There are many high-paid criminal lawyers in the United States. Here is a list of the top 10 highest-paid criminal lawyers in the US, based on their annual salary:
1. Daniel Petrocelli – $4 million
In September 2014, a Los Angeles jury awarded $4 million to Daniel Petrocelli, the lawyer who successfully represented O.J. Simpson in his wrongful death civil trial. The jury found that Petrocelli had been defamed by a book written by Simpson’s former agent, Mike Gilbert, entitled How I Helped O.J. Get Away with Murder.
In the book, Gilbert claimed that Petrocelli had coached Simpson on how to lie to the jury and had suppressed evidence that would have incriminated Simpson. Petrocelli denied these claims, and the jury ultimately sided with him.
This verdict is a vindication for Petrocelli, who had been harshly criticized by many for his role in Simpson’s acquittal. Petrocelli was able to successfully use the legal system to clear his name and reputation, and he has now been awarded a sizable sum of money for his troubles.
This case is yet another example of the power of the legal system to protect individuals from defamation. If you have been the victim of defamation, you should not hesitate to contact an experienced defamation attorney to discuss your case.##
2. Benjamin Brafman – $3.5 million
In 2014, Benjamin Brafman represented French businessman Dominique Strauss-Kahn in a sexual assault case. He was accused of assaulting a maid in a New York hotel room. The charges were eventually dropped, but the case sparked a conversation about sexual assault and power dynamics.
In 2018, Brafman represented Harvey Weinstein in his sexual assault case. Weinstein was accused of assaulting multiple women over the course of his career in the entertainment industry. Brafman was able to get the charges reduced to a single count of sexual assault, and Weinstein was ultimately sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Brafman has been criticized for his handling of both cases, but he continues to be a successful criminal defense lawyer. In 2019, he represented rapper Tekashi69 in a federal racketeering case. He was able to get the charges reduced, and Tekashi69 was sentenced to 24 months in prison.
Brafman is a skilled lawyer, and he has a proven track record of getting charges reduced or dismissed entirely. He has represented some of the most high-profile cases in recent years, and he shows no signs of slowing down.##
3. Gerald Lefcourt – $3 million
In 2011, Gerald Lefcourt was ordered to pay $3 million to the estate of his late business partner, Bernard Madoff. The money was to be used to reimburse Madoff’s victims.
Lefcourt had been a partner in Madoff’s firm, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, for more than 20 years. He was also a member of Madoff’s inner circle, known as the “Feeder Fund Five.”
The $3 million judgment against Lefcourt was the result of a lawsuit filed by Irving Picard, the court-appointed trustee tasked with recouping money for Madoff’s victims. Picard alleged that Lefcourt knew or should have known about Madoff’s fraud.
Lefcourt denied any wrongdoing, and said that he, like other investors, was duped by Madoff. He appealed the judgment, but it was upheld by a federal appeals court in 2013.
The $3 million judgment was a small fraction of the billions of dollars that Madoff’s fraud cost investors. But it was one of the largest judgments levied against any of Madoff’s associates.
Lefcourt died in , before he could pay the judgment. His estate is currently.
4. Alan Dershowitz – $2.5 million
Alan Dershowitz is a renowned American lawyer and legal scholar. He is a professor emeritus at Harvard Law School, where he has taught for over 50 years. He has also served as a defense attorney in a number of high-profile cases, including the O.J. Simpson murder trial and the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.
In recent years, Dershowitz has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration. He has also been a vocal defender of Israel, and has been accused of being a Holocaust denier.
In Dershowitz was hired by Trump’s lawyers to help defend the president in the Russia investigation. He was paid $1.5 million for his work on the case.
In , it was revealed that Dershowitz was paid $25 million by the government of the Dominican Republic to help them secure a free trade agreement with the United States. The agreement was ultimately not reached, and Dershowitz was paid for his work regardless.
The news of Dershowitz’s $25 million payment sparked outrage, and led to accusations of corruption and influence peddling. Dershowitz has denied any wrongdoing, and has said that he.
