From ancient Rome’s orators such as Demosthenes and Cicero to modern-day lawyers such as Alan Dershowitz and Robert Kardashian, there are many prominent individuals who have influenced the legal profession.
In this article, we’ll look at prominent individuals who have made a significant impact on the legal profession in the US.
Abraham Lincoln
Although the nickname “Honest Abe” is commonly used for former President Abraham Lincoln, it’s not widely known that he served as a sole counsel in 51 of the cases he handled as a Supreme Court lawyer in Illinois. During his time working on the court, he appeared in front of the judges 175 times. Out of these 51 cases, 32 of them were judged in his favor, which highlighted his legal skills.
Although Lincoln would later become the 16th president of the US, his record in the courtroom still stands. He was able to secure the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the Union.
One of his most famous cases was the case of William Armstrong, who was facing a murder trial. Through his legal skills, Lincoln was able to successfully defend his client. He used numerous witnesses and undeniable exhibits to overturn the case and free the wrongfully accused.
Robert Shapiro
Robert Shapiro was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on September 2, 1942. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from various universities. He distinguished himself from his peers at Loyola Law School by winning multiple awards and honors. He was also able to participate in the school’s moot court competition.
After serving as a judge for a couple of years, he was eventually named the chief justice of the Supreme Court. His time as a judge helped prepare him for his future career in the legal profession.
He became a member of the California State Bar during the 1960s. One of his most prominent cases was the case of former football star and actor OJ Simpson, who was charged with killing. Under his leadership, a group of lawyers was able to successfully defend him.
Mary Jo White
One of the most prominent lawyers in the country, Mary Jo White, is regarded as a great lawyer due to her ability to put out impressive cases. She was also named as one of Forbes’ most powerful women in 2014.
In addition to being a great lawyer, Mary Jo White is also a noteworthy individual who made history as the first female US attorney in New York. During her time as the head of the Southern District of New York, she was able to successfully prosecute some of the most prominent cases, such as the John Gotti case.
Although she is often overshadowed by other prominent individuals, Mary Jo White was instrumental in successfully prosecuting Wall Street firms that committed white-collar crimes. As a result, she issued a fine of $340 million against a Japanese bank for violating its trading rules.
She was also able to achieve another remarkable achievement when she was appointed as the 31st chairman of the Securities & Exchange Commission by President Barack Obama in 2013.