These lawyers have gained fame for their exceptional skills, landmark cases, and dedication to justice. Among them, some stand out prominently for their influence and impact. The legal field in America is changing all the time, and not only lawyers are important but also legal professionals who are respected for their unprecedented legal decisions. The United States is no exception; it produced a remarkable number of legal minds that were critical in both the development and consolidation of jurisprudence and important legal decisions.
1.Peter Angelos
Peter Angelos graduated valedictorian from the University of Baltimore School of Law and began his private practice in 1961. During his career, he represented thousands of clients in product liability, personal injury, and professional malpractice. In 1982, his wealth skyrocketed when he represented a large number of plaintiffs in asbestos litigation and won–making over $100 million on a single case. In 1993, Angelos led a group of investors–including novelist Tom Clancy and Barry Levinson–to purchase the Baltimore Orioles for $173 million.
2.Jerry Reinsdorf
Jerry Reinsdorf’s professional life began as a tax attorney. Ironically, his first case was the tax delinquency of Bill Veeck, who–at the time–owned the White Sox. Twenty-one years later, Reinsdorf accumulated enough money to purchase the White Sox for $19 million, and another four years later, he bought the Chicago Bulls for $16 million. During his time with them, Reinsdorf saw the Chicago Bulls win six World Championships with the valuable help of NBA superstar Michael Jordan. As a cherry on top of his impressive professional achievements, Reinsdorf is also a certified accountant and a specialist in real estate security.
3.Bill Neukom
Bill Neukom was recruited by Bill Gates Sr. to oversee his son’s new business, Microsoft. At the time, Microsoft had only 12 employees, and Neukom would stay there for 25 years. After Microsoft, he was elected as the President of the American Bar Association from 2007–2008 and later became the CEO of the San Francisco Giants between 2008–2011. During these three years, Neukom guided the team to its first World Series since 1958.
4.Judith Sheindlin
she graduated from New York Law School as the only woman in her class. Thirty-one years later, her show Judge Judy launched, becoming an instant success and turning her into a millionaire. The show aired for 25 years, from 1996–2021, and in 2015, she was awarded as television’s longest-serving judge by Guinness World Records. While much of her fortune came from Judge Judy, she’s also written several books, including Don’t Pee on my Leg and Tell Me It’s Raining.
5.Willie E. Gary
Willie E. Gary earned his J.D. degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Since then, he has earned the nickname of The Giant Slayer, winning over 150 lawsuits against massive corporations, including Disney. One such case resulted in a $500 million settlement–no small pocket change. Gary also owns a private jet nicknamed the Wings of Justice, and if that’s not the most American thing ever.
6.Robert Shapiro
Robert Shapiro’s call to fame comes from joining the Dream Team in 2004–the same team that defended O.J. Simpson against allegations of murder. After this high-profile case, he expanded his portfolio by co-founding ShoeDazzle, LegalZoom, and RightCouncil.com. Quite the entrepreneur! Tragedy struck in 2005, however, when his son died from a drug overdose. This prompted Shapiro to write the children’s book Somo Says No, with a strong anti-drug message.
7.John Branca
One of the wealthiest entertainment lawyers in the world, John Branca has represented various high-profile names such as Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, and Aerosmith. Branca specializes in rock-and-roll and various other music labels. In 2016, he was named “Lawyer of the Year” by Billboard, and in 2019, he was named “World’s #1 Music Attorney” by Marquis Who’s Who. Currently, he’s the chairman of The Michael Jackson Company based in New York.
8.Roy Black
Roy Black received the highest possible score on the Florida Bar Exam in 1970. He was a defense attorney with a portfolio of high-profile clients, such as Jeffery Epstein and Justin Bieber. Black gave many legal commentaries (such as NBC news) and appeared in The Law Firm, a reality-based TV show, in 2005. Currently, he’s partnered with Black Srebnick, a Miami-based trial firm.
9.William Barr
William Bar got his J.D. degree in 1977 from George Washington University Law School. He was appointed the 77th United States Attorney General under President George H. W. Bush in 1989. He must’ve done an excellent job, as President Trump called Barr back into office in 2019 as the 85th Attorney General.
10.George Conway
George Conway got his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1987. His lawyering resume is substantial: from serving as a law clerk to Judge Ralph K. Winter Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals and becoming a founding partner of the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen, & Katz Law Firm, Conway took part in several notable cases