Ever wondered who are the best lawyers in the world, check out this guide to find out the world’s top fifteen lawyers.
Every society in the world today needs the best and most qualified lawyers. It’s not just society that needs these lawyers, they are also needed to give legal advice and represent people in a court of law.
Law is a career that demands the best and most qualified individuals. And that brings us to the question, who are the world’s best lawyers?
Some of the best lawyers on the planet are mostly Americans. On this list, you will find names like John Branca, Willie E. Gary, and Amal Clooney.
In a moment, we are going to list other world’s famous lawyers, so sit tight and continue reading this guide.
Who Are the Best Lawyers in the World?
We can agree that Robert Leslie Shapiro and Willie E. Gary deserve to be on this list.
The famous American lawyer Shapiro was a member of the “Dream Team” of O.J. Simpson’s attorneys that defended him from the murder charges of his ex-wife and Ron Goldman in 1994.
Willie E. Gary is another famous American lawyer who is regarded as one of the United States’ most respected and accomplished lawyers.
These are just a few names on our list of the world’s top 15 lawyers.
Also Read: 20 Highest Paid Lawyers in the World 2023
15 Best Layers in the World
Here is a list of the top fifteen lawyers in the world.
#1. Willie E. Gary
Born on July 12, 1947, American lawyer Willie E. Gary is the first name on our list of the best lawyers in the world.
Gary was in Eastman, Georgia. The American lawyers attended Shaw University. Willie went to Shaw University on a football scholarship. He graduated from Shaw University in 1971 and later earned his Juris Doctor degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Dubbed The Giant Killer, Willie won a $240 million verdict against American multinational and entertainment conglomerate Disney.
Willie E. Gary also filed a lawsuit against Raymond Loewen, after the Canadian businessman reneged on a contractual agreement with Mississippi funeral home operator, Jeremiah Joseph O’Keffe.
The American Bar Association awarded the “Giant Killer” the Spirit of Excellence award in Las Vegas back in 2019.
#2. Judy Sheindlin
If you are familiar with the American arbitration-based reality court show Judge Judy, I believe you already know Judith Susan Sheindlin.
Judith Susan was born on October 21, 1942, in Brooklyn New York and she attended America University in D.C. She is a media personality, television producer, author, and former prosecutor and Manhattan family court judge.
In the mid-1960, she passed the New York state bar examination. After that, she was hired as a corporate lawyer for a cosmetic firm.
Sheindlin became a prosecutor in the New York family court system back in 1972. The famous American court shoe arbitrator prosecuted cases involving domestic violence, juvenile offenders and child abuse.
In 2019, Sheindlin received a Lifetime Achievement Emmy. She also set a Guinness World Record in 2015, after becoming the longest-serving television arbitrator in courtroom-themed programming history.
#3. John Branca
Next on our list of the best lawyers in the world is John Branca.
American entertainment lawyer John Gregory Branca was born on December 11, 1950, in Bronxville, New York. Branca moved to Los Angeles at a very young age where he started a rock band.
Branca majored in music at Los Angeles City College before he transferred to Occidental College. After he graduated, Branca enrolled at the University of California Los Angeles School of Law.
He served as editor-in-chief of one of the law reviews at UCLA School of Law. Branca received his degree from UCLA School of Law in 1975.
When the late pop star Michael Jackson sacked his father as manager, Branca was hired as manager of Jackson’s career. The famous American entertainment lawyers helped the late pop star to purchase ATV Music Publishing back in 1985.
Branca is still the co-executor of the Michael Jackson Estate.
#4. Amal Clooney
Born on February 3, 1978, Lebanese and British barrister Amal Clooney is 9one of the best lawyers in the world.
Clooney’s clients include former president of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed, former prime minister of Ukraine Yulia Tymoshenko, Iraqi activist Nadia Murad, and founder of WikiLeaks Julian Assange.
