. Belli papers
Date (inclusive): 1939-1989
Date (bulk): 1955-1980
Collection Number: BANC MSS 2012/185
Creator:
Belli, Melvin M.
Extent:
12 cartons, 2 boxes, 1 oversize folder
16 linear feet
Repository: The Bancroft Library.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract: The Belli papers include the correspondence, working papers and personal papers of Melvin M. Belli. The materials have generally
been kept in the order in which they were received and have been broken down into nine series following that arrangement:
Correspondence; Case Files; Professional Files; Writings; Speaking Engagements; Television/Radio/Film; Press; Subject Files;
and Personal.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Information for Researchers
Access Information
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Melvin M. Belli Papers, BANC MSS 2012/185, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog
Belli, Melvin M., 1907-1996--Archives
Lawyers -- California -- San Francisco.
Lawyers -- United States.
Trial practice--United States.
Administrative Information
The Melvin M. Belli Papers were given to The Bancroft Library by Robert L. Lieff in 2012.
No additions are expected.
Processing Information
Processed by Bancroft Library staff in 2013.
Biography/Organization History
Melvin Mouron Belli was born in Sonora, California in 1907. he was raised in Sonora and Stockton, graduating from Stockton
High School in 1925. He went on to graduate from the University of California Berkeley and Boalt Law School, from which he
graduated in 1933.
Belli quickly gained noteriety in the field of personal injury law due in part to his dramatic courtroom style. Christened
the "King of Torts" by Life Magazine in 1954, Belli was known for securing large monetary awards for his personal injury clients.
Belli rose to national prominence in 1964 when he defended Jack Ruby in the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald. Other famous clients
over the years of his practice included Lenny Bruce, Mario Savio, and Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
Belli died in 1996 at the age of 88.
Scope and Content Note
The Belli papers include the correspondence, working papers and personal papers of Melvin M. Belli. The materials have generally
been kept in the order in which they were received and have been broken down into nine series following that arrangement:
Correspondence; Case Files; Professional Files; Writings; Speaking Engagements; Television/Radio/Film; Press; Subject Files;
and Personal.
Series 1
Correspondence
1953-1982
Physical Description:
cartons 1-2; carton 3, folders 1-24
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Consists primarily of copies of outgoing correspondence and memos authored by secretarial staff under Belli's signature.
Series 2
Case Files
1950-1974
Physical Description:
carton 3, folders 25-31; cartons 4-7; carton 8, folders 1-4
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Contains correspondence and legal documents relating to Belli's first divorce (from Elizabeth B. Belli); his actions against
Cutter Laboratories; actions by the American Bar Association against him and his responding lawsuits; actions by the California
State Bar Association against him and his responding lawsuits; and his defense of Jack Ruby.
carton 3, folders 25-31
Elizabeth B. Belli v. Melvin M. Belli
1950-1960
carton 4, folders 1-9
Elizabeth B. Belli v. Melvin M. Belli
1950-1960
carton 5, folders 1-18
American Bar Association
1964-1968
carton 6, folders 1-15
California State Bar v. Belli
1966-1974
carton 7, folders 1-11
California State Bar v. Belli
1966-1974
carton 8, folder 1
California State Bar v. Belli
1966-1974
carton 8, fodlers 2-4
State of Texas v. Jack Rubenstein, alias Jack Ruby
circa 1964
carton 8, folders 5-13
Series 3
Professional Files
1956-1977
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Scope and Content Note
Primarily consists of topical files regarding various professional organizations.
carton 8, folders 6-10
International Academy of Trial Lawyers
1959-1972
carton 8, folder 11
Kentucky State Bar Association
1958-1960
carton 8, folder 12
National Association of Claimants' Compensation Attorneys
1956
carton 8, folder 13
Washington Office
1974-1977
Series 4
Writings
1939-1987
Physical Description:
carton 8, folders 14-20; carton 9
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Contains correspondence, contracts, drafts and other materials regarding Belli's writings, including the books,
Ready for the Plaintiff and
Modern Trials.
