Robert Shapiro
Encyclopedia
Robert Leslie Shapiro is an American civil litigator and senior partner in the Los Angeles-based law firm Glaser Weil Fink Jacobs Howard Avchen & Shapiro, LLP. Shapiro is most recognized for being part of the defense team which successfully defended O.J. Simpson in 1995 from the charges that he murdered his ex-wife Nicole Brown
and Ronald Goldman
in 1994. Shortly after the O.J. Simpson trial, Shapiro steered his practice away from criminal defense toward the civil litigator arena.
, New Jersey
, United States
.
Shapiro graduated from UCLA
in 1965. He obtained his Juris Doctor
from Loyola Law School
in 1968.
Shapiro married Linell Thomas on March 8,1970 and have a son, Grant. Another son, Brent, was found dead by an apparent overdose of MDMA on 11 October 2005. The death of Brent Shapiro sparked the founding of "The Brent Shapiro Foundation", a non-profit organization with an aim to raise drug awareness, as well as Pickford Lofts, a rehabilitation facility.
, José Canseco
, and Vince Coleman, as well as other celebrities such as Johnny Carson
, Christian Brando
, Linda Lovelace
, and the Kardashians
. In 1998, Shapiro sued Strawberry over unpaid legal fees, which were eventually settled out of court.
Shapiro has been sued unsuccessfully by record producer Phil Spector
for refusing to return a US$1 million retainer for legal services. Spector decided to drop all alleged charges against Mr. Shapiro.
On 30 April 2007, Shapiro was the subject of an unpublished appellate opinion involving allegations that he improperly removed US$6 million in cash from the apartment of a client, in violation of a judge's order freezing the client's assets. The Court of Appeal held that Shapiro's law firm, Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs and Shapiro, could be held liable for his misconduct, even though Shapiro holds no equity interest in the firm and is not a true partner.
In civil matters, Shapiro represents actress Eva Longoria, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, RockStar, Diamond Resorts and Cadeau Express.
Shapiro is the author of three books, The Search for Justice, Misconception and also helped create a character in a children's book with an anti-drug theme. The book is made free of charge to schools.
.
Nicole Brown Simpson
Nicole Brown Simpson was a former wife of professional football player O. J. Simpson.- Relationship with O. J. Simpson :...
and Ronald Goldman
Ronald Goldman
Ronald Lyle "Ron" Goldman was an American waiter and an aspiring model. He was murdered along with Nicole Brown Simpson, former wife of O. J. Simpson, an actor and retired American football player. The subsequent criminal investigation and trial against O. J...
in 1994. Shortly after the O.J. Simpson trial, Shapiro steered his practice away from criminal defense toward the civil litigator arena.
Personal life
Shapiro was born in PlainfieldPlainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Shapiro graduated from UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
in 1965. He obtained his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Loyola Law School
Loyola Law School
Loyola Law School is the law school of Loyola Marymount University, a private Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions, in Los Angeles, California. Loyola was established in 1920. Like Loyola University Chicago School of Law and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law , it...
in 1968.
Shapiro married Linell Thomas on March 8,1970 and have a son, Grant. Another son, Brent, was found dead by an apparent overdose of MDMA on 11 October 2005. The death of Brent Shapiro sparked the founding of "The Brent Shapiro Foundation", a non-profit organization with an aim to raise drug awareness, as well as Pickford Lofts, a rehabilitation facility.
Career
Shapiro has represented famous athletes Darryl StrawberryDarryl Strawberry
Darryl Eugene Strawberry is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder who is well-known both for his play on the field and for his controversial behavior off it...
, José Canseco
José Canseco
José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
, and Vince Coleman, as well as other celebrities such as Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
, Christian Brando
Christian Brando
Christian Brando was the eldest child of actor Marlon Brando. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of the boyfriend of his half-sister Cheyenne. On May 16, 1990, Christian Brando had shot Dag Drollet to death at Marlon Brando's residence on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. He was...
, Linda Lovelace
Linda Lovelace
Linda Susan Boreman , better known by her stage name Linda Lovelace, was an American pornographic actress who was famous for her performance of deep throat fellatio in the enormously successful 1972 hardcore porn film Deep Throat...
, and the Kardashians
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Keeping Up with the Kardashians is an American reality television series that airs on E!. The series premiered in October 2007. It focuses on the personal and professional lives of the members of the Kardashian and Jenner family. There will be a 7th Season to premiere in 2012.As of September 2011,...
. In 1998, Shapiro sued Strawberry over unpaid legal fees, which were eventually settled out of court.
Shapiro has been sued unsuccessfully by record producer Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
for refusing to return a US$1 million retainer for legal services. Spector decided to drop all alleged charges against Mr. Shapiro.
On 30 April 2007, Shapiro was the subject of an unpublished appellate opinion involving allegations that he improperly removed US$6 million in cash from the apartment of a client, in violation of a judge's order freezing the client's assets. The Court of Appeal held that Shapiro's law firm, Glaser, Weil, Fink, Jacobs and Shapiro, could be held liable for his misconduct, even though Shapiro holds no equity interest in the firm and is not a true partner.
In civil matters, Shapiro represents actress Eva Longoria, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, RockStar, Diamond Resorts and Cadeau Express.
Shapiro is the author of three books, The Search for Justice, Misconception and also helped create a character in a children's book with an anti-drug theme. The book is made free of charge to schools.
Films & TV
Shapiro is known as a "celebrity" lawyer, and as such is a celebrity himself. He has appeared as himself (or as a lawyer resembling his real-life self) in a number of films and television shows, including the movie Havoc (2005)Havoc (film)
Havoc is a 2005 American film about the lives of wealthy Los Angeles, California teenagers whose exposure to hip hop culture inspires them to imitate the gangster lifestyle...
.