Robert Shapiro is an American celebrity lawyer, who has a net worth of $100 million. Robert Shapiro is well known for defending Erik Menendez and O. J. Simpson throughout the 1990s.
As one of many attorneys representing the latter, he contributed to Simpson’s successful defense against charges of murdering his ex-wife and a friend.
Later in his career, Shapiro moved into civil litigation and co-founded LegalZoom, a legal technology company, and ShoeDazzle, an online fashion subscription service.
Who is Robert Shapiro?
Robert Shapiro was born in 1942 in Plainfield, New Jersey, to a Jewish family. He eventually relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he attended Hamilton High School and then UCLA. Shapiro graduated from the latter with a BS in finance and went on to Loyola Marymount University’s Loyola Law School, where he earned his JD in 1968. The following year, he was admitted to the State Bar of California.
Shortly after the O.J. Simpson trial, Shapiro transitioned his business from criminal defense to civil litigation. Aside from Simpson, Shapiro has represented well-known athletes such as Darryl Strawberry, José Canseco, and Vince Coleman, as well as celebrities including Johnny Carson, Christian Brando, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Linda Lovelace, and the Kardashians.
In civil cases, Shapiro represents Steve Wynn and Wynn Resorts, Eva Longoria, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, RockStar Energy Drinks, and Diamond Resorts International.
How old is Robert Shapiro?
He is currently 81 years old.
What is Robert Shapiro’s net worth?
He is estimated to be worth $100 Million.
What is Robert Shapiro’s career?
In 1990, Shapiro embarked on his most notorious legal case yet: defending Erik Menendez, who had murdered his parents with his brother Lyle in 1989. When Lyle was caught, Shapiro negotiated for Erik’s surrender, who was at the time in Israel for a tennis event. Later, Shapiro represented Erik at their first arraignment. The defense was later turned up to Leslie Abramson, who represented Erik until the brothers were convicted in 1996.
Shapiro was already linked with O. J. Simpson and played a key part in the football star’s murder trial in 1994. He attended Robert Kardashian’s televised press conference, during which he urged Simpson to give himself into the authorities. Kardashian read a letter from Simpson at the conference, which Shapiro claimed was a suicide note. This led to Shapiro appealing to Simpson to surrender. Following the legendary Bronco chase later that day, Simpson surrendered to authorities with Shapiro’s assistance.
Early in the O. J. Simpson murder trial, Shapiro led the defense squad known as the “Dream Team,” which comprised attorneys Carl Douglas, Gerald Uelmen, Alan Dershowitz, Peter Neufeld, Barry Scheck, and Johnnie Cochran.
Shapiro handed up the leadership of the group to Cochran. Finally, the team was able to successfully defend Simpson against the allegations of murdering his wife Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman.
Despite the victorious verdict, Shapiro had harsh words for his colleague, attorney Cochran, whom he chastised for introducing race into the trial. Shapiro also lambasted F. Lee Bailey, referring to him as a wild cannon. Following the Simpson trial, Shapiro shifted his focus from criminal defense to civil litigation.
Aside from Menendez and Simpson, Shapiro represented a number of other prominent figures during his legal career. He has represented athletes such as José Canseco, Vince Coleman, and Darryl Strawberry, as well as celebrities like Linda Lovelace, Johnny Carson, Christian Brando, Eva Longoria, and Rob Kardashian. Shapiro’s corporate clients include Wynn Resorts, Rockstar, Diamond Resorts International, and Occidental Petroleum Corporation.
Shapiro, an author, has written several works about the law. One of his most well-known works was 1998’s “The Search for Justice: A Defense Attorney’s Brief on the O.J. Simpson Case.” In the book, Shapiro states that he does not believe Simpson was framed by the LAPD for racial purposes and believes the decision was correct due to reasonable doubt.
In addition to legal-themed adult novels, Shapiro invented the character Somo the Sober Monkey, who features in the anti-drug children’s book “Somo Says No.”