Clooney is married to one of the wealthiest Hollywood actors, George Clooney. She attended St Hugh’s College, Oxford and New York University School of Law. She also worked at Sullivan & Cromwell as part of the Criminal Defence and Investigation Group.
In 2002, Clooney was admitted to the bar in New York and also called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2010.
Clooney completed a judicial clerkship at the International Court of Justice, where she served under Judge Vladlen S. Vereshchetin, Judge Sir Franklin Berman, and Judge Nabil Elaraby.
#5. Harish Salve
Salve is an Indian senior advocate who served as the solicitor general of the country from 1999 to 2003. Salve also practices at the supreme court of India.
The Indian also worked with the former attorney general of India Soli Sorabjee between 1980 and 1986.
Salve declined to be nominated for a second three-year term in 2002. He declined the nomination due to personal reasons.
Harish Salve was admitted to the English Bar in 2013. Indian Today magazine included Salve in India’s 50 most powerful people of 2017 list.
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#6. Roy Black
American criminal defence trial attorney Roy Black is one of the best lawyers in the world. The American lawyer was born on February 17, 1945, in New York City, New York.
Black obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of Miami in 1967. He also earned his Juris Doctor at the University of Miami School of Law.
The American lawyer is currently a partner in Black Srebnick and also serves as an adjunct instructor of criminal evidence at the University of Miami School of Law.
Roy Black also provides legal commentary for different NBC news shows. He once won an acquittal for a client charged with bribing a tennis coach at Georgetown University.
#7. David Boies
Born on March 11, 1941, David Boies is an American lawyer and chairman of Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, a national law firm in New York City.
Boies attended and graduated from Fullerton Union High School. From 1960 to 1962, Boies attended the University of Redland. He later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University in 1964.
In 1966, Boies earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Yale Law School. He also received an LL.M. degree from the New University School of Law in 1967.
The American lawyer was awarded an honorary LL.D. from the University of Redlands. Currently, Boies serves on the board of trustees of the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Boies became a famous American lawyer, after prosecuting Microsoft in United States v, Microsoft. He also represented various clients including one of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims Virginia Roberts Gluffre and former film producer and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein.
#8. Robert Shapiro
Next on our list of the best lawyers in the world is Robert Leslie Shapiro.
Born on September 2, 1942, Robert Leslie is an American lawyer who is widely recognized for being the short-term defence lawyer of Erick Menendez.
Shapiro was also a member of the Dream Team of O.J Simpson’s attorney that defended him from the murder charges of his ex-wife and Ron Goldman.
Robert Shapiro attended and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1961. He also obtained a J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1968, after earning a bachelor of science at UCLA.
In 1969, Robert Leslie Shapiro was admitted to the State Bar of California. Shapiro represented several American athletes including O.J. Simpson, Jose Canesco, Vice Colman, and Darryl Strawberry.
Shapiro also represented the Kardashians, Johnny Carson, Christian Brando, F. Lee Bailey, and Linda Lovelace.
#9. Mark Geragos
American criminal defence lawyer Mark John Geragos is the managing partner of Geragos & Geragos in Los Angeles.
The American lawyer was born on October 5, 1957, in Los Angeles, California. Geragos obtained a bachelor’s degree from Haverford University in 1979.
In 1982, Geragos earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School at Loyola Marymount University. A year later, Geragos was admitted to the State Bar of California.
Geragos has represented several clients including NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield, Gary Condit, Scoot Barney, and Scott Peterson.
The American lawyer also defended Winona Ryder on the charges of stealing over $5,500 from a Beverly Hills store back in 2001.
#10. Alan Dershowitz
American lawyer Alan Dershowitz is one of the best lawyers in the world.
The former law professor was born on September 1, 1938, in New York. Dershowitz is best known for his work in U.S. constitutional law and American criminal law.
Alan attended Brooklyn College, where he received his A.B. in 1959. He also studied at Yale Law School and was the editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal.
Dershowitz won 13 out of the 15 murder and attempted murder cases he handled. He has also represented top celebrities such as Mike Tyson, Patty Hearst, Julian Assange, and Jim Bakker.
