Alan Dershowitz Net Worth

Alan Dershowitz: A Lawyer Who Takes on Unpopular Cases

Net Worth Details

Alan Dershowitz, a renowned lawyer and former professor, has a net worth of $20 million. With a focus on American constitutional and criminal law, Dershowitz is known for taking on high-profile cases for unpopular clients. His notable clients include Julian Assange, Mike Tyson, Patty Hearst, and Harvey Weinstein. He has also been a part of the legal defense teams for O.J. Simpson, Donald Trump, and Jeffrey Epstein. Dershowitz faced allegations of rape by one of Epstein’s victims in 2014.

Biography

What is Alan Dershowitz known for?

Alan Dershowitz was born on September 1, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Orthodox Jewish parents, Claire and Harry. From a young age, Dershowitz showed intellectual potential and a strong work ethic. At the age of 14, he started working at a deli factory in Manhattan. He attended the boys’ preparatory school Yeshiva University High School, where he also played basketball. After graduating, he enrolled at Brooklyn College and earned his AB in political science in 1959. Dershowitz then pursued his law studies at Yale Law School, serving as the editor-in-chief of the prestigious Yale Law Journal. In 1962, he graduated as the top-ranked student in his class with a Bachelor of Laws degree.

Career Beginnings

Following his graduation from Yale, Dershowitz had the privilege of clerking for Chief Judge David L. Bazelon of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He furthered his legal education by clerking for Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg. In 1964, Dershowitz became an assistant professor at Harvard Law School. At the age of 28, he became a full-time professor, earning the distinction of being the youngest to hold this position in the law school’s history. Dershowitz dedicated four decades to teaching at Harvard Law before retiring in 2013.

Major Legal Clients

While teaching at Harvard, Dershowitz maintained an active legal practice specializing in civil and criminal law. One of his first major cases involved representing British socialite Claus von Bülow, who was accused of attempting to murder his wife. Dershowitz successfully overturned the conviction, which became the basis for his book, ‘Reversal of Fortune,’ later adapted into an Oscar-winning film.

In 1995, Dershowitz gained immense attention when he acted as an appellate adviser to O.J. Simpson’s defense team during the highly publicized murder trial. Throughout his career, he has represented controversial figures, including American businesswoman Leona Helmsley, televangelist fraudster Jim Bakker, boxer Mike Tyson, and financier Michael Milken.

In the 200s, Dershowitz found himself representing various contentious clients. In 2006, he worked on the legal defense team for sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s first criminal case. He successfully negotiated a non-prosecution agreement on Epstein’s behalf. In 2011, Dershowitz served as a consultant on the legal team for Julian Assange, who faced potential charges by the US government for releasing classified documents through WikiLeaks.

In a highly controversial move, Dershowitz joined film producer and sex predator Harvey Weinstein’s legal team in 202. This decision drew increased attention and criticism due to his previous support for Hillary Clinton and previous criticisms of Donald Trump. During Trump’s first impeachment, Dershowitz provided a controversial defense that contradicted his previous arguments during Bill Clinton’s impeachment.

Political Views

Dershowitz is a member of the Democratic Party and has shown support for multiple Democratic presidential candidates, including Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. His political beliefs extend beyond party affiliation. Known to be a strong supporter of Israel, he defended the actions of the Israel Defense Forces during the 2006 conflict with Lebanon.

Dershowitz also holds a stance in favor of gun control, stating that the Second Amendment has “no place in modern society.” However, he has taken reactionary positions as well, advocating for certain forms of torture following the 9/11 attacks.

Allegations of Sex Crimes

In 2014, Dershowitz faced accusations related to sex trafficking crimes involving his client Jeffrey Epstein. Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, alleged that Epstein had trafficked her to Dershowitz and that he had witnessed the sexual abuse of other minors. Dershowitz settled out of court with Giuffre’s lawyers in 2016. However, three years later, Giuffre filed a defamation lawsuit against Dershowitz, claiming he had made malicious statements about her. These allegations resurfaced in the 202 Netflix series “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich,” where Giuffre reiterated her claims onscreen.

Personal Life

Dershowitz married Sue Barlach in 1959, whom he met during high school at a Jewish summer camp. They have two sons: Elon, who became a film producer, and Jamin, who followed in his father’s footsteps to become an attorney. Dershowitz and Barlach separated in 1973 and divorced in 1976. After a legal battle, Dershowitz won full custody of their children.

In 1986, he married retired neuropsychologist Carolyn Cohen, and together they have a daughter named Ella. They split their time between residences in Manhattan, Martha’s Vineyard, and Miami.

Achievements

As a distinguished lawyer, Alan Dershowitz has left an indelible mark on the legal field. From successfully overturning convictions to representing high-profile clients, his career is defined by noteworthy accomplishments. His work on high-profile cases, including those involving Claus von Bülow and O.J. Simpson, earned him widespread recognition.

Dershowitz has also made significant contributions to academia through his four decades of teaching at Harvard Law School. As a prominent legal scholar and expert in American constitutional and criminal law, he has influenced countless aspiring lawyers.

Despite facing controversies and allegations, Alan Dershowitz’s impact on the legal profession endures and his continued engagement with high-profile cases keeps him at the forefront of public interest.