Lloyd Paul Stryker

Stryker, shown here with Alger Hiss, was known as the best criminal attorney in New York when he was hired to defend Hiss in the first trial. A man noted for his histrionic defenses, he lived up to his reputation as he ferociously attacked Whittaker Chambers' testimony in court. His work helped earn a hung jury for Hiss. 

Stryker told Hiss he could keep getting him hung juries until the end of time, but Hiss sought vindication. When Hiss thought the trial would be moved to Vermont, he replaced Stryker with the more sedate Claude Cross, a corporate lawyer from Boston who until then had never tried a criminal case.