#11. Jose Baez
Born on September 17, 1970, Jose Baez is an American criminal defence lawyer who is best known for representing high-profile defendants.
Baez studied at Miami Dade Community College before transferring to Florida State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1997, Baez received his J.D. degree from St. Thomas University School of Law.
Jose was in the U.S. Navy for three years before enrolling at Miami Dade Community College. Baez remains one of the best lawyers in the world.
#12. Kristen Gillibrand
Born on December 9, 1966, Kristen Elizabeth Gillibrand is an American politician and lawyer.
Gillibrand grew up in upstate New York. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College and later got her J.D. from UCLA School of Law. Kristen also passed her bar examination in 1991.
The American lawyer joined Davis Polk & Wardwell, a firm law in Manhattan, New York. Gillibrand took a leave from the Manhattan-based law firm Davis Polk to serve as a law clerk to the late Judge Roger Miner of the United States Court of Appeals for the second circuit in Albany.
Gillibrand is currently serving as a U.S. senator from NewYork.
#13. Lynn Toler
American lawyers Lynn Toler is a judge television arbitrator and TV presenter. She was born on October 25, 1959, in Columbus Ohio.
In 1981, Toler obtained an undergraduate degree in English and American Literature from Harvard University. Three years later, she earned her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
The American lawyer replaced Andrew Napolitano as judge of the non-traditional court show Power of Attorney. However, she experiences more success after becoming the arbitrating judge over Divorce Court, one of the longest-syndicated programs of all time.
Also Read: How to write Law School Exam
#14. Jerry Brown
American lawyer Jerry Brown was born on April 7, 1938, in San Francisco, California. Edmund Gerald Brown Jr. is also an author and a politician who served as the 34th and 39th governor of California.
Brown attended both the University of California, Berkeley and Yale University. He began his career as a politician in the late 1960s, serving as a member of the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees.
Brown was elected as governor of California in 1971 at the age of 36. He was re-elected to office as governor of California in 2011.
Brown also served as the 31st Attorney General of California, making him one of the best lawyers in the world.
#15. Thomas Mesereau
American lawyer Thomas Arthur Mesereau Jr. is best known for defending the late pop star Michael Jackson in his child molestation trial in 2005.
Mesereau attended Harvard University, the London School of Economics, and the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.
Thomas Mesereau has also represented other celebrities such as Mike Tyson, Robert Blake, Claudia Haro, Bill Cosby and Marion “Suge” Knight.
Conclusion
With Thomas Mesereau Jr. we wrap up our list of the best lawyers in the world. Other names on this list won several cases and represented top American celebrities and former world leaders.
We hope this article on the world’s best lawyers was helpful.
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Reference
FAQs
Who is the greatest lawyers of all time? ›
#1 Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was an American politician, and lawyer who became the 16th president of the United States of America. He passed the bar in 1836 in Springfield, Illinois, and began working under his wife's cousin, John T. Stuart. Lincoln represented clients in both civil and criminal matters.
The hourly fee attorneys charge could range from as low as $50 or $100 per hour to as high as several thousand dollars per hour for specialized legal work performed by a top professional. According to the Clio 2022 Legal Trends Report, the average attorney hourly rate was $313.00 in 2022.
Who is the lawyer with most won cases? ›Gerald Leonard Spence (born January 8, 1929) is a semi-retired American trial lawyer. He is a member of the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. Spence has never lost a criminal case before a jury either as a prosecutor or a defense attorney, and has not lost a civil case since 1969.
Who is the top lawyer in America? ›- Brian Panish. Panish Shea & Boyle. 11111 Santa Monica Blvd #700, Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA. ...
- Carolyn B. Lamm. White & Case LLP. ...
- Gary P. Naftalis. Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel. ...
- Irvin V. Cantor. Cantor Stoneburner Ford Grana Buckner. ...
- James W. Quinn. ...
- Joseph W. Cotchett. ...
