Robert Shapiro: Legal Legend
Robert Shapiro, senior partner at The Law Firm of Robert Shapiro & Associates, is as much a legal legend as he is the quintessential Los Angeles attorney. He has handled a myriad of high-profile criminal cases, as well as high-profile civil cases for individuals and large corporations. He has represented everyone from celebrities to a former United States Secretary of State.
Shapiro is perhaps most famous for being part of the O.J. Simpson criminal defense team that successfully defended the former NFL football star and Brown Simpson’s family friend against two counts of murder. This case received international attention and helped transform Shapiro into a celebrity in his own right. Since then, Shapiro has gone on to become one of the most recognized television commentators in the legal profession and still serves as a legal consultant on a number of other legal cases.
Shapiro is also the author of a number of legal publications, including the book "Lost Paradise , " a legal thriller that he co-wrote with Daniel Paisner. He has authored other books on legal topics, including criminal law and civil liability.
In addition to his role as a writer, Shapiro has made several high-profile media appearances throughout his career, both before and after the successful defense in the Simpson case. In the years to follow, he became a household name with frequent appearances as a legal consultant for news outlets such as CNN, HLN and Fox News Channel, as well as the host of his own law-related television program, "Shapiro Law."
Despite his fame as an infrequently seen television legal analyst, Shapiro understands the value of having an experienced legal team. His firm, The Law Firm of Robert Shapiro & Associates, is rooted in the values and practices that have helped him achieve so much success: integrity, professionalism, compassion and results. He credits his legal team with much of the success he has had and believes that a dedicated and knowledgeable staff is ultimately the foundation on which a successful law firm is built.
The Backbone Of The Shapiro Law Firm
The foundation of the Shapiro Law Firm began with Robert Shapiro’s legal training. In 1965, as a recent California State University, Los Angeles graduate, he decided to attend law school at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California. During his first semester, Mr. Shapiro decided to specialize in trial advocacy; however his entrance into the area of criminal law was purely by chance. As fate would have it, Mr. Shapiro’s initial exposure to the practice of law was as an extern at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office; an experience that would ultimately propel him to the position he would soon secure as trial assistant to California Public Defender, Francis Wellman. This position would offer Mr. Wellman’s expertise and insight into criminal law, and lay the groundwork for him to embark on his career as a trial attorney. In 1969, Mr. Shapiro began working as a trial attorney for Southern California Edison, the California utility company, where he was appointed counsel for the company in a long-standing class action lawsuit. Mr. Shapiro’s representation of Edison in this class action lawsuit further fueled his desire to practice law. In 1976, Mr. Shapiro established the Law Offices of Robert Shapiro, which was the foundation of the Shapiro Family Law Center. When Mr. Shapiro established the Law Offices of Robert Shapiro, his mission was to provide sound solutions, exceptional service and positive results for every client. To this day, Mr. Shapiro’s law firm has been the foundation of all the success he has come to acquire as a practicing attorney. His mission statement continues to be the model of care and consideration for his clients. His years of experience are immeasurable; his compassion has always been considerate and kind.
Major Practice Focuses
Robert Shapiro’s law firm employs the latest technologies and a wealth of experience to serve a wide range of legal needs. With more than 40 years of experience, their team has represented some of the most high-profile clients in the world.
The firm focuses primarily on plaintiffs’ personal injury, but the scope of its work is extensive. It successfully represents clients in the following practice areas: Plaintiffs’ Personal Injury: The firm has advocated for clients injured in all types of personal injury accidents, from motor vehicle collisions to slip and falls. For more than 40 years, the firm has been known as one of the best plaintiff law firms in Los Angeles.
Defective Product: The firm has represented clients harmed by the negligence of designers, manufacturers and sellers of consumer products. It is highly skilled in product liability cases, and the team is dedicated to helping clients obtain justice.
Medical Malpractice: The firm has successfully recovered millions for clients harmed by medical malpractice in Los Angeles and throughout California. Their attorneys have a proven track record of delivering positive outcomes in medical malpractice cases, and will advocate aggressively on your behalf.
Murder/Attempted Murder: The firm has represented clients in murder trials since 1995, when the firm was founded by international criminal lawyer Robert Shapiro. The firm will work diligently for clients facing attempted murder and murder allegations.
Civil Wrongful Death: The firm has extensive experience representing families in civil wrongful death cases, and a proven history of obtaining settlements and verdicts in their favor.
