Overview
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. 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. 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.
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 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.
Results
Robert's notable experience includes the representation of:
- Wynn Resorts Ltd and the Wynn Resorts Board of Directors in the removal of their largest shareholder encompassing 5 years of litigation.
- Rockstar, Inc., as lead counsel in Rockstar v. Pepsi, a dispute involving energy drinks, in which Robert successfully negotiated the extension of a distribution contract for his client.
- The president of Mobil Oil in proceedings arising out of a refinery explosion that resulted in the dismissal of all claims and restoration of his client’s reputation.
- Ecology Control Industries in a favorable settlement of a wage and hours class action.
- Diamond Resorts in numerous corporate and litigation matters involving its vacation, time share and hospitality businesses.
- Occidental Petroleum in the defense of 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.
- Various clients in obtaining record-setting personal injury settlements against Lyft and Air Tahiti Nui, and a million-dollar settlement against Delta Air Lines.
- John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of the Patrón Spirits Company, in litigation over the company’s ownership.
- Zhang Hongbao, the Chinese activist who founded the Zhong Gong spiritual movement with 34 million followers. After Zhang had spent 16 months in jail, Robert secured his release within two months of being retained.
- Amdi Petersen, the founder of a prominent Denmark-based alternative school system, in extradition proceedings.
- AlliedWallet, Inc., in action brought by the FTC, settling the matter for less than 10% of the amount sought.
- Defendants-appellees in United States v. Samango, 450 F.Supp. 1097 (D.Hi. 1978), winning a dismissal of all charges against his client.
Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, "A reflection on highlights throughout his career," Government Legal Service of Northern Ireland (GLSNI) Conference 2022, November 17, 2022.
Keynote Speaker, World YPO, Greece.
Keynote Speaker, Martin Luther King Memorial, April 4, Memphis, TN.
Keynote Address, Yale Political Union.
Keynote Speaker, DSBA Speaker Series, Loyola Law School.
Speaker, Student Body Address, Stanford University.
Speaker, Student Body Address, UCLA.
Speaker, Student Body Address, University of Michigan.
Keynote Speaker, "Bringing the Legal Field into the 21st Century," ChainXChange Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
Speaker, "Defending the Drunk Driving Charge in California," Professional Education Systems Seminar for Attorneys, San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA.
Speaker, "The Nuts and Bolts of DWI," University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
Thought Leadership
“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
Awards and Recognition
Awards and Recognition
“500 Leading Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2022-25
“The Lawdragon Hall of Fame - Litigators,” Lawdragon, 2023
“The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America,” National Law Journal
“Top 100 Trial Lawyers” and “Top 100 Civil Plaintiffs," The National Trial Lawyer
“Litigation Star” (US-National, California), Benchmark Litigation, multiple years
Best Attorneys of America, 1993
“Nation's Top 100 Attorneys,” National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Founding Member
“Top 100 Litigation Lawyer in the State of California,” The American Society of Legal Advocates
“Premier 100 Trial Attorney,” National Academy of Jurisprudence (fka American Academy of Trial Attorneys)
“50 Inspirational Alumni,” Loyola Law School
Southern California Super Lawyers, recognized for 35 years since its inception
Pro-Bono Lawyer of the Year by the State of Nevada, 2008
Author of one of the ten best legal articles of the 1990s, honored by the California State Bar Journal
Board recipient of Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in their chosen fields, The Marquis Who’s Who Publications
Excellence in Civil Litigation, Lawyers of Distinction
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 (2024 Client Champion)
Related links
Leadership and Community
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Founder, The Brent Shapiro Foundation
Founder, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
Member, Supreme Court Historical Society
Services
Education
Loyola Law School, J.D.
University of California, Los Angeles, B.S., Finance
Admissions
- California
