He has been practicing law for over 40 years, and has represented several high-profile clients, most notably former HealthSouth CEO Richard M. Scrushy, Swedish criminal Bo Stefan Eriksson, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and Alabama State Senator Harri Anne Smith.
[3] He rose to national prominence when he was retained as lead counsel in the defense of HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy, who faced a high-profile prosecution on over 30 counts of accounting fraud.
[4] The long trial concluded with a colorful and folksy closing argument from Parkman,[5] and Scrushy was ultimately acquitted on every count.
[8] In the summer of 2011, Parkman represented Alabama State Senator Harri Anne Smith, who was charged along with eight others under federal bribery, mail and wire fraud statutes.
[9] After an initial mistrial, a second prosecution, and an expectedly colorful closing argument,[10] Parkman was able to secure acquittals on all counts for his client.