A great lawyer is defined by someone with the skills, expertise and dedication necessary to make a difference in the legal industry. These lawyers have earned respect as leaders within their industry by becoming true trailblazers that set an excellent example.
He is widely respected for his expertise in securities class action cases and has represented high-profile clients such as Enron and Parmalat.
1. Richard Scruggs
Richard Scruggs was an iconic legal figure who left an indelible mark on our justice system. His bold approach to high-profile litigations and eccentric personality drew both admiration and controversy; while his unconventional methods in legal battles and unyielding spirit inspired a generation of lawyers to think outside of the box.
Scruggs was raised in a modest family and hails from Alabama. He attended Council Training High School in Huntsville before graduating with his Bachelor of Arts from American Baptist College in Nashville. Subsequently, he earned both Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Vanderbilt University School of Divinity as well as attending Mississippi Law School where Sigma Alpha Epsilon became part of his life.
Former Navy fighter pilot Edward R. Jones rose to fame during the 1990s after winning large settlements on behalf of workers exposed to asbestos at shipyards in Pascagoula, Mississippi. His fortunes skyrocketed when he represented plaintiffs in Mississippi’s iconic tobacco litigation case and secured a $248 billion settlement, becoming known as “King of Tort Law.”
Scruggs was successful at initiating mass actions against not-for-profit hospitals and welding industry employers, until forced into retirement by scandals and allegations. He was eventually charged with bribing a judge and served six years behind bars; during that time he managed to rediscover himself while still managing to hold onto his fortune; later that same year, Second Chance Mississippi charity was formed under his stewardship.
Scruggs remains one of the great lawyers of history despite his fall from grace, thanks to his groundbreaking achievements and tireless pursuit of justice for underdog clients or his eccentric personality; Scruggs serves as an example for all lawyers to push the limits of law without giving up, thus leaving his legacy for generations to come.
2. Clarence Darrow
Darrow was an American hero during an era of industrial revolution and progressive politics, known as “Attorney for the Damned.” His nearly century-long career saw him defend unpopular causes while taking on cases considered hopeless; courtroom appearances featuring his trademark rumpled suits and sharp cross-examinations had an air of dramatic theater.
Darrow was raised in rural Ohio, instilling both pessimism and fatalism but also an immense dedication to free thinkers and common people alike. After graduating law school, he relocated to Chicago and took on some of the most contentious cases of his day: helping protesters free radicals accused in Haymarket Riot; becoming corporate counsel for Chicago and North Western Railroad before leaving corporate law to defend Eugene V Debs (an American Railway Union leader arrested during Pullman strike of 1894); winning acquittals against numerous Western Federation of Miners members including their President William “Big Bill” Haywood among others.
Darrow became famous through his representation in the 1925 Scopes “Monkey Trial,” where he represented Tennessee teacher who violated state laws by teaching evolutionary theory against state regulations. The trial gained widespread public attention and made Darrow an instant household name. Following this famed case, he would go on to represent other high-profile cases such as advocating for women’s suffrage in late 1800s to representing two sons of privilege charged with killing an acquaintance for entertainment in 1924.
Farrell describes Darrow as a Byronic figure – passionate, charismatic and smart enough to use all these attributes to secure miraculous reprieves for his clients through charismatic oratory and rhetoric. Darrow brought theatricality and masterful rhetorical tactics to court, winning over jurors despite having little in common with them; his summation from Leopold and Loeb trial, spoken by Orson Welles for 1959 film Compulsion remains legendary for its elegance and persuasive power. Farrell sees Darrow as Byronic figure who used his passion, charismatic oratory flair, charm genius or passion to secure miraculous reprieves for his clients in court cases that would otherwise go down differently.
3. Joe Jamail
Mary Jo White stands out among the world’s best lawyers with her tireless devotion to upholding laws and seeking justice for victims of criminal activities, establishing herself as one of the finest legal minds worldwide. Mary Jo is known for her extensive understanding of both criminal law and legal matters generally; this makes her particularly prominent as she has played an instrumental role in cases involving international crimes like terrorism and fraud.
Jamail was raised as the son of immigrants during the Depression era and saw first-hand how people treated each other. His parents would always open up their home to those passing through town in need, and this compassion became engrained into his determination for social justice. Even though he failed his civil negligence exam in law school and barely passed the bar exam, he became famous for winning massive judgments despite this setback – in fact Newsweek even nicknamed him the “King of Torts.” He was surrounded by pictures of Willie Nelson and Darrell Royal – famous drinking buddies he would go on to represent – on shelves that covered virtually every surface in his Houston office, along with miniature Texaco tanker trucks and even an ornate crushed-velvet crown awarded by local judges as a reward for winning in 1973, when an electrician lost both hands due to an electrical box fault.
Jamail enjoyed an extraordinary career representing both political figures and corporate giants in complex litigation spanning from antitrust cases to patent infringement suits, earning recognition from The National Law Journal as Lawyer of the Year (2006) as well as being featured on American Bar Association lists of white-collar defense attorneys nationwide.
He defended CIA leaker Scooter Libby and prosecuted corrupt officials during the Iran-Contra Poindexter trials. Additionally, he earned recognition for his passionate advocacy on behalf of widow of an individual killed after being struck by city vehicle. For these outstanding services and achievements he received various honors and awards, such as National Trial Lawyers Top 100 List; The New York Times Leaders in Law List; Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award as well as setting a Guinness World Record as Longest Serving Television Arbitrator of Family Court cases
4. Willie E. Gary
Gary came from a low-income family but managed to become a successful lawyer through hard work and determination. His journey began after earning a football scholarship to Shaw University; once there he worked various commercial jobs before making up his mind to study law formally at North Carolina Central University before opening his own firm in Florida and becoming one of the state’s most successful lawyers.
Gary represented corporate giants in high-profile cases and achieved some of the largest jury awards and settlements ever seen in America, such as IBM, Coke, Microsoft, Time Warner and American Express. Additionally he represented victims of malpractice or wrongful death as well as representing them philanthropically or through motivational speaking engagements. Gary served on many professional organizations’ boards of trustees.
He is widely recognized for his outstanding legal work and has received national acclaim, being named America’s best lawyer numerous times over. Additionally, he is an acclaimed public speaker having addressed audiences in over 45 states as well as internationally.
Gary has long been celebrated for his success; however, some clients have accused him of engaging in fraudulent practices that defraud them out of millions. According to one 2013 lawsuit filed against Gary, they claim he and his team defrauded 42 women who filed gender bias lawsuits against Ford, Visteon, and Coke; these suits allege Gary defrauded them out of millions.
Gary has been accused of not only conspiring against his clients but also mishandling evidence in court cases. Critics have pointed to his extravagant lifestyle – wearing $3,000 Brioni suits during trials and amassing an impressive cigar collection worth $23.6 billion! Additionally, there have been allegations against him of lying to reporters during trials against big tobacco companies.
Are You Thinking About Becoming a Lawyer? Steps for Becoming One incepe with earning an undergraduate degree before enrolling in law school. After that, find a reputable law firm specializing in personal injury or medical malpractice law where you can intern as an intern and gain experience.