Many attorneys have left an indelible mark on the legal industry, becoming leaders through hard work and dedication to their clients. Even without modern tools to assist them, their commitment is truly impressive.
Abraham Lincoln’s rise from self-taught frontier lawyer to President is an astounding testament to law and leadership, inspiring millions across America through his relentless pursuit of justice and leaving a lasting impression that resonates even today.
1. Richard Scruggs
Scruggs served in the Navy’s fighter pilot program before studying law at the University of Mississippi and winning significant victories against Big Tobacco and asbestos industries.
Dickie Scruggs is known as the “King of Torts” due to his contentious fights against large corporations that netted billions in settlements. Additionally, he’s well-connected politically; being married to former Sen. Trent Lott’s sister-in-law and making major donations to University of Mississippi where their music building bears his name are two examples.
2. Clarence Darrow
Darrow’s trials were more political in nature. He advocated on behalf of labor, defended war protesters charged with sedition and opposed capital punishment.
His career took a significant leap forward when, in 1894, he represented Eugene Debs in a railroad strike trial. His fiery cross-examination of witnesses and fierce passion for human rights made him well known; many cases that seemed hopeless were won because of him.
3. Thurgood Marshall
Marshall graduated from Lincoln University and Howard Law School before opening a private practice in Baltimore. Additionally, he joined the national legal staff of NAACP, eventually serving as its chief counsel.
Marshall achieved great success at arguing civil rights cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, such as Brown vs Board of Education and Shelley v Kraemer which declared restrictive housing covenants unconstitutional.
4. Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ginsburg graduated from Cornell University and Columbia Law School, where she clerked for a federal judge while writing the first casebook on gender discrimination. Later she served on the US Court of Appeals where she worked to advance gender equality across America.
She was an astute strategist; even filing cases on behalf of male plaintiffs to demonstrate that gender discrimination affected both sexes equally.
5. Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson was an educator and author who went on to become the 28th president of the United States. He wrote “Congressional Government” as well as teaching at several colleges before being named president of Princeton University in 1902.
As president, he played an instrumental role in creating the League of Nations. Additionally, he attempted to bring an end to World War I by submitting Fourteen Points of Peace Conference of Paris Peace.
6. Cicero
Cicero (born Marcus Tullius Cicero) was known for taking risky cases and winning them, often at great personal risk to himself. He made headlines for publicly criticizing Caesar’s assassin Marc Anthony – ultimately leading to his demise by contract killer Herennius.
As a pupil of Plato, Cicero emulated his Athenian master’s political philosophy in De Re Publica and De Legibus. He foiled Catiline Conspiracy which spared Rome from disaster.
7. Johnnie L. Cochran Jr.
Johnnie Cochran transitioned from public prosecutors to private practice and quickly established himself as a premier expert on representing high profile cases, winning many large settlements and verdicts for them.
He was greatly inspired by Thurgood Marshall, whose groundbreaking victory in Brown v. Board of Education ended segregation in schools.
Cochran began taking on civil rights cases, such as when Leonard Deadwyler, an African-American motorist was murdered by police officers, prompting Cochran to file suit against the police department.
8. Joe Jamail
Joe Jamail was an exceptional attorney with an inimitable style and notable court victories. Through his philanthropy efforts and legal brilliance, his legacy lives on today.
On the eve of the Pennzoil trial, he and Darrell Royal spent all night drinking whiskey to devise their strategy. He realized that to succeed he needed to excite his jury about money; which he managed.
9. Roy Black
Roy Black was one of America’s premier criminal defense attorneys, representing prominent clients like Rush Limbaugh, William Kennedy Smith (acquitted on rape charges), and three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves. Additionally he taught law at University of Miami.
He was known for his legal analysis on national television shows and teaching legal studies at his acclaimed firm on Biscayne Boulevard.
10. John Travolta
John Travolta left high school at 16 to pursue acting and made his breakthrough with roles in Grease and Over Here!.
As seen in Quentin Tarantino’s PULP FICTION, he won critical acclaim for his portrayal of a philosophical hit man. Additionally, other films he appeared in include Get Shorty, Face/Off, Primary Colors, Swordfish and the neo-noir The General’s Daughter.
In 2018, he made his film debut as mob boss John Gotti in GOTTI – receiving mixed reviews for this role.