by Being a lawyer can be a very rewarding career, both personally and financially. While many lawyers make a good living, some have become incredibly wealthy. This article looks at the richest lawyers in America and how they built their fortunes.
We’ll explore the different paths these successful attorneys took to accumulate their wealth. Some made their money from big legal cases, while others used their law skills to succeed in business. A few even became famous on TV!
Top 10 Richest Lawyers In America 2024
Let’s dive in and learn about these super-rich lawyers, their careers, and how they made so much money.
Who Are the Richest Lawyers in America?
Here’s a quick look at the top 10 wealthiest lawyers in the United States:
- Jerry Reinsdorf – $2.1 billion
- Peter Angelos – $2 billion
- Bill Neukom – $850 million
- Clive Davis – $850 million
- Judith Sheindlin (Judge Judy) – $440 million
- Steuart Walton – $300 million
- Robert Shapiro – $120 million
- John Branca – $100 million
- Charlie Munger – $2.6 billion (passed away in 2023)
- Joe Jamail – $1.7 billion (passed away in 2015)
Now, let’s look at each of these successful lawyers in more detail.
1. Jerry Reinsdorf: The Chicago Sports Magnate ($2.1 Billion)
Jerry Reinsdorf is the richest lawyer in America, with a net worth of $2.1 billion. He was born on February 25, 1936, and got his law degree from George Washington University in 1960.
Real Estate and Tax Lawyer
Reinsdorf started as a lawyer focusing on real estate and taxes. He helped his clients set up tax shelters for their real estate investments. This means he found legal ways for them to pay less tax on their property deals.
But Reinsdorf didn’t stop at just being a lawyer. He used his knowledge to make smart investments of his own, especially in real estate and construction. These investments helped him build his wealth.
Owner of the Chicago Bulls and White Sox
The biggest reason for Reinsdorf’s success is his ownership of two major sports teams:
- The Chicago Bulls (basketball)
- The Chicago White Sox (baseball)
Under Reinsdorf’s ownership, these teams have had great success:
- The Bulls won 6 NBA Championships with superstar Michael Jordan
- The White Sox won the World Series in 2005, their first win in 88 years
Owning these successful teams has made Reinsdorf very rich. Sports teams can make a lot of money from ticket sales, TV deals, and merchandise.
Key Points About Jerry Reinsdorf:
- Started as a real estate and tax lawyer
- Used his legal knowledge to make smart investments
- Owns the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox
- His teams’ success has greatly increased his wealth
2. Peter Angelos: Mass Tort and Product Liability Titan ($2 Billion)
Peter Angelos is the second richest lawyer in America, worth about $2 billion. He was born on July 4, 1929, and got his law degree from the University of Baltimore in 1961.
Successful Trial Lawyer
Angelos made most of his money as a trial lawyer. He focused on big cases called “mass torts” and “product liability” suits. These are cases where many people sue a company for harm caused by its products.
Angelos was very good at winning these cases. He often worked on a “contingency fee” basis. This means he only got paid if he won the case, usually getting a percentage of the money awarded.
Notable Peter Angelos Legal Successes and Attorney Fee Amounts
Here are two of Angelos’ biggest legal wins:
- Asbestos Lawsuit: Angelos represented 8,700 workers who got sick from asbestos. He won the case and earned $330 million in fees.
- Tobacco Lawsuit: He represented the state of Maryland in a lawsuit against tobacco companies. His fee was $150 million, paid over five years.
Owner of the Baltimore Orioles
Like Jerry Reinsdorf, Angelos also owns a sports team – the Baltimore Orioles baseball team. This ownership has added to his wealth.
Key Points About Peter Angelos:
- Specialized in mass tort and product liability cases
- Won huge settlements against asbestos and tobacco companies
- Earned hundreds of millions in lawyer fees
- Owns the Baltimore Orioles baseball team
3. Bill Neukom: Microsoft’s Original Lead Lawyer ($850 Million)
Bill Neukom is tied for the third richest lawyer in America, with a net worth of $850 million. He was born in 1942 and got his law degree from Stanford Law School in 1967.