- Mark Lanier. The Lanier Law Firm. ...
- Mark P. Robinson, Jr.
- Those named 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” are:
- Cleveland. John A. ...
- Columbus-OH. Mark D. ...
- Benesch's 2022 Best Lawyers are:
- Chicago, IL. Margo Wolf O'Donnell - Commercial Litigation.
- Cleveland, OH. Eric Baisden: Labor Law - Management. ...
- Columbus, OH. David M. ...
- San Francisco, CA.
- Anderson Kill.
- Covington.
- Cravath.
- Dentons.
- Gibson Dunn.
- Hueston Hennigan.
- Husch Blackwell.
- Jackson Walker.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ginsburg was appointed a judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1980, leading to her eventual nomination and confirmation as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
You are a “lawyer” if you graduate from law school. You then become an “attorney” if you pass the bar exam and enter the State Bar Association for the state in which you practice law. If a lawyer does not go on to become an attorney, then that person cannot practice law in a particular jurisdiction.
Which is the best law firm? ›- Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. This firm is one of the largest law firms in India. ...
- Trilegal India. ...
- Khaitan & Co. ...
- Sagar Associates. ...
- DSK Legal. ...
- AZB & Partners. ...
- Anand & Anand. ...
- Vaish associates.
The average cost for misdemeanor defense is $2500 to $8000, while the average cost for felony defense is $10,000 to $20,000.
Who are the most feared trial lawyers? ›
US foursome Quinn Emanuel, Kirkland & Ellis, Jones Day, and Skadden are apparently amongst the “most feared” law firms to come up against in litigation, according to a survey.
What happens if a lawyer loses? ›If they don't win the case, then they don't earn. Generally, this is a win-win arrangement for both lawyers and clients. Clients can access justice despite limited resources, as paying the attorney depends on winning the case.
Do lawyers not take money if they dont win case? ›Do Lawyers Get Paid for Winning Cases? Lawyers who work on personal injury cases for their clients typically will not receive a fee unless they reach a successful outcome for their clients. Simply, lawyers will get paid for winning cases.
Who is Trump's main lawyer? ›| Michael Cohen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael Dean Cohen August 25, 1966 Lawrence, New York, U.S. |
| Education | American University (BA) Cooley Law School (JD) |
| Political party | Democratic (before 2002, 2004–2017, 2018–present) Republican (2002–2004, 2017–2018) |
| Spouse | Laura Shusterman ( m. 1994) |
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
- Latham & Watkins LLP.
- DLA Piper.
- Baker McKenzie.
- Baker McKenzie.
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
- Sidley Austin.
- Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland was sworn in as the 86th Attorney General of the United States on March 11, 2021. As the nation's chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Garland leads the Justice Department's 115,000 employees, who work across the United States and in more than 50 countries worldwide.
What type of lawyers make millions? ›- Corporate Law. Lawyers who work for corporations can earn millions of dollars as a general counsel. ...
- Criminal Law. ...
- Personal Injury. ...
- Bankruptcy Law. ...
- Family Law.
Thomson Snell & Passmore is a law firm in Kent, in the United Kingdom. It holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest continually operating law firm still in existence.
What is the most elite law school? ›- Harvard University. Law school at Harvard. ...
- University of Pennsylvania. PennCareyLaw. ...
- University of Virginia. ...
- University of Michigan. ...
- Yale University. ...
- Cornell University. ...
- Columbia University. ...
- Duke University.
...
| Law Firm | 1st-Year Salary | 2nd-Year Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Allen & Overy | $202,500- $205,000 | $215,000 |
| Cahill | $205,000 | $215,000 |
| Clifford Chance | $205,000 | $215,000 |
| Gibson Dunn | $205,000 | $215,000 |
Who is a lawyer likely to marry? ›
Unsurprisingly, it turns out that most lawyers marry other lawyers. But male lawyers also marry schoolteachers, secretaries, and miscellaneous managers. And lesbian lawyers marry people in other computer occupations.
