LAWYER
Gene Shapiro was Mahalia Jackson's lawyer and was nicknamed "Superior" by her staff and friends.
He was also described as her "great white lawyer," whom Mahalia kept secret for a long time.
Relationship and working methods
After changing lawyers, Shapiro and a small team suddenly set up office in Mahalia's apartment and began work at ten in the morning, often while Mahalia was still asleep. John, a member of her staff, wondered whether the lawyers were paying for the space Mahalia had provided. Mahalia, on the other hand, probably felt important seeing her own legal staff working on her "empire" in her home. Shapiro did not let the surroundings distract him and enjoyed a good fight. He was convinced that "Hollywood types" throwing technical jargon at him would not cloud his clear vision.
Financial and business matters
He was appalled by the mess in Mahalia's financial and business affairs after her marriage to Sigmond Galloway, including tangled contracts, mismanagement of real estate, disputes over percentage shares, misplaced funds, missing portfolios, "people in a bind," overpaid credit card bills, bounced checks, and forgotten deposits.
He offered Mahalia his services, but had two reservations: the Mahalia Jackson Foundation and the "Chicken System" – a business deal Mahalia had recently concluded in Memphis. Mahalia kept him and his reservations secret for a long time.
Shapiro informed Mahalia that her house on Indiana Avenue had finally been sold, which made her smile. She also told him that she had been unable to find her key to the bank safe deposit box for years.
On January 4, 1972, Mahalia called Gene Shapiro and demanded that all her savings bonds be cashed immediately. Shapiro met with Allen at the bank, obtained a bank check for $100,000, and made sure that all the documents were in Mahalia's name before resigning as her attorney in writing on January 6, 1972. But on January 7, Mahalia called him in tears and asked him to be her attorney again, saying he was the "only one" she had.
Marriage contract with Sigmond Galloway
Shapiro patiently explained the terms of the prenuptial agreement, which stipulated that Sigmund and Mahalia would waive all claims to each other's existing property in the event of marriage. He presented both of them with a formal copy for review.
Had Sigmond signed the contract, Mahalia Shapiro would have instructed her lawyer the next morning to draw up a will leaving everything to Sigmond.
Shapiro analyzed that Galloway feared being stripped of his power by the prenuptial agreement and subsequently drew up papers for M-G Investment Co. to create opportunities for him. He was delighted when Sigmond appeared willing to sign the agreement, which would net him a considerable sum of money. Shapiro insisted that Mahalia be present at the signing, but withheld some details from him, including a subsequent will in favor of Galloway.
Matters concerning the temple planned by Mahalia
Shapiro was instrumental in negotiating the purchase of a temple (a former synagogue) for Mahalia. The asking price was $450,000, and Shapiro urged Mahalia to make an offer of $235,000 or $225,000. He was present at a meeting with Bob Miller, Judge Hooks, Reverend Parnell, Reverend Lewis, and Roland Burris of Continental Illinois National Bank regarding the temple.
He ensured that Mahalia retained control of the temple even when a board of directors was appointed.
Shapiro, Bob Miller, and Allen Clark investigated an alleged fraud attempt by a preacher who claimed to want to buy the temple and discovered that his stated address was a basement church and that he was attempting to profit from the sale to Mahalia.
He also successfully represented Mahalia in recovering items that had been removed from the temple contrary to the original agreement, with the exception of a grand piano that belonged to someone else. Shapiro advised Mahalia not to buy the temple, but wished he could have convinced her before the deadline expired, as she was reluctant. He told Mahalia that she would lose $40,000 if she did not buy the temple. He relayed her decision not to buy, due to her poor health and lack of funds, to the real estate agents.
Film and television projects
SShapiro was surprised to learn that Bob Phillips had signed a contract for a one-hour TV special about Mahalia without his knowledge. He learned that Bergmann would be filming Mahalia's concerts for the State Department. Shapiro confronted Allen Miner about a "royally screwed up" film project for the government. He was sure he could negotiate a better deal by refusing to release the film, as Mahalia's story and personality had not been portrayed accurately.
Health and personal crises
In December 2012, when Mahalia became seriously ill in Germany, Shapiro fought from Chicago to reach her, as the tour contract appeared to have been broken due to a lack of financial contributions.
He tried to find an American doctor for Mahalia in Munich, but was turned away by the US consulate and a military hospital because they did not treat civilians. When Mahalia called him from the hospital, she wanted to liquidate all her possessions and move to Arizona. She surprised him with the news of an upcoming operation and her intention to remarry Minters.