Who holds the title of the wealthiest lawyer globally? The legal profession is among the highest-paying careers. Nevertheless, certain attorneys have accumulated wealth that is beyond the imagination of the average person. Lawyer Monthly explores some of the top richest lawyers in the world and the means by which they have generated their substantial fortunes.
Ancient world
Distinct legal systems began to take shape relatively early in human history; Ancient Egyptian law, which dates back to 3000 BC, was founded on the idea of Ma’at. It emphasized tradition, persuasive speech, social equality, and fairness. By the 22nd century BC, Ur-Nammu, a Sumerian king, created the first known law code with conditional statements (“if… then…”). Around 1760 BC, King Hammurabi advanced Babylonian law by writing it down on stone. He placed multiple copies of his law code, known as the Codex Hammurabi, throughout Babylon for everyone to see.
However, the emergence of significant legal professions is a more recent development. There is no evidence from ancient times to suggest the existence of a legal profession as we understand it today. The earliest recognized legal expert was the judge, who served in a part-time capacity. In small communities, the chief, prince, or king performed judicial functions as part of their broader political responsibilities. As their authority expanded, they began to delegate these functions, though not to legal specialists. During the secular phases of early legal systems, royal officials, who were generalists, assumed legal responsibilities.
In ancient Greco-Roman society, a new group of legal experts emerged, separate from judges, particularly in Rome between 200 BCE and 600 CE. Initially, both Greeks and Romans, as well as the German tribes that later invaded the Roman Empire, were skeptical about hiring legal specialists. They believed that citizens should know customary law and handle their own legal matters with help from family. However, as laws grew more complicated, influential public figures, mainly patricians, recognized the need for legal knowledge and some became known as experts.
Modern European law
Modern European law has two main traditions: the codified systems found in most of continental Europe and the English system, which relies on case law. During the 18th and 19th centuries, as nationalism increased, lex mercatoria was integrated into local laws through new civil codes. The French Napoleonic Code and the German Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch became particularly influential. Nowadays, there are indications that civil law and common law are starting to merge. European Union law is written in treaties but evolves through the precedents established by the European Court of Justice.
The modern legal professional, who makes a living from paid legal services, became more noticeable in the late Roman Empire. This was when the idea that a jurisconsult only received gifts was dropped, and fees were officially regulated. As trial methods and other legal changes evolved, the role of the jurisconsult faded away. The orator, now needing legal training, transformed into the advocate. The procurator, a lower-level legal agent in the classical system who managed the formal parts of legal cases, gained more importance because later imperial legal processes relied heavily on the written documents created by procurators.
Fast forward to 2024 and identifying the wealthiest lawyer globally may appear to be a straightforward inquiry at first glance. However, the answer varies significantly based on the viewpoint one adopts. Certain lawyers among the wealthiest have amassed their fortunes through entrepreneurial endeavors alongside their legal practices, while others have primarily built their wealth through successful litigation on behalf of their clients. In this discussion, we will explore some of the world’s richest lawyers and examine the methods through which they have achieved their financial success.
These lawyers make the highest big law salaries look small.
These lawyers surpass the highest big law salaries. I thought it would be interesting to explore the wealthiest lawyers globally. We’re looking at those with a net worth of at least ten million dollars. How did they achieve such wealth? Many well-known figures, such as Judge Judy and legal analyst Alan Dershowitz, frequently appear on television and provide regular insights. They have handled a wide range of cases, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Throughout their long careers, they have built substantial wealth and remain leaders in their fields due to their hard work and innovative approaches.
Without further ado, here’s the current list of the top 9 wealthiest, practicing lawyers*:
Wichai Thongtang
1. Wichai Thongtang
Net Worth: Approximately $2 billion
Background: A Thai lawyer, Wichai Thongtang is known for his involvement in high-profile cases and his role in representing Thailand’s former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. He amassed his wealth through smart investments, particularly in the healthcare and telecommunications sectors.
2. Charlie Munger
Net Worth: Approximately $2.7 billion
Background: While primarily known as Warren Buffett’s business partner and the vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Munger is also a Harvard Law School graduate and practiced law before moving into investment. His wealth primarily comes from his investment activities rather than legal practice.
3. Bill Neukom
Net Worth: Estimated at $850 million
Background: Bill Neukom served as the general counsel for Microsoft for nearly 25 years and played a key role in the company’s legal battles and intellectual property management. He later became the CEO of the San Francisco Giants, contributing to his substantial wealth.
4. Robert Shapiro
Net Worth: Approximately $120 million
Background: Robert Shapiro is best known as a member of O.J. Simpson’s defense team. He co-founded the LegalZoom online legal services company, which significantly contributed to his wealth. Shapiro’s legal career and business ventures have made him one of the wealthiest lawyers in the U.S.
5. Willie E. Gary
Net Worth: Approximately $200 million
Background: Known as the “Giant Killer” for his success in winning massive settlements and verdicts against major corporations, Willie E. Gary has made his fortune as a trial lawyer specializing in personal injury and product liability cases.
6. Roy Black
Net Worth: Approximately $100 million
Background: Roy Black is a well-known American criminal defense attorney who has represented high-profile clients, including William Kennedy Smith and Rush Limbaugh. His success in the legal field and various business ventures have contributed to his wealth.
7. Judith Sheindlin (Judge Judy)
Net Worth: Approximately $440 million
Background: While not a practicing lawyer, Judith Sheindlin, better known as “Judge Judy,” made her fortune as a television personality and judge. Her successful TV show has made her one of the wealthiest individuals with a legal background.
8. Richard Scruggs
Net Worth: Approximately $150 million (before legal troubles)*
Background: Richard “Dickie” Scruggs was a successful trial lawyer known for his role in tobacco litigation and asbestos cases. His fortune came from winning large settlements, though his later legal troubles, including a conviction for judicial bribery, significantly impacted his career and finances.
9. Joe Jamail
Net Worth: Approximately $1.7 billion (at the time of his death in 2015)*
Background: Known as the “King of Torts,” Joe Jamail was one of the most successful and wealthiest trial lawyers in the United States. He gained his wealth primarily through winning enormous settlements in personal injury and commercial cases.
These lawyers have leveraged their legal expertise, business acumen, and strategic investments to build significant fortunes, making them some of the wealthiest in the profession.