What is the most famous law firm in the world? ›The chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda is one of the world's most influential human rights lawyers working today.
Who is the best defense attorney in the world? ›- William Neukom Net Worth 2021: $8 Million. ...
- William Lerach Net Worth 2021: $900 million. ...
- Wichai Thongtang Net Worth 2021: $1.7 billion. ...
- Joe Jamail Net Worth 2021: $1.7 billion. ...
- Richard Scruggs Net Worth 2021: $1.7 billion.
Advantages of Telling the Truth
First and foremost, by giving your defense lawyer all of the facts and details, you're helping them formulate the best possible defense strategy. Remember that your attorney knows the law in a completely different way than you do.
Of the most influential lawyers in American history, there are five that stand out. Five of the best lawyers in American history are Abraham Lincoln, Mary Jo White, Johnnie Cochran, Joe Jamail, and Thurgood Marshall.
How many years does it take to become a lawyer? ›Law School
The examinee must have finished his/her four-year law course at a college or university accredited by the Philippine Board of Legal Education.
Kim, 42, passed the baby bar exam in 2021, but she still has a long way to go until she will be a fully qualified lawyer. Speaking on Law&Crime network, her mentor attorney Jessica Jackson explained that the TV personality is currently doing a four year apprenticeship under her watch.
Can an attorney not be a lawyer? ›What's the difference between an attorney and a lawyer? Technically speaking, all attorneys are lawyers, but not all lawyers are attorneys. The word attorney, a common shortening of attorney-at-law, refers to a person who has successfully passed the bar examination (or bar exam).
What are the 5 magic circle law firms? ›...
Based in London, these firms are:
- Allen & Overy.
- Clifford Chance.
- Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
- Linklaters.
- Slaughter and May.
What is the oldest law firm in US? ›
Rawle & Henderson, LLP, the oldest law firm in the United States, was founded by William Rawle in Philadelphia in 1783.
What is the easiest job in a law firm? ›Real estate law, estate planning law, and intellectual property law are commonly cited as the least stressful types of law to practice.
What is the most common felony charge? ›- #1: Drug Crimes. Although there have been recent changes in state laws, including Arizona, that now make some drug crimes misdemeanors, many drug crimes can lead to felony charges. ...
- #2: Violent Crimes. ...
- #3: Theft. ...
- #4: Sex Crimes.
A lawyer will often charge a retainer fee when you first hire them. This fee will cover their initial hourly expenses while they deal with your case. For example, if an attorney has a standard hourly rate of $100, then they may charge a $5,000 initial retainer.
What is the least punishment for a felony? ›For less serious or first-time felonies, the judge can usually sentence a person to either jail time or probation, instead of prison. If the crime involves serious physical harm, like murder or aggravated assault, a convicted felon will likely face a lengthy prison sentence.
Who is the most powerful member of the courtroom? ›Full text. 1Prosecutors are the most powerful officials in the American criminal justice system. They control the direction and outcome of all criminal cases, particularly through their charging and plea-bargaining decisions.
What type of lawyer goes to court the least? ›There are many types of lawyers that rarely (if ever) go into court, as the scope of their work does not require it. These may include estate planning lawyers, labor lawyers, personal injury lawyers, and bankruptcy lawyers.
What lawyers should not say? ›- My case will be easy money for you. ...
- I have already done the work for you. ...
- I forgot I had an appointment. ...
- I've already talked to a lot of other lawyers. ...
- I don't have all my documents.
Lawyers can withdraw based on the fact their client refuses to be truthful, refuses to follow the attorney's advice, demands to pursue an unethical course of action, demands unrealistic results, desires to mislead the Court, refuses to cooperate with their counsel as well as countless other reasons.
Can a lawyer refuse to accept a losing case? ›Rule 2.01 - A lawyer shall not reject, except for valid reasons, the cause of the defenseless or the oppressed. Rule 2.02 - In such cases, even if the lawyer does not accept a case, he shall not refuse to render legal advice to the person concerned if only to the extent necessary to safeguard the latter's rights.