Prominent Cases And Major Clients
Among the high-profile cases and clients associated with Robert Shapiro’s law firm are the infamous O.J. Simpson murder trial, during which he represented Robert Kardashian, close to Mr. Kardashian who is now deceased. Even though Mr. Shapiro did not represent O.J. Simpson personally, his firm was able to involve itself in that case throughout the course of the civil trials as well as being involved in the high profile criminal trial of O.J. Simpson.
In addition, the firm recently defended two members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club against charges related to drug smuggling, where Mr. Shapiro has applied his expertise in criminal defense. His other well-known clients have included Richard Nixon friend and advisor H.R.Haldeman, General Motors Chairman of the Board Roger Smith, music legend Frank Sinatra, and J. Dennis Hastert, the former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
Innovations And Strategies
The law firm of Robert Shapiro is a cutting-edge practice that has incorporated the latest advancements in technology and legal strategies to provide their clients with the best representation possible. The firm has utilized state-of-the-art case management software that allows for seamless tracking of all client communications, court filings, and legal research. This technology enables their attorneys to have all relevant information readily available, which helps them craft winning legal strategies and stay one step ahead of the opposition.
In addition to their cutting-edge case management system, the firm has also implemented innovative strategies for working with clients. For example, the firm has incorporated video conferencing technology into their practice . This allows their attorneys to have face-to-face consultations with clients who may not be able to come into the office due to distance or mobility issues. The firm has also implemented a secure client portal system that allows clients to access important legal documents and communicate with their attorneys at their convenience.
These innovative systems and strategies not only make the firm’s attorneys more efficient, but they also provide a higher level of service to their clients. The firm understands that legal issues can often be emotionally and financially taxing, and they strive to make the process as easy and straightforward as possible. By leveraging the latest technology and cutting-edge strategies, the firm provides their clients with the best possible legal representation.
Community Engagement And Charitable Work
Robert Shapiro’s law firm is dedicated to the betterment of their community. As such, they have engaged in a variety of philanthropic initiatives and regularly participate in pro bono work. The firm has supported a number of causes, including charities that support education, minorities, and sports. As proud sponsors of a youth basketball program, they are helping to instill a strong work ethic in a new generation of young people. Shapiro and his team dedicate their time to mentoring the youth of Los Angeles. Mr. Shapiro has contributed to organizations like Toys for Tots and Mending Kids, both of which focus on bringing smiles to the faces of needy children across the world.
Testimonials And Reputation
Across the board, Robert Shapiro and his entire legal team have built and maintained a sterling reputation throughout the 50 plus years that he has been active in the business. Clients regularly rave about his no-nonsense attitude and successful outcomes. Legal colleagues speak of him in awe of his high standards of integrity and outstanding case results. It is not common for any lawyer to maintain such a constant level of respect and reverence.
Rick Yohn, a former law partner with Robert Shapiro in Shapiro, Lazarus & Simons, calls him "an exceptional lawyer and a man of great integrity."
Successful criminal defense attorney Sharon Afolyan states that he is "a true superstar," and notes that she has come to him and his staff for help on difficult cases for many years, and says "it has always been a rewarding and educational experience." And Jeffrey Neiman, another criminal defense attorney and the owner of Crime & Forfeiture Law Firm, states that "Bob has one of those magnetic personalities, that some people have, that just draws you in. He’s friendly, warm, engaging. He makes you feel good when you are around him."
Dan Webb, the founder of Winston & Strawn and one of the country’s leading trial lawyers calls him "a truly wonderful person and a great lawyer."
Partnering with Bob in the courtroom or at a trial is an "awesome experience , " according to Los Angeles attorney David Diamond, who considers him the best co-counsel one could hope for. And if you happen to lose a case under his auspices, that loss will never be forgotten. Reflecting on one joint corporate law case, Diamond recalls being worried that he’d be ostracized for working with someone with Shapiro’s infamous reputation. "I told Bob, ‘you know they’re going to never let me in this bar again if they find out – I’m going to be looked at harshly.’ He said, ‘you know what? F’em. I’m going to go in there and save that son-of-a-bitch.’"
Another Diamond memory: Robert Shapiro’s appearance with the O.J. Simpson defense team at a criminal trial in the late 1990s, when O.J. first made a bid for a reduced sentence for his robbery conviction. The case’s prosecution team was Diamond, Christopher Darden, and Marcia Clark.
Diamond recalls that the observers in the room were stunned at how pleasant the relationship was, the absence of tension or posturing. "Bob is always one of the brightest people in the room, and so capable, so smart, but he was just so nice. No one could believe he was there, and he was so nice," Diamond recalls.