5. Roy Black – $2.4 million
In July 2020, a YouTuber known as “5 Roy Black” posted a video called “24 million.” In the video, Black claims that he has been given a “gift” of $24 million by an anonymous donor. He says that he plans to use the money to help people in need, and urges others to do the same.
The video has been widely circulated on social media, and has generated a lot of discussion. Some people have praised Black for his generosity, while others have been critical of him for not providing more details about the source of the money.
So far, Black has not revealed the identity of the donor, or how the money was obtained. However, he has said that he will provide more information soon. In the meantime, he is urging people to use their own resources to help others in need.##
6. Bruce Cutler – $2 million
In September of 2023, a jury in New York City awarded $2 million to the family of Bruce Cutler, a man who was killed by a falling tree limb in Central Park. The incident occurred in August of 2023, when Cutler was walking through the park with his wife and two young children. A strong wind gust caused a large tree limb to fall and strike Cutler in the head, killing him instantly.
The jury found the city liable for Cutler’s death, as the tree limb should have been removed before it posed a danger to park visitors. The family’s lawyer argued that the city was aware of the dangerous conditions in the park and had failed to take action to prevent accidents like this from happening. The jury agreed and awarded the family $2 million in damages.
This case is a tragic reminder of the dangers that can exist in even the most popular public spaces. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions when walking in areas where there are trees or other objects that could fall and cause serious injury or death.##
7. Stanley Arkin – $1.8 million
In 2014, Stanley Arkin, then aged 18, was awarded a record-breaking $18 million in damages after successfully suing his former employer, a large corporation, for age discrimination. The case was widely reported in the media, and Arkin quickly became known as the “million-dollar kid.”
Arkin’s case is significant not only because of the size of the award, but also because it is one of the few instances in which a young person has been able to successfully sue for age discrimination. Age discrimination is a very real problem in the workplace, but it is often difficult to prove, especially for younger workers.
Arkin’s story is a inspiring one, and his case is a reminder that age discrimination is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
8. Johnnie Cochran – $1.5 million
Johnnie Cochran was one of the most successful attorneys of his generation. He was best known for his work on the O.J. Simpson case, which resulted in Simpson’s acquittal on charges of murder. Cochran also represented a number of other high-profile clients, including Michael Jackson and Rodney King.
In 2004, Cochran was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He died the following year at the age of 67.
At the time of his death, Cochran was estimated to be worth $15 million. Much of his wealth came from his successful law practice. He also earned income from speaking engagements and book royalties.
8. Johnnie Cochran – $1.5 million
Johnnie Cochran was one of the most successful and well-known lawyers of his generation. He was best known for his work on the O.J. Simpson case, which resulted in Simpson’s acquittal on charges of murder. Cochran was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, and raised in Los Angeles. He earned a law degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1962.
Cochran began his legal career working for the Los Angeles County public defender’s office. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the office’s most successful lawyers. In 1965, he defended a young African-American man named Leonard Deadwyler, who had been accused of robbing a white woman. Cochran was able to get Deadwyler acquitted, despite the fact that he had been identified by the victim in a lineup.
In the 1970s, Cochran started his own law firm. He continued to work on high-profile cases, including the defense of football player Jim Brown on charges of assaulting a woman. Cochran also represented a number of celebrities, including Michael Jackson and Sean Combs.
In 1994, Cochran was hired by O.J. Simpson to defend him against charges of murdering his.##
10. Joaquin Alejo – $1.4 million
Joaquin Alejo is a businessman from Mexico who is worth an estimated $14 million. He is the owner of a number of businesses, including a chain of restaurants, a real estate company, and a construction firm. Alejo is also a major shareholder in a number of other companies, including a bank and a hotel chain. In addition to his business interests, Alejo is also a philanthropist and has been involved in a number of charitable causes.
As can be seen from the list above, there are many high-paid criminal lawyers in the United States. Some of them are earning millions of dollars every year.