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Internationally renowned litigator Robert Shapiro is a senior name partner at Glaser Weil and was named one of the 100 most influential attorneys in America by the prestigious National Law Journal. He has consistently been named to Southern California Super Lawyers, has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, and is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell.
Robert’s business and personal clients rely on his expertise in complex business litigation, class actions representing both plaintiffs and defendants, international law, white collar defense, SEC enforcement, and Foreign Corrupt Practice litigation. His corporate clients include multinational companies and major hotels. Well-known business figures and industry leaders such as Sumner Redstone, Kirk Kerkorian, Steve Wynn, Berry Gordy, Ray Irani of Occidental Petroleum, Scott Minerd of Guggenheim Investments, and Stephen Cloobeck of Diamond Resorts, International, have sought his counsel. He also represents sports figures, entertainers, and celebrities such as Oscar de la Hoya, Darryl Strawberry, Jose Conseco, George Brett, Ricky Henderson, Robert Downey Jr., Charlie Sheen, Billy Preston, Chaka Kahn, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Rod Stewart, Lamar Odom, Rob Kardashian, Smokey Robinson, Robert Evans, Evan Ross, Eva Longoria, and David Lee Roth.
Robert’s transition to civil litigation from criminal defense in high profile cases such as those involving O.J. Simpson, Christian Brando, and F. Lee Bailey has given him a unique and extensive trial background. He successfully represented Wynn Resorts Ltd and the Wynn Resorts Board of Directors in the removal of their largest shareholder encompassing 5 years of litigation. He was lead counsel in Rockstar v. Pepsi, a contract dispute involving energy drinks, and successfully negotiated the extension of a distribution contract for his client. His successful representation of the president of Mobil Oil in proceedings arising out of a refinery explosion resulted in the dismissal of all claims and restoration of his client’s reputation. His vigorous representation of Ecology Control Industries resulted a favorable settlement of a wage and hours class action. Diamond Resorts has relied on his expertise for numerous corporate and litigation matters involving its vacation, time share, and hospitality businesses. He also successfully defended Occidental Petroleum in a lawsuit brought in Los Angeles by Colombian residents arising out of the bombing in Colombia by the Colombian air force which killed 17 people. He acted as lead defense counsel in United States v. Samango, 450 F.Supp. 1097 (D.Hi. 1978), winning a dismissal of all charges against his client. On appeal, Robert secured Ninth Circuit's affirmance of the dismissal in a published opinion which is the leading decision in the Ninth Circuit on grand jury misconduct. United States v. Samango, 607 F.2d 877 (9th Cir. 1979).
Robert received his undergraduate degree in finance from the UCLA Anderson Business School. He was a member of the UCLA board of governors and numerous honor societies. He received his law degree from Loyola Law School, where he received two American Jurisprudence awards, won the Scott Moot Court Competition, and was the Chief Justice of the Moot Court, as well as the president of the Loyola chapter of the legal society, Phi Alpha Delta.
Robert is admitted to all state and federal courts in California, and has been admitted pro hac vice in many state and federal courts including those of Nevada, Massachusetts, New York, Arizona, Washington DC and Oregon.
CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Robert has been married for 50 years to his wife, Linell, and has a son, Grant. His other son, Brent, died of chemical dependency disease in 2005, prompting Robert to found The Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Prevention, a nonprofit organization created to raise drug and alcohol awareness His afterschool drug prevention program, Brent’s Club, currently has more than 20 afterschool facilities nationwide in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of America. Serving more than 5,000 underserved children from ages 11 to 18, the rewards-based program has nearly a 100% success rate in random testing for substance abuse. Sober high school graduates are eligible for college scholarships.
ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITIES
Robert has co-founded LegalZoom.com, ShoeDazzle, RightCounsel.com, and BizCounsel.com. His business background allows him to better understand the needs of his business clients.
PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA ACTIVITIES
Robert is a frequent contributor to CNN, FOX NEWS, MSNBC and has appeared on cable and network news channels as a legal expert. He has written numerous Op-Ed pieces and law review articles, as well as the best-selling book “The Search for Justice,” about the O.J. Simpson case, and “Misconceptions,” a novel. He also wrote a children’s book, “Somo Says No,” about the dangers of drug use, which is available free-of-charge to schools across the country.
Obtained record-setting personal injury settlements against Lyft and Air Tahiti Nui, and a million dollar settlement against Delta Air Lines
Successfully represented John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of the Patrón Spirits Company, in litigation over the company’s ownership.
