Trial lawyer. His slogan, “Never plead guilty”, was known throughout the legal profession and his courtroom skills, strategies and successes gave him national acclaim. His first major case was defending Alexander Pantages in 1931, and following his successful defense, Hollywood celebrities entrusted him with their legal problems. Actors, writers, directors, musicians, sports figures, and assorted criminals became his clients. Pantages for statutory rape, Gene Krupa for marijuana, Billie Holiday for drugs, Errol Flynn and James Mason for divorce, Howard Hughes for his movie “The Outlaw”. In 1957 he defended Lawrence Ferlinghetti, owner of City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco, regarding the sale of Allen Ginsberg’s book ‘Howl and Other Poems’ in an obscenity trial. The feature film ‘Howl’ was made in 2010 with actor Jon Hamm playing the character of Jake Ehrlich. He was nicknamed “The Master”, which stemmed from his record of defending 56 individuals accused of murder and never one being sent to the gas chamber. He was the author of 11 books, one an autobiography published in 1955 which sold 2 million copies. Other titles were “A Life In My Hands” and “The Lost Art of Cross Examination”. Ehrlich’s life was said to be the model for television lawyers ‘Perry Mason’ starring Raymond Burr, and ‘Sam Benedict’ portrayed by Edmond O’Brien. Raymond Burr shadowed Ehrlich for 2 weeks to get his style down. Active in San Francisco community activities he was for decades the official legal counsel for the San Francisco Policemen’s Assn. Born Jacob Wilbur Ehrlich, he attended Georgetown University and received his law degree from San Francisco Law School.  He was known for wearing expensive, lavish jewelry, and suits and highly polished cowboy boots to go along with his often referred to as his blustery and bombastic courtroom manner.He was a member of the Masonic lodge who officiated at his strictly private funeral service.   (bio by: Bernard Johnson)  Family links:  Spouse:  Marjorie Mercer Ehrlich (1890 – 1982)