What is Robert Shapiro’s Net Worth?
Robert Shapiro is a wealthy American lawyer with a net worth of $100 million. In the 1990s, Robert Shapiro was best known for defending Erik Menendez and O. J. Simpson. As one of many attorneys representing the latter, he helped Simpson successfully defend himself against charges of murdering his ex-wife and her friend.
Shapiro later moved into civil litigation, co-founding the legal technology company LegalZoom and the online fashion subscription service Shoe Dazzle.
Shapiro’s practice shifted away from criminal defense and toward civil litigation shortly after the O.J. Simpson trial. Aside from Simpson, Shapiro has represented notable athletes such as Darryl Strawberry, José Canseco, and Vince Coleman, as well as celebrities such as Johnny Carson, Christian Brando, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Linda Lovelace, and the Kardashians. Robert Shapiro net worth
Shapiro represents Steve Wynn and Wynn Resorts in civil matters, as well as actor Eva Longoria, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Rock Star Energy Drinks, and Diamond Resorts International.
Early Life and Education
Robert Shapiro was born in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1942 to a Jewish family. He later relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he attended Hamilton High School before transferring to UCLA.
Shapiro earned his JD in 1968 after graduating from Loyola Marymount University’s Loyola Law School with a BS in finance. The following year, he was self-confessed to the State Bar of California. Robert Shapiro net worth
Erik Menendez
Shapiro took on his most infamous legal case yet in 1990, when he defended Erik Menendez, who had murdered his parents with his brother Lyle in 1989. When Lyle was apprehended, Shapiro arranged for Erik to surrender, who was in Israel for a tennis tournament at the time.
Shapiro later represented Erik at their first arraignment. Leslie Abramson eventually took over the defense, representing Erik until the brothers were convicted in 1996.
O.J. Simpson
Shapiro was already acquainted with O. J. Simpson and played an important role in the football star’s murder trial in 1994. He was present at Robert Kardashian’s televised press conference in which he urged Simpson to turn himself in to police.
During the conference, Kardashian read a letter from Simpson that Shapiro claimed was a suicide note. As a result, Shapiro begged Simpson to surrender. Following the famous Bronco chase later in the day, Simpson surrendered to police with the assistance of Shapiro.
Shapiro led the defense team recognized as the “Dream Team” early in the O. J. Simpson murder trial, which included attorneys such as Carl Douglas, Gerald Uelmen, Alan Dershowitz, Peter Neufeld, Barry Scheck, and Johnnie Cochran. Shapiro handed over leadership of the group to Cochran after initially leading it. Robert Shapiro net worth
Simpson was eventually able to successfully defend himself against the charges that he murdered his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. Despite the favorable verdict, Shapiro had harsh words for his colleague, attorney Cochran, whom he chastised for interjecting race into the proceedings.
Shapiro also slammed F. Lee Bailey, describing him as loose cannon. Following the Simpson trial, Shapiro’s practice shifted from criminal defense to civil litigation.
Other Clients
In addition to Menendez and Simpson, Shapiro has represented a number of other high-profile individuals during his legal career.
He has represented athletes José Canseco, Vince Coleman, and Darryl Strawberry, as well as he has represented celebrities Linda Lovelace, Johnny Carson, Christian Brando, Eva Longoria, and Rob Kardashian. Robert Shapiro net worth
Shapiro has represented Wynn Resorts, Rock star, Diamond Resorts International, and Occidental Petroleum Corporation in corporate matters.
Career as Author
Shapiro is a published author who has authored several legal books. In 1998, was one of his most widespread books. In the book, Shapiro expresses his belief that Simpson was not framed by the LAPD for racial reasons, and that the verdict was correct due to reasonable doubt.
Shapiro produced the character of Somo the Sober Monkey, who appears in the anti-drug children’s book “Somo Says No” in addition to legal-focused adult books. Robert Shapiro net worth
Business Endeavors
Shapiro co-founded LegalZoom, an online legal technology company, with Edward R. Hartman, Brian P. Y. Liu, and Brian S. Lee in 2001. The other men, who were relatively unknown at the time, decided to bring Shapiro into their operation in order to increase their credibility and profile.
LegalZoom works by assisting customers in creating legal documents without the assistance of a lawyer. It assists in the creation of documents such as living trusts, copyright registrations, wills, and trademark applications.
This effort to provide accessible and affordable legal services without involving traditional lawyers has been viewed as disruptive to the legal market.
Shapiro also co-founded the online fashion subscription service Shoe Dazzle in 2009, along with M.J. Eng., Kim Kardashian, and fellow LegalZoom co-founder Brian S. Lee. Every month, the company releases new collections of handbags, jewelry, and shoes, and members can browse a showroom tailored to their fashion preferences.
Between 2011 and 2012, Shoe Dazzle grew from three million to ten million members. It was purchased by rival online fashion subscription service JustFab in 2013, but it continues to operate as a separate brand. Robert Shapiro net worth
Personal Life and Charity
Shapiro married Linell Thomas in 1970, and they had two sons, Grant and Brent. In 2005, the latter child died of a drug overdose. In response, Shapiro established the Brent Shapiro Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing drug awareness.
Shapiro is the Foundation’s chairperson of the board, as well as the chair of Pickford Lofts, a rehabilitation facility. Robert Shapiro net worth
