The following legal professionals have distinguished themselves through their work on landmark cases, their advocacy for civil rights, and their mastery of corporate and criminal law.
| Attorney | Primary Area of Practice | Notable For |
| David Boies | Litigation | Representing Al Gore in Bush v. Gore |
| Theodore “Ted” Olson | Litigation & Constitutional Law | Arguing for the plaintiffs in Perry v. Schwarzenegger |
| Amal Clooney | International Law & Human Rights | Representing high-profile international clients |
| Bryan Stevenson | Civil Rights & Criminal Justice | Founder of the Equal Justice Initiative |
| Mary Jo White | Securities Law & White-Collar Defense | Former Chair of the U.S. SEC |
| Paul Clement | Appellate Law | Arguing over 100 cases before the Supreme Court |
| Judy Clarke | Criminal Defense | Representing high-profile and controversial defendants |
| Kamala Harris | Prosecution & Politics | Current Vice President of the United States |
| Benjamin Crump | Civil Rights & Personal Injury | Representing the families of high-profile victims of police violence |
| Neal Katyal | Constitutional & Appellate Law | Former Acting Solicitor General of the United States |
Export to Sheets
A Deeper Dive into the Careers of Influential Attorneys
Understanding the careers and landmark cases of these legal professionals provides insight into their impact on the American legal system.
David Boies
A legendary litigator, David Boies has been at the center of some of the most significant legal battles of the last few decades.
- Bush v. Gore: Boies represented Vice President Al Gore in the contentious legal battle over the 2000 presidential election.
- United States v. Microsoft: He served as the lead counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice in the successful antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft.
- Perry v. Schwarzenegger: Boies teamed up with his former adversary, Ted Olson, to successfully challenge California’s Proposition 8, which had banned same-sex marriage.
Theodore “Ted” Olson
A highly respected conservative lawyer, Ted Olson has argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court and served as Solicitor General of the United States.
- Bush v. Gore: Olson represented George W. Bush in the 2000 election dispute, arguing opposite David Boies.
- Citizens United v. FEC: He successfully argued for the majority in this landmark case that reshaped campaign finance law.
- Perry v. Schwarzenegger: In a surprising and powerful partnership, Olson joined forces with David Boies to advocate for marriage equality.
Amal Clooney
An internationally acclaimed human rights lawyer, Amal Clooney has taken on some of the most challenging and high-profile cases on the global stage.
- Representing Yazidi Survivors: She has advocated for the rights of Yazidi women who were victims of genocide by ISIS.
- Defending Journalists: Clooney has represented journalists around the world who have been imprisoned for their work.
- International Justice: Her work often focuses on holding powerful individuals and states accountable for human rights abuses.
Bryan Stevenson
The founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson is a tireless advocate for the poor, the incarcerated, and the wrongly convicted.
- Challenging Racial Injustice: Stevenson’s work has shed a powerful light on the racial disparities within the American criminal justice system.
- Fighting for the Condemned: He has successfully argued several cases before the Supreme Court and has saved numerous prisoners from the death penalty.
- The National Memorial for Peace and Justice: His initiative created this memorial in Montgomery, Alabama, to honor the victims of racial terror lynching.
Mary Jo White
A formidable figure in the world of securities law, Mary Jo White has served as the Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
- Cracking Down on Financial Crime: As U.S. Attorney, she oversaw the prosecution of high-profile financial criminals and terrorists.
- Leading the SEC: As Chair of the SEC, she implemented significant reforms in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.
- Private Practice Powerhouse: In private practice, she is a sought-after defense attorney for major corporations and financial institutions.
Paul Clement
A brilliant appellate lawyer, Paul Clement has argued more cases before the Supreme Court than any other lawyer of his generation.
- Supreme Court Veteran: His deep understanding of constitutional law and his persuasive arguments have made him a go-to advocate for challenging and complex cases.
- Former Solicitor General: Clement served as the 43rd Solicitor General of the United States, representing the federal government before the Supreme Court.
- Wide-Ranging Impact: His cases have spanned a vast array of legal issues, from healthcare to religious freedom.
Judy Clarke
Known for taking on some of the most difficult and unpopular cases, Judy Clarke is a highly respected criminal defense attorney.
- Representing the Unpopular: Her clients have included “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski, Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and Jared Loughner, who was convicted of the 2011 Tucson shooting.
- Opposing the Death Penalty: Clarke is a staunch opponent of the death penalty and has often taken on cases to save her clients from execution.
- A Principled Stand: Her willingness to defend the most reviled individuals underscores her deep commitment to the principle of legal representation for all.
Kamala Harris
Before becoming the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris had a distinguished career as a prosecutor and politician.
- District Attorney of San Francisco: She was the first woman and person of color to hold this position.
- Attorney General of California: As the state’s top lawyer, she oversaw a wide range of criminal justice and civil rights issues.
- U.S. Senator: Her legal background heavily influenced her work as a U.S. Senator before she was elected Vice President.
Benjamin Crump
A prominent civil rights attorney, Benjamin Crump has become the go-to lawyer for families of victims of police brutality and racial injustice.
- A Voice for the Voiceless: Crump has represented the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, George Floyd, and many others in high-profile civil rights cases.
- Seeking Justice and Reform: His work has brought national attention to issues of police misconduct and has been a catalyst for calls for police reform.
- A Champion for Civil Rights: Crump is a passionate and powerful advocate for racial equality and justice.
Neal Katyal
A leading appellate and constitutional law expert, Neal Katyal has a distinguished career in both government and private practice.
- Former Acting Solicitor General: Katyal has argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court, representing the U.S. government.
- Defending the Constitution: He has been involved in several landmark cases, including successfully challenging the Trump administration’s travel ban.
- A Respected Legal Scholar: In addition to his legal practice, Katyal is a respected academic and a professor at Georgetown University Law Center.