Which Lawyer Gets Paid the Most in Legal Fees?

Many people consider law school because of its potential high salaries. Though salary should never be the sole determining factor when selecting a career in law, it certainly makes an impactful statement about potential earning power and flexibility in this profession.

Lawyers can earn substantial compensation, depending on their specialty, firm, industry and experience. Some lawyers even become multi-millionaires! But who among us earns the most?

David Boies

Boies, Schiller & Flexner’s Chairman David Boies leads in terms of legal fees earned. Boies represents clients such as Altria, Apple, CBS, HSBC, Oracle and The New York Yankees among others – among these are Altria, Apple, CBS HSBC Oracle The New York Yankees among many more. Boies is best known for his high-profile cases such as leading the U.S. government’s 2001 antitrust case against Microsoft as well as helping overturn California’s ban against gay marriages among many more.

At times, his cases make headlines for their controversial nature. For instance, he was hired by Harvey Weinstein’s estate to defend against sexual-misconduct allegations from more than 100 women, and Elizabeth Holmes from blood testing company Theranos was charged with fraud earlier this year.

He was also instrumental in filing pro bono lawsuits to shut down Backpage, an online publisher which ran a sex trafficking ring employing hundreds of underage girls. Such suits, and others like them, led to conflict with legal giants including Harvard law professor and OJ Simpson attorney Alan Dershowitz.

Boies is known for his tireless work ethic and once asked one of his colleagues “Do you want to sleep or win?” With his unparalleled drive and determination, he has established one of the most successful firms in America.

Personal life was also of equal significance to him. With wife Mary – an attorney who served as vice president at CBS and general counsel of the U.S. Aeronautics Board before becoming assistant director of White House Domestic Policy staff under Jimmy Carter – as co-parents they shared six children – two from each marriage – living in Mount Kisco, New York where they generously contributed to local causes while hosting an annual picnic for hundreds of incoming Teach for America volunteers.

Hawk and Horse Vineyards. When not in court, Boies loves strolling the vine rows at Hawk and Horse Vineyards. His time off from court can also be enjoyed with family and friends as well as walking his dogs for exercise. In addition, Boies is a dedicated volunteer serving on the Board of Trustees at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center which houses its original draft of the United States constitution.

Daniel Petrocelli

Daniel Petrocelli is a partner at O’Melveny & Myers LLP and chair of its Trial Practice Committee. He has been recognized with awards such as America’s “Litigator of the Year” by L.A. Daily Journal as well as one of LA’s “Lawyers of the Decade”. Daniel regularly represents household-name clients in high stakes litigation cases as well as business disputes across a spectrum of practice areas.

Petrocelli knew early on what he wanted from life; initially studying music at UC Los Angeles but quickly realizing playing trumpet wasn’t going to pay the bills, he chose Southwestern Law School to study law instead and graduated in 1980.

Since then, he has established himself as one of the top trial attorneys. His clients include household-name celebrities such as O. J. Simpson and Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling; in both instances he was recognized for leading high-profile litigation as lead counsel. He earned praise for his role in OJ Simpson’s civil wrongful death suit against him and representing him against what became considered to be one of the largest white collar prosecutions ever brought by federal authorities.

Recently, Petrocelli took on the Department of Justice in its attempts to block AT&T’s merger with Time Warner. He won his case by showing that their antitrust allegations were unsubstantiated by facts or evidence; and plans on continuing his defense of large mergers in media and entertainment industries in future battles.

Petrocelli’s family also works in the legal profession; his wife Alison is an attorney specializing in both civil rights and criminal law cases. Additionally, he has two young children, aged six and four years respectively, with an anticipated third on its way.

Petrocelli remains dedicated to serving his community, contributing his time and expertise through various legal organizations such as the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and Southern California Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse boards, pro bono work for individuals charged with various offenses, etc.

Jeffrey Tafel

A president of an organization is accountable for its effective organization, operation and management. They often serve as public face of their organization while providing strategic leadership that drives change initiatives towards meeting goals set forth by its Board of Directors. Being President is a senior position which demands considerable experience.

Jeffrey Tafel serves as Executive Director for the IFMA Foundation, a non-profit that advocates for education, facility management degree program accreditation and research within facility management. Jeffrey works closely with both its board of trustees and members in designing fundraising, marketing and program plans for this initiative.

Since joining our company a few months ago, he has earned his Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and lives in Petoskey. Additionally, he serves as an SCORE Tip of the Mitt Mentor.