Early Career
After law school, Neukom worked as a clerk for a judge. Then, in 1978, he joined a law firm in Seattle. This is where his career took off.
Microsoft’s Lead Lawyer
In 1978, Bill Gates Sr. (father of Microsoft founder Bill Gates) asked Neukom to help with legal work for Microsoft. At the time, Microsoft was just a small startup.
Neukom did such a good job that in 1985, Microsoft hired him full-time as their main lawyer. His official title was Executive Vice President of Law and Corporate Affairs.
As Microsoft’s top lawyer, Neukom had two main jobs:
- Protect Microsoft’s intellectual property (like software copyrights)
- Defend Microsoft against antitrust claims (accusations that Microsoft was unfairly dominating the market)
Neukom worked for Microsoft until 2002. During this time, Microsoft grew into one of the biggest and most valuable companies in the world. Neukom’s work played a big part in this success, and he was rewarded with stock options that made him very wealthy.
Other Roles
After Microsoft, Neukom has had other important roles:
- President of the American Bar Association
- CEO and managing partner of the San Francisco Giants baseball team (2008-2011)
Key Points About Bill Neukom:
- Started as Microsoft’s outside lawyer when it was a small company
- Became Microsoft’s full-time lead lawyer as it grew into a tech giant
- Protected Microsoft’s intellectual property and defended against legal challenges
- His Microsoft stock options made him very wealthy
- Has held leadership roles in law and sports
4. Clive Davis: Record Producer and Executive ($850 Million)
Clive Davis is tied with Bill Neukom as the third richest lawyer in America, also worth $850 million. He was born on April 4, 1932, and got his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1956.
Early Legal Career
Davis started his career at a small law firm in New York. He then moved to a bigger firm where CBS was a client. This led to his first job in the music business.
From Lawyer to Music Executive
Here’s how Davis moved from law to music:
- Hired as assistant counsel at Columbia Records (owned by CBS)
- Became general counsel of Columbia Records at age 29
- Promoted to president of Columbia Records in 1967
President of Columbia Records and CEO of RCA Music Group
Davis was president of Columbia Records from 1967 to 1973. Later, he was CEO of RCA Music Group from 2002 to 2008.
As a record executive, Davis has:
- Won 5 Grammy Awards
- Signed many famous artists like Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Whitney Houston
Key Points About Clive Davis:
- Started as a corporate lawyer
- Moved into the music business through legal work for CBS
- Rose to top executive positions at major record labels
- Discovered and signed many famous musicians
- Won multiple Grammy Awards
5. Judith Sheindlin: TV’s Judge Judy ($440 Million)
Judith Sheindlin, better known as Judge Judy, is the fifth richest lawyer in America. She’s worth about $440 million. Sheindlin was born on October 21, 1942, and got her law degree from New York Law School in 1965.
Early Legal Career
Sheindlin’s legal career had a few different stages:
- Started as a corporate lawyer for a cosmetics company
- Left to raise her children
- Became a prosecutor in New York family court in 1972
- Appointed as a criminal court judge by New York City Mayor Ed Koch
From Court to TV
Sheindlin’s path to TV stardom happened like this:
- Featured on the TV show “60 Minutes”
- Caught the attention of TV producers
- Offered her own TV show as a judge
Judge Judy
Sheindlin’s TV show, “Judge Judy,” made her famous and very rich. The show ran for 25 years, from 1996 to 2021. It was one of the most popular daytime TV shows ever.
On the show, Sheindlin acted as an arbitrator, solving real small claims disputes. Her tough, no-nonsense style made her a TV star.
Key Points About Judith Sheindlin:
- Started as a corporate lawyer, then became a family court prosecutor
- Appointed as a real judge in New York
- Became famous after appearing on “60 Minutes”
- Starred in “Judge Judy” for 25 years
- Her TV career made her very wealthy
6. Steuart Walton: Walmart Heir and Attorney ($300 Million)
Steuart Walton is the sixth richest lawyer in America, worth about $300 million. He was born in April 1981 and got his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2004.
