Robert L. Shapiro

Internationally-renowned litigator Robert Shapiro is a senior partner at Los Angeles-based Glaser Weil Fink Jacobs Howard Avchen & Shapiro, LLP. He has represented a number of high-profile corporations, including Rockstar Energy Drink, Diamond Resorts International, Steve Wynn and Wynn Resorts Ltd, Cadeau Express, as well as many celebrity clients.

Mr. Shapiro has a reputation for being a zealous advocate for his clients. His success in trying cases has allowed him to negotiate settlements and bring resolution without going to trial. His abstract imagination gives him the ability to analyze facts from all sides.
Mr. Shapiro has more than 30 years of criminal litigation practice, including the successful defenses of O.J. Simpson and Christian Brando. Shortly after the Simpson trial, Mr. Shapiro steered his practice away from criminal defense and toward the civil arena. The striking evolution of his career gives him a background that is unmatched by most attorneys. Many civil litigators have experience taking depositions, but cannot carry that experience into the courtroom or in front of a jury, which sets Mr. Shapiro apart.

Mr. Shapiro received a business degree in finance from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1965 and obtained his law degree from Loyola Law School in 1968. At the start of his career, Mr. Shapiro spent two years in the Los Angeles County District  Attorney’s Office before deciding to practice criminal defense as a sole practitioner, polishing his trial and litigation expertise.

Mr. Shapiro has been recognized as a “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Civic Endeavors 

Mr. Shapiro has been married for more than 40 years to his wife, Linell and has a son, Grant. His other son, Brent, died of chemical dependency disease in 2005, prompting Mr. Shapiro to found The Brent Shapiro Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to raise drug and alcohol awareness in the wake of this tragedy. (For more information visit The Brent Shapiro Foundation.)

Entrepreneurial Activities

Mr. Shapiro considers himself to be an entrepreneur at heart and has founded two companies: LegalZoom.com and Shoedazzle.com. His business background allows him to better understand corporate clients’ needs, as well as their interests.

Mr. Shapiro has authored two books, “The Search for Justice” and “Misconceptions.” He also wrote a children’s book on the negative effects of drug use, which is available free-of-charge to schools across the country. Additionally, he is a frequent contributor to Op-Ed pieces and legal articles. He has appeared on all cable and network news channels as a legal expert.

California

Loyola Law School, J.D.

University of California, Los Angeles, B.S., Finance

• “Robert Shapiro Named One of The Most Influential Lawyers in America”
• “Top California Litigator,” Benchmark Litigation 2014
• Southern California Super Lawyers, multiple years
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
• Pro-Bono Lawyer of the Year by State of Nevada, 2008
• Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association, 2010 – Present

• “Twenty Glaser Weil LLP Attorneys Included in 2015 Southern California Super Lawyers List”
• “Fourteen Glaser Weil LLP Attorneys Included in 2014Super Lawyers Business Edition List”
• “Robert Shapiro Named One of The Most Influential Lawyers in America”
• “Sixteen Glaser Weil Attorneys Included on 2014Southern California Super Lawyers List”
• Glaser Weil Recognized in Benchmark Litigation 2014
• “Glaser Weil Named One of 2012 Top Ranked Law Firms by Fortune Magazine”
• “16 Glaser Weil Attorneys Named 2012 Southern California Super Lawyers”
• “Judge Rules for Wynn in Ousted Investor’s Challenge,” by Alexandra Berzon, Wall Street Journal MarketWatch, Oct. 2, 2012
• “Update 2-Judge won’t block redemption of Okada’s Wynn Stake,” by Sue Zeidler, Reuters, Oct. 2, 2012
• “Okada Loses Bid to Vote Wynn Resorts Shares at Meeting,” by Edvard Pettersson, Bloomberg Businessweek, Oct. 2, 2012
• “O.J. Simpson ‘dream team’ lawyer Robert Shapiro representing Wynn in fight with director,” by Steve Green, VegasInc.com, Jan. 30, 2012
• “The Lawyer of the Century: Robert Shapiro,” by Mary Waldron, LawCrossing
• Mr. Shapiro has appeared on every network and cable news channel as a legal analyst

• Defends high-profile clients, including O.J. Simpson, Christian Brando and Robert Evan.
• Representing Wynn Resorts Ltd. in litigation regarding the removal of its largest shareholder and the redemption of his stock.
• Representing Zhang Hongbao, a fugitive from China who founded the Zhang Gong movement with 34 million followers. After spending 16 months in jail, Mr. Shapiro secured his release within two months of being retained.
• Representing Amdi Peterson, the founder of Denmark-based Tvind (also called the Teacher’s Group), in extradition proceedings.
• In civil matters, representing John Paul Mitchell Systems, Occidental Petroleum and Diamond Resorts International.
• Representing Steve Wynn in a broad range of general litigation matters

• “Lawyers Get $35,000 an Hour — and Shareholders Foot the Bill,” by Robert Shapiro, HuffPost Crime, Sept. 26, 2012
• “Hurdles in Securities Fraud Litigation: An Overview,” by Robert L. Shapiro and Janet S. McCloud, Securities Litigation Report, October 2011
• “In Blake Versus Peterson, Difference Was Defense Strategy,” by Robert L. Shapiro, Los Angeles Daily Journal Forum, March 28, 2005
• “What if a juror’s motive is a lucrative book deal?” by Robert L. Shapiro, San Jose Mercury News, Nov. 21, 2004
• “The Basic Rules of White-Collar Defense,” by Robert Shapiro, Wall Street Journal, July 19, 2004
• “Misconception,” by Robert Shapiro and Walt Becker, 2002
• “The Search for Justice: A Defense Attorney’s Brief on the O.J. Simpson Case,” by Robert L. Shapiro, 1996

The Brent Shapiro Foundation