AGANA, Guam, July 16 -- Former O.J. Simpson attorney Johnnie Cochran is tackling a new high-profile case involving the massive estate of a founder of the DHL courier service. Cochran arrived in Guam late Monday to join local attorneys representing a 12-year-old boy named Larry Hillbroom Jr. who claims to be the son of the late Larry Hillblom, founder of the DHL Worldwide Express courier service who left an estimated $1 billion estate. Hillblom was declared dead in July 1995 after his seaplane crashed into the ocean near Saipan in the Northern Marianas, a U.S. commonwealth in the central Pacific. His body was never recovered. Cochran arrived on Guam late Monday on a flight from Honolulu. He spoke briefly to local reporters, saying only that he was asked by local attorneys to join the case. Cochran was the key defense attorney for football legend Simpson, who was acquitted of killing his ex-wife and her friend in a lengthy murder trial that captured the attention of the world. In his will, Hillblom left the bulk of his estate to a charitable trust, with directions to support the University of California, Berkeley, where he received his law degree. The will did not mention any children. After his death, attorneys Roland Fairfield and David Lujan claimed the estate on the boy's behalf, contending he was Hillblom's only child. Fairfield said Hillblom gave financial support to Hillbroom, furthering the boy's claim. Soon after the claim was filed, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, where Hillblom resided, passed a law, that prevented illegitimate children from sharing in their father's estate unless the children were living with the father.
Hillblom and Hillbroom lived apart. 'The heirship law is unconstitutional,' said Fairfield, adding the claim was filed before the law was enacted. The commowealth's supreme court, which issued a stay on all paternity proceedings in the case, has blocked Fairfield's team from collecting DNA samples from Hillblom. Matching Hillblom's DNA with Hillbroom's would make their case, Fairfield said. The court must first decide if the estate's executor, the Bank of Saipan, has the right to fight Hillbroom's paternity claim. Fairfield contends only the Hillblom trust can do so. Two children living in the Philippines have made similar claims against Hillblom's estate. Hillblom was viewed as an eccentric by some, living on a Pacific island and wearing jeans, cowboy boots and T-shirts when he traveled. He started DHL while still in college and later bought out his two partners. He also owned a substantial share of Continental Airlines and had invested $70 million in a Vietnam resort.