Early Career
Walton’s early career included:
- Working briefly for a U.S. Senator
- Practicing law in Chile
- Working for a big law firm in London
Walmart Connection
Steuart Walton is the grandson of Sam Walton, who founded Walmart. This family connection has been a big part of his career:
- Worked in Walmart’s mergers and acquisitions division
- Now sits on Walmart’s board of directors
Business Ventures
Walton has started his own businesses too:
- Founded Game Composites, a company that makes aircraft parts
- Co-founded RZC Investments, a venture capital company, with his brother
Personal Life
Steuart Walton is married to actress Kelly Rohrbach. They live in Arkansas with their son.
Family Wealth
While Steuart Walton’s personal wealth is estimated at $300 million, the Walton family as a whole is much richer. Forbes estimates the family’s total wealth at about $240 billion.
Key Points About Steuart Walton:
- Grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton
- Worked as a lawyer in Chile and London
- Has worked for Walmart and now sits on its board
- Started his own aircraft parts company
- Co-founded a venture capital firm
- Part of one of America’s wealthiest families
7. Robert Shapiro: Attorney and Entrepreneur ($120 million)
Robert Shapiro is the seventh richest lawyer in America, worth about $120 million. He was born in 1942 and got his law degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles in 1968.
Famous Defense Lawyer
Shapiro is best known for being part of O.J. Simpson’s “Dream Team” of lawyers. This was a group of top lawyers who defended Simpson in his 1994 murder trial. The trial was broadcast on TV and watched by millions of people around the world.
Besides the Simpson case, Shapiro has represented many other famous and wealthy clients throughout his career.
Entrepreneur
Shapiro didn’t just stick to being a lawyer. He also started several successful companies:
- ShoeDazzle: An online fashion subscription service. He started this with Kim Kardashian.
- LegalZoom: A website that helps people create legal documents without needing a lawyer. This company is now worth over $2 billion.
- RightCounsel.com: A website that helps people find lawyers.
Key Points About Robert Shapiro:
- Famous for being part of O.J. Simpson’s defense team
- Has represented many celebrity clients
- Co-founded ShoeDazzle with Kim Kardashian
- Started LegalZoom, now a very valuable company
- Created RightCounsel.com to connect people with lawyers
8. John Branca: Publishing and Entertainment Lawyer ($100 million)
John Branca is the eighth richest lawyer in America, worth about $100 million. He was born on December 11, 1950, and got his law degree from UCLA School of Law in 1975.
Entertainment Background
Branca comes from a family involved in entertainment:
- His mother was a singer and actress
- His father was the New York State Athletic Commissioner
- His uncle was a famous baseball player
Michael Jackson’s Lawyer and Manager
Branca is most famous for his work with Michael Jackson:
- Hired as Jackson’s manager just 5 years after finishing law school
- Continued to advise Jackson until the singer died in 2009
- Now co-manages the Michael Jackson Estate
Other Famous Clients
Branca has represented many other famous musicians. Over 30 of his clients are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, including:
- The Rolling Stones
- The Jackson 5
- Aerosmith
- ZZ Top
- Fleetwood Mac
- Bee Gees
Current Role
Branca is now a partner at a big law firm in Los Angeles. He’s in charge of their music department.
Key Points About John Branca:
- Comes from an entertainment family
- Was Michael Jackson’s lawyer and manager for many years
- Now helps manage the Michael Jackson Estate
- Has represented many famous rock bands
- Runs the music department at a major law firm
Bonus: America’s Wealthiest Lawyers In Memoriam
These two lawyers were among the richest in America but have passed away. We’re including them to honor their achievements.
9. Charlie Munger: Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway ($2.6 billion)
Charlie Munger was worth $2.6 billion when he passed away in November 2023. He was born on January 1, 1924, and got his law degree from Harvard.
