Robert L. Shapiro, Attorney

Robert Shapiro is the head of the Firm's white-collar criminal defense section. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1969. A graduate of UCLA, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance. At Loyola Law School he was the recipient of two American Juris Prudence awards. He was both the winner of the Moot Court Competition and served as its Chief Justice.

Mr. Shapiro clerked for Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office during his last year in law school. Upon graduation he accepted a position as a public prosecutor for two and a half years. He entered private practice in 1972 and gained a reputation for representing high profile individuals in criminal cases.

In 1990 Mr. Shapiro became Of Counsel to the firm of Bushkin, Gaims, Gaines & Jonas. His practice expanded to include civil litigation. Upon the founding of the Firm, Mr. Shapiro became Of counsel. In 1995 he became a named partner of the firm.

Mr. Shapiro was recently profiled in the New York Times as one of the nations most prominent attorneys. His list of high profile cases includes the defense of O.J. Simpson, Christian Brando, and Robert Evans. He successfully represented the President of Mobil Oil Company charged with manslaughter resulting from a tank explosion. He is a frequent guest on network and cable television shows and is called upon for his legal expertise.

Less known but equally important is Mr. Shapiro's expertise in international law. Recently he successfully represented Zhang Hongbao, a sought after fugitive from mainland China. Mr. Hongbao was the founder of the Zhang Gong movement with thirty-four million followers. After sixteen months in jail Mr. Shapiro was able to secure his release within two months of being retained. In a highly publicized case in Denmark Mr. Shapiro successfully represented the founder of the Teacher's Group Amdi Peterson in extradition proceedings. He also has expertise in cases involving child custody issues related to the Hague Convention.

Mr. Shapiro's civil practice includes representation of John Paul Mitchell Systems and Occidental Petroleum in litigation.

Mr. Shapiro has written and lectured extensively on legal issues and procedures. He is the author of the New York Times Bestseller The Search For Justice. His novel Misconception is currently being adapted for a major motion picture. He was honored by the California State Bar Journal for having authored one of the ten best legal articles of the decade. He is the recipient of the pro-bono lawyer of the year from the State of Nevada. The Los Angeles Daily Journal has listed Mr. Shapiro as one of it's 100 Super Lawyers.

In his leisure time Mr. Shapiro is an avid sports fan supporting both the Lakers and the Kings. He is a passionate boxing fan as well as an amateur boxer. He resides in Los Angeles with Linell, his wife of over 37 years, with whom he had two sons, Brent and Grant.  After Brent's death, The Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Awareness was formed.  Mr. Shapiro serves as the Chairman of the Board.  Please see www.brentshapiro.org.

• U.S.A. v. Samango

• People v. O.J. Simpson

• People v. Christian Brando