Represented Zhang Hongbao, the Chinese activist who founded the Zhong Gong spiritual movement with 34 million followers. After Zhang had spent 16 months in jail, Mr. Shapiro secured his release within two months of being retained.
Represented Amdi Petersen, the founder of Denmark-based alternative school system Tvind (also called the Teacher’s Group), in extradition proceedings.
Represented AlliedWallet, Inc. in action brought by the FTC, settling the matter for less than 10% of the amount sought.
Acted as lead defense counsel in United States v. Samango, 450 F.Supp. 1097 (D.Hi. 1978), winning a dismissal of all charges against his client.
American Bar Foundation, Fellow
Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, Founder
Televised Interviewed on Sam Bankman-Fried Case, Fox Business, November 2, 2023
Televised Interviewed on Alex Murdaugh Case, Fox Business, March 2, 2023
Televised Interviewed on Alec Baldwin Case, Fox Business, January 19, 2023
Glaser Weil Named One of 2012 Top Ranked Law Firms by Fortune Magazine
“Judge Rules for Wynn in Ousted Investor’s Challenge,” by Alexandra Berzon, Wall Street Journal MarketWatch, October 2, 2012
“Update 2-Judge won’t block redemption of Okada’s Wynn Stake,” by Sue Zeidler, Reuters, October 2, 2012
“Okada Loses Bid to Vote Wynn Resorts Shares at Meeting,” by Edvard Pettersson, Bloomberg Businessweek, October 2, 2012
“O.J. Simpson ‘dream team’ lawyer Robert Shapiro representing Wynn in fight with director,” by Steve Green, VegasInc.com, January 30, 2012
"The Lawdragon Hall of Fame - Litigators," Lawdragon, 2023
500 Leading Lawyers in America, Lawdragon, 2023
500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon, 2022, 2024
Selected as one of "The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America," National Law Journal
Named one of the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” and “Top 100 Civil Plaintiffs," The National Trial Lawyer
"Litigation Star" (US-National, California), Benchmark Litigation, multiple years
Selected by Best Attorneys of America, 1993
Ranked as one of the “Nation's Top 100 Attorneys,” National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Founding Member
Designated a “Top 100 Litigation Lawyer in the State of California,” The American Society of Legal Advocates
Awarded “Premier 100 Trial Attorney,” National Academy of Jurisprudence, formerly known as the American Academy of Trial Attorneys
Named one of “50 Inspirational Alumni” Loyola Law School
Southern California Super Lawyers, multiple years
Awarded top Avvo rating, 2021
Pro-Bono Lawyer of the Year by the State of Nevada, 2008
Honored by the California State Bar Journal for authoring one of the ten best legal articles of the 1990’s
The Marquis Who’s Who Publications Board recipient of Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in their chosen fields
National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Nation’s Top 100 Attorneys
Lawyers of Distinction, Recognizing Excellence in Civil Litigation
Distinguished Justice Advocates, recognition of the highest standards of legal excellence, lifetime charter member
Best Attorney, Lifetime Charter Member
Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year, Century City Bar Association
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rated
“Lawyers Get $35,000 an Hour — and Shareholders Foot the Bill,” HuffPost Crime
"Hurdles in Securities Fraud Litigation: An Overview," co-authored with Janet S. McCloud, Securities Litigation Report
“In Blake Versus Peterson, Difference Was Defense Strategy,” Los Angeles Daily Journal Forum
“What if a juror’s motive is a lucrative book deal?” San Jose Mercury News
“The Basic Rules of White-Collar Defense,” Wall Street Journal
“For the Defense”, Loyola Law Review
“Justice in America”, Loyola Law Review
“On Second Thought”, California Lawyer Magazine
“Using the Media to Your Advantage”, The Champion
“How Did Michael Jackson’s Defense Team Dismantle the Prosecution’s Case?", California Attorneys for Criminal Justice Forum
“The Lawyer of the Century: Robert Shapiro,” by Mary Waldron, LawCrossing
“When the Press Calls – A Lawyer’s View”, Meet the Press, California Litigation, State Bar of California
“Innocent Until Proven Ratings”, LA Confidential
“In Casey Anthony’s case, The Law Worked”, Los Angeles Times
“Keeping an Eye on White Collar Fraud Investigations”, chapter in Aspatore Books, Inside the Minds: White Collar Fraud Investigations