It can be very difficult to answer the question, “Who is the greatest lawyer of all time?” You might not know how to do it or you might think that the answers are all the same. Regardless of your opinion, there are many great lawyers. However, there are some who stand out from the rest. Here are a few to consider.
William Howard Taft
When it comes to the greatest lawyer in American history, it would be hard to beat William Howard Taft. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and had a long career in politics.
At the time of his death, Taft was the highest-ranking federal official in both the executive and judicial branches. A member of the Republican Party, he was appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 1921. In 1930, Taft died of heart disease.
Before his political career, Taft had served as a judge in Ohio and on the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
As a young man, Taft fought for the rights of labor and against management. He also initiated 80 antitrust cases against large industrial combinations.
He also supported the conservation of natural resources. While working on the Supreme Court, Taft put conservative jurists on the bench and encouraged the Judiciary Act of 1925.
Taft was also the founder of the League to Enforce Peace, which was designed to create a binding international legal regime. This was the precursor to the League of Nations.
After his political career, Taft worked as a law professor at Yale University. During this period, Taft wrote many books, articles, and speeches.
His brother, Charles, contributed most of his expenses. The wealthy brother also helped with Will Taft’s travels.
Taft’s father, Alphonso, was a prominent lawyer and politician. Louise Taft reminded her son of the influences of their father.
Taft was a member of the National War Labor Board and co-chaired it in 1917. He was also responsible for building the Panama Canal.
When he was young, Taft dreamed of becoming a Chief Justice of the United States. His appointment to the Solicitor General and his subsequent position as a Supreme Court Justice pushed him towards his goal.
Thurgood Marshall
Many people consider Thurgood Marshall to be the greatest lawyer of the 20th century. He was a pioneer in the civil rights movement and helped achieve a number of important victories.
In 1908, Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His grandfather gave him the name “Thoroughgood.” The family moved to Pennsylvania, where he attended Lincoln University. There, he studied with Charles Hamilton Houston. This influential educator encouraged his students to use the law to make social changes.
After graduating from Howard University, Marshall opened his own private law practice in Baltimore. During this time, he was a member of the NAACP. Afterward, he became the chief of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
As a young man, he was rejected by the University of Maryland for failing to meet the standards of whiteness. This incident shaped the path of his career. Later, he was nominated by President Johnson to the Supreme Court.
After his appointment, Marshall traveled around the country, often visiting small courtrooms to defend black clients. He also represented the NAACP in Washington, DC.
He founded the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in 1940. It was designed to mount legal attacks against segregation. Among his many achievements, he won 29 cases before the Supreme Court.
One of his most notable victories was Brown v. Board of Education. This case helped end legal segregation in schools.
Other major legal victories included his involvement in the lawsuit against the State of Texas for refusing to allow African American voters to participate in the primary election. He also helped defend two black men who were accused of shooting a policeman.
While serving as a lawyer, Marshall was frustrated by the decisions made by the Supreme Court. For example, the court struck down a precedent that required separate but equal facilities for African Americans.
Johnnie Cochran
When it comes to famous lawyers, there are few names as iconic as Johnnie Cochran. A true champion of civil rights and a staunch defender of justice, Cochran has won a number of high-profile cases and received a number of awards.
He started his legal career in 1963. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, he worked as a deputy criminal prosecutor in Los Angeles. Then, in 1978, he became the first African-American assistant district attorney in Los Angeles.
In the early 1970s, Cochran represented a young street gang member named Stanley Tookie Williams in a robbery trial. Within a few minutes of the trial, the judge acquitted the teenager.
Soon after, Cochran began representing a number of notable clients. His roster included entertainers like Michael Jackson, Sean Combs, R. Kelly and R.A.I., as well as civil rights victims.
In 1995, Cochran took on the case of O.J. Simpson, which was one of the most televised and publicized trials of all time. In the end, Cochran and his team were able to get acquittal for the former football star.
Cochran was selected as a Headliner in Time magazine in 1995. He was also named America’s Trial Lawyer of the Year by the National Law Journal.
Cochran was a passionate advocate for the civil rights of African Americans. His goal was to use his fame to make an impact on the American public.
Before beginning his legal career, Cochran studied at Mount Vernon Middle School in Los Angeles. His father was an insurance salesman. And his grandfather was a sharecropper.
During World War II, the defense industry was booming. But after the war, Cochran decided to pursue his dream of becoming an attorney. As a result, he enrolled at UCLA and obtained a Juris Doctor degree.
Craig Fleishman
It’s no secret that Craig Fleishman is a very competent and reliable attorney. He has an impressive track record of success and has been known to go the extra mile. This includes providing his clients with the best possible legal representation in a variety of practice areas. Some of these include criminal defense, civil litigation, and business transactions.
The best part is that he takes the time to listen to his clients’ concerns and make recommendations based on the specific needs of each individual client. Whether it’s a case involving personal injury, malpractice, a business dispute, or a family law matter, Fleishman is committed to helping his clients achieve their full potential.
Among his many accomplishments, Craig Fleishman is also an exemplary member of the community. Over the years, he has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association and the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau Government and Community Affairs Advisory Committee. In addition to his duties, he has been an avid philanthropist, contributing his time and resources to charities like the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado and the Kempe Foundation.
Having been a fan of the Denver area for more than thirty years, he has made it his mission to help improve the quality of life for the city’s residents. For this reason, he is an avid supporter of the Denver Symphony, the Kempe Foundation, and the Anti-Defamation League. Despite having to deal with a number of challenges over the years, Craig has shown himself to be a gentleman and a sage in both personal and professional matters.
As a result of his commitment to excellence, Craig is among the leading plaintiffs’ lawyers in the state. He was recently selected as one of Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers for 2012.
Ben Rubinowitz
Ben Rubinowitz is a trial lawyer with a reputation as one of the best in the United States. His practice is dedicated to representing individuals injured by the negligence of others, including construction accidents, automobile accidents, and medical malpractice. He has received numerous verdicts and settlements throughout New York.
Ben is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, a group of attorneys who are selected for their expertise in the field of trial advocacy. In addition, he is a fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
He is a member of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) and its Board of Trustees. He also serves as a Program Director for NITA. As an active member, he has received several awards, including the Prentice Marshal Award, the Robert E. Keeton Award, and the Trial Practice Award.
Aside from his courtroom experience, Ben Rubinowitz is recognized for his ability to translate complicated information into clear terms for a jury. He is a highly sought-after speaker on trial techniques. He has lectured on a variety of topics, including civil trial opening statements, hospital liability, and high exposure cases.
He has lectured on behalf of law schools all over the country. Additionally, he has been a featured legal expert on Court TV.
Ben has a perfect rating on Avvo, the site that assesses lawyers based on their industry recognition and professional accomplishments. This rating is calculated using a mathematical model, incorporating years in practice and disciplinary history.
He has been listed as a “Top 100” attorney in the New York metro area for the past seven years. Furthermore, he has been named as Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year in both personal injury and products liability.