Early Career
Munger started his career as a real estate lawyer in California.
Berkshire Hathaway
Munger is best known for working with Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway:
- Served as Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway
- Owned over $2.2 billion in Berkshire Hathaway stock when he died
- Known for his wise investment advice
Famous Quote
Munger once said: “Good businesses are ethical businesses.”
Key Points About Charlie Munger:
- Started as a real estate lawyer
- Became Warren Buffett’s right-hand man at Berkshire Hathaway
- Known for his investment wisdom
- Believed in the importance of business ethics
10. Joe Jamail: “Wealthiest Practicing Attorney In America” ($1.7 Billion)
Joe Jamail was worth $1.7 billion when he passed away in December 2015. He was born on October 19, 1925, and got his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 1953.
Successful Trial Lawyer
Jamail was known as the “King of Torts” because he won so many big cases:
- Won hundreds of verdicts worth at least $1 million
- Won five verdicts worth more than $100 million each
Biggest Case: Pennzoil vs. Texaco
Jamail’s biggest win was for Pennzoil against Texaco:
- Won a $10.53 billion verdict
- Earned over $330 million in lawyer fees from this one case
Key Points About Joe Jamail:
- Known as the “King of Torts”
- Won many multi-million dollar verdicts
- His biggest case earned him over $330 million in fees
- Was called the “Wealthiest Practicing Attorney in America”
Key Lessons from America’s Richest Lawyers:
- Diversify Your Skills: Many of these lawyers didn’t stick to just practicing law. They used their legal knowledge in other fields.
- Take Risks: Several of these lawyers started their businesses or made big career changes.
- Find a Niche: Some, like John Branca in entertainment law, became experts in specific areas of law.
- Build Relationships: Many of these lawyers became successful partly because of the connections they made.
- Keep Learning: The legal field is always changing. Successful lawyers stay up-to-date and adapt to new situations.
FAQs About America’s Richest Lawyers
Here are some common questions people ask about wealthy lawyers:
- Q: Do all lawyers make this much money?
A: No, these lawyers are exceptional cases. Most lawyers make good money, but not nearly this much. The average lawyer in the U.S. makes about $126,930 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Q: What type of law makes the most money?
A: Based on this list, we can see that different types of law can lead to wealth:
- Corporate law (like Bill Neukom at Microsoft)
- Personal injury law (like Joe Jamail)
- Entertainment law (like John Branca)
- Mass tort litigation (like Peter Angelos)
- Q: How long does it take to become a rich lawyer?
A: It usually takes many years. Most of these lawyers worked for decades before becoming super-wealthy. However, some, like Steuart Walton, had family connections that helped.
- Q: Do I need to go to a top law school to become rich?
A: Not necessarily. While some on this list went to top schools like Harvard, others went to less famous schools. What matters most is how you use your degree.
- Q: Can I get rich just by practicing law?
A: It’s possible, but rare. Many of the richest lawyers combined their legal careers with other ventures, like business ownership or investments.
Conclusion:
Looking at these super-rich lawyers, we can see that there are many ways to become wealthy in the legal profession:
- Winning Big Cases: Lawyers like Peter Angelos and Joe Jamail made millions from big court victories.
- Corporate Law: Bill Neukom got rich by being the top lawyer for a hugely successful company (Microsoft).
- Entertainment Law: John Branca and Clive Davis used their legal skills in the music industry.
- Entrepreneurship: Robert Shapiro started successful businesses like LegalZoom.
- TV Fame: Judge Judy turned her legal experience into a popular TV show.
- Investments: Charlie Munger used his legal background to become a successful investor.
- Family Connections: Steuart Walton combined his law degree with his family’s business empire.
- Sports Ownership: Jerry Reinsdorf and Peter Angelos used their legal careers as a springboard to owning sports teams.
These stories show that a law degree can open many doors. It’s not just about working in a law firm. Legal knowledge can be valuable in business, entertainment, sports, and more.