carton 8, folders 14-19
Ready for the Plaintiff
1953-1970
carton 9, folder 7
The Voice of Modern Trials
1959
carton 9, folder 10
The Assault on the Death Penalty
undated
carton 9, folder 11
Class Actions... The Small Claimant's Right to Justice
1970
carton 9, folder 12
Divorce- Love that Spouse!
undated
carton 9, folder 13
It's a Better World than Barnum's
undated
carton 9, folder 15
Making Eight the Hard Way
circa 1982
carton 9, folder 18
Punitive Damages Article
1977
carton 9, folder 22
Kemp's- Quantum of Damages in Personal Injury Cases
1955-1956
carton 9, folder 23
Killer: A Journal of Murder- review
undated
carton 9, folder 24
Potential Writings
1957-1958
carton 9, folder 25
Writings Pending
1955-1960
carton 9, folder 26
Literary General
1957-1958
carton 9, folder 27
Contracts and Correspondence
1969-1972
carton 9, folder 28
Central Book Company
1956-1959
Series 5
Speaking Engagements
1953-1987
Physical Description:
carton 10, folders 1-32
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes drafts of speeches, correspondence regarding speaking engagements and other materials regarding requests for Belli
to speak at various events.
carton 10, folder 2
Medico- Legal Seminar
1958
carton 10, folder 8
Jake Ehrlich Memorial
1972-1973
carton 10, folder 9
The Wonderful World of Torts
1973
carton 10, folder 10
Harvard Law School Forum
1975
carton 10, folder 12
South Bay Press Club
1975-1976
carton 10, folder 13
National College of Advocacy
1976
carton 10, folder 14
Sacramento Barristers Club
1976
carton 10, folder 15
International First Aid and Rescue Organization
1977
carton 10, folder 17
San Diego Trial Lawyers Association
1975-1977
carton 10, folder 18
Junior League of San Francisco
1977
carton 10, folder 19
San Francisco Dental Forum
1977
carton 10, folder 20
Ivy League Lectures
1977, 1980
carton 10, folder 22
Speaking Engagements
1982-1985
carton 10, folder 23
Potential Lectures
1957-1958
Series 6
Television/ Radio/ Film
1967-1985
Physical Description:
carton 10, folders 33-34; carton 11, folders 1-7
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence, contracts and other materials regarding television, film and radio appearances made by Belli.
carton 11, folder 3
Film- Burton Moss Agency
1970
carton 11, folder 7
The World According to Belli
1985
Series 7
Press
1954-1989
Physical Description:
carton 11, folders 8-18
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes various press clippings about Belli.
Series 8
Subject Files
1954-1980
Physical Description:
carton 11, folders 19-35; carton 12, folders 1-7; box 2
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
carton 11, folder 24
Celebrity Pumpkin Carve-in
1980
carton 11, folder 25
Civilian Restriction of Military Criminal Jurisdiction
undated
carton 11, folder 28
Federal Bar Association
1958-1959
box 2
Habush-Stich Matter- VHS tape
1979
carton 11, folder 30
Haley, Alex- Belli Biography
1967-1970
box 2
Jensen Case- KGO Footage
undated
carton 11, folder 33
Jury Selection- Senate
1967
carton 12, folder 4
Million Dollar Roundtable
1974
carton 12, folder 5
Mrs. America Pageant
1980
Series 9
Personal
1954-1986
Physical Description:
carton 12, folders 8-39; box 1; oversize folder 1
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
The first part of this series consists of papers relating to the numerous parties hosted by Belli over the years, from his
annual office Christmas Party, to cocktail parties during professional meetings and celebrations of personal milestones such
as weddings and birthdays. Other materials regarding his personal life are organized alaphabetically by topic and include
correspondence, photographs, Christmas cards and materials pertaining to his family.
box 1, folder 2
Biographical File
undated
box 1, folder 8
Personal Correspondence
1959
oversize-unit A, folder 1