Have you ever wondered who the richest lawyer in the world is?
Lawyers are often seen in movies or TV shows as powerful people in suits, but some of them are also incredibly rich in real life.
They’ve built big careers helping others, solving complex legal problems, and even running big businesses.
In this blog, I am going to tell you just how rich lawyers can get and who holds the title of the wealthiest lawyer in the world in 2025.
You’ll also learn what kind of law makes the most money, and why some lawyers earn more than others.
So, if you’re dreaming of becoming a millionaire lawyer one day, keep reading—this list might inspire you!
Who is the Richest Lawyer in the World?
As of 2025, the richest lawyer in the world is Wichai Thongtang. His net worth is estimated to be around $2.2 billion! That’s right—billion with a “B”.
Wichai is a Thai lawyer who made most of his money in corporate law, where he helped big companies with their legal matters. He’s also a smart businessman and investor, which helped grow his wealth even more.
Wichai didn’t get rich just from court cases—he also invested in healthcare, media, and other industries.
So while he started as a lawyer, he used his legal knowledge to build a business empire. This shows that being a lawyer can open many doors—not just in courtrooms, but in the business world too.
Ultimate List of the Richest Lawyers in the World
Here’s the ultimate list of the top 12 richest lawyers in the world in 2025. These lawyers come from different parts of the world and different types of legal work.
But they all have one thing in common: they turned their law careers into multi-million (or billion) dollar fortunes!
Wichai Thongtang (Thailand): $2.2 billion
Specialty: Corporate Law & Business Investments
Wichai Thongtang is a Thai lawyer turned billionaire investor. He made his fortune in corporate law and expanded into healthcare and media businesses.
Known for representing top clients, his legal background helped him build a powerful business empire, making him the richest lawyer in the world with a net worth of $2.2 billion.
Charlie Munger (USA): $2.1 billion
Specialty: Real Estate & Investment Law (Also known as Warren Buffett’s partner at Berkshire Hathaway)
Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s right-hand man at Berkshire Hathaway, began his career in real estate law.
Although he transitioned into investing, his legal training laid the groundwork for his financial empire.
With a net worth of $2.1 billion, Munger remains a respected figure in both law and investment communities.
Richard Scruggs (USA): $1.7 billion
Specialty: Tobacco & Asbestos Litigation
Richard “Dickie” Scruggs earned his wealth through major litigation cases, especially tobacco and asbestos lawsuits.
Known as the “King of Torts,” he made billions for clients and himself. Despite legal troubles later in life, his courtroom victories placed him among the richest lawyers in history with $1.7 billion in wealth.
Bