Media Article: 8 of the richest lawyers in the world – net worths, ranked, from Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s former running mate Nicole Shanahan to Microsoft’s Bill Neukom

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  • Nicole Shanahan’s marriage and hefty divorce settlement from Google co-founder Sergey Brin turned her into a billionaire, while both William Lerach and Richard Scruggs were later disbarred
  • Jerry Reinsdorf owns MLB’s Chicago White Sox and NBA’s Chicago Bulls – the latter he bought in 1985 for US$9.2 million, a year after Michael Jordan joined … but just how rich is he?

Lawyers are globally known for charging exorbitant fees – but how rich are some of the most successful, controversial and famous among them really? From Hollywood celebrity lawyers and a Southeast Asian mogul, to legal legends who have since been disbarred, some of the world’s richest lawyers could give Tinseltown and Silicon Valley a run for their money. We take a closer look at their wealth, with the help of Celebrity Net Worth, Forbes and other sources.

8. Robert Shapiro, 81

Estimated net worth: US$100 million

Robert Shapiro, who was on O.J. Simpson’s legal team in 1999. Photo: AP

Celebrity lawyer Robert Shapiro is best known for being a member of O.J. Simpson’s team of lawyers alongside Robert Kardashian, which successfully defended him when he was charged with the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. He later represented Rob Kardashian in the 2017 revenge porn case against Blac Chyna.

Shapiro is also a successful entrepreneur who co-founded ShoeDazzle, LegalZoom and RightCounsel.com.

7. Judge Judy, 81

Estimated net worth: US$440 million

Judge Judy Sheindlin during a filming session in her courtroom. Photo: @judyjustice/Instagram

One of the legal world’s most famous faces, American lawyer Judy Sheindlin is best known for TV series Judge Judy, which ran for 25 seasons from 1996 to 2021. This led to Judge Judy becoming the longest-serving arbitrator in television history. She’s also one of the wealthiest, earning US$47 million annually towards the end of its run, per The Guardian. In 2019, she was awarded the Emmy Award for lifetime achievement at the 46th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards for her career-long contributions to the television industry.

6. Bill Neukom, 82

Estimated net worth: US$850 million

Bill Neukom is known for his roles with Microsoft and, later, as CEO of the San Francisco Giants. Photo: Getty Images

Bill Neukom made his fortune as the lead lawyer for the Microsoft Corporation for almost 25 years, overseeing the company’s legal, government and philanthropic affairs. He also dipped his toes into sports as the CEO of the San Francisco Giants baseball team between 2008 and 2011.

5. William Lerach, 78

Estimated net worth: US$900 million

William Lerach won a huge class-action lawsuit against Enron, but was later disbarred. Photo: Reuters

Known as a “ferocious litigator” and “Dragonslayer” according to San Diego University, William Lerach won US$7.2 billion as the lead plaintiff’s lawyer in a case against energy company Enron – the largest class-action securities settlement in US history.

He landed in hot water in 2007 when he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and was sentenced to two years in prison, per LA Times. He was later disbarred in 2009.

4. Nicole Shanahan, 38

Estimated net worth: US$1 billion

Nicole Shanahan was Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s running mate for his independent presidential bid before he suspended his campaign. Photo: AP

As a lawyer and politician who was named as Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s vice presidential running mate for his 2024 presidential campaign – before he suspended it last month and backed Donald Trump – Nicole Shanahan has indeed done well for herself. It was her marriage and hefty divorce settlement from Google co-founder Sergey Brin that turned Shanahan into a billionaire, per Business Insider.

3. Richard Scruggs, 78

Estimated net worth: US$1.7 billion

Richard Scruggs was later sentenced to jail for bribery. Photo: @DickScruggs/X

Richard Scruggs, better known as Dickie, made a name for himself after successfully taking legal action against the asbestos industry on behalf of sick shipyard workers. However, his legal career came to an abrupt end in 2007 when he pled guilty in a bribery scheme, for which he was sentenced to five years in prison, per NBC.

2. Wichai Thongtang, 77

Estimated net worth: US$1.8 billion

Thai lawyer Wichai Thongtang is also a hospital operator investor. Photo: @officialmisterglobal/Instagram

Thai corporate lawyer Wichai Thongtang once served high-profile clients like former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. These days, he’s an investor who’s made a fortune from his minority stake in Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, per Forbes.

1. Jerry Reinsdorf, 88

Estimated net worth: US$2 billion

Jerry Reinsdorf is now known for the sports teams he owns as much as his legal career. Photo: @nba/Instagram

Jerry Reinsdorf made a fortune during his legal career, but he’s best known as a professional sports owner of MLB’s Chicago White Sox and NBA’s Chicago Bulls, heading up both teams for over 35 years. Alongside other investors, Reinsdorf bought a controlling stake in the NBA’s Chicago Bulls for US$9.2 million in 1985, a year after Michael Jordan joined, per Forbes.
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