What is it called when a lawyer quits? ›
Withdrawal from representation, in United States law, occurs where an attorney terminates a relationship of representing a client. There are two types of withdrawal: mandatory and voluntary.
Do you get lawyer fees back if you win? ›Recovery of legal costs is always at the discretion of the court. There isn't an absolute right to recover your legal costs, even if you win. The court will need to exercise its discretion before making a decision. This does not mean that it's completely arbitrary.
Why do lawyers drag out cases? ›Your lawyer may deliberately delay a settlement in order to procure evidence that can increase the value of the case. That evidence can show the extent of your losses or who was responsible for the accident.
What is the most common complaint against lawyers? ›- Your lawyer doesn't respond to your attempts at contact and refuses to return telephone calls and emails.
- You're told a settlement check was sent to your attorney, but your lawyer never informs you of it.
Zenas the Lawyer (Ancient Greek: Ζηνᾶς) was a first-century Christian mentioned in Paul the Apostle's Epistle to Titus in the New Testament. In Titus 3:13, Paul writes: "Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them" (KJV).
Who is the richest lawyer in the world? ›Richard Scruggs is undoubtedly the richest lawyer at the time of writing who has amassed his fortune from a career in law.
Who is the best power of attorney? ›- you trust and who will act in your best interests;
- at least 20 years old;
- who is not bankrupt or subject to a personal or property order (for an enduring power of attorney); and.
- who understands their role as an attorney, and agrees to it.
Topping the list of the country's most expensive lawyers is Kirkland & Ellis partner Kirk Radke. The private equity and corporate counsel bills $1,250 per hour.
What are lawyers called in Bible? ›lo'-yer (nomikos, "according or pertaining to law," i.e. legal; as noun, "an expert in law," "about the law," "lawyer" (Matthew 22:35; Luke 7:30; 10:25; 11:45,46,52; 14:3; Titus 3:13)):
Who is the angel of law? ›Raguel is almost always referred to as the archangel of justice, fairness, harmony, vengeance, and redemption. In the Book of Enoch, cap. XXIII, Raguel is one of the seven angels whose role is to watch.
What is Jesus law called? ›
It has been suggested that "the law of Christ" could be an allusion to the second greatest commandment ("love thy neighbor") or the New Commandment ("love one another; as I have loved you"). Others suggest this phrase is just another name for "the law of God" as Christians believe the Messiah is God.
Who are rich lawyers or doctors? ›To the surprise of some, the reality is that the discrepancy is not even close. Specifically, the average doctor makes $208,000 per year, while the average lawyer makes $118,160.
How much do lawyers from Harvard make? ›| Job Title | Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney / Lawyer | Range:$65k - $175k | Average:$95,000 |
| Law Firm Partner | Range:$254k - $462k | Average:$375,000 |
| Senior Counsel | Range:$159k - $255k | Average:$196,527 |
| Assistant General Counsel | Range:$157k - $216k | Average:$204,857 |
Well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for attorneys in the US is just over $125,000. The highest-paid lawyers (10% of the legal workforce) make over $208,000 However, the top 1% of attorneys make $500,000 or more per year. How come the top 1% do so much better than the rest?
What is the easiest attorney to be? ›Real estate law, estate planning law, and intellectual property law are commonly cited as the least stressful types of law to practice.
Who makes decisions if no power of attorney? ›If you have not given someone authority to make decisions under a power of attorney, then decisions about your health, care and living arrangements will be made by your care professional, the doctor or social worker who is in charge of your treatment or care.
Are there free lawyers in USA? ›In non-criminal or "civil" cases, you do not have the right to a free lawyer. But there are many legal aid and pro bono programs that provide free legal help for the poor in civil cases.
How much do lawyers charge per hour in USA? ›According to a survey of Law Firm Economics by the National Law Journal and ALM Legal Intelligence, the hourly rate for attorney in the United States is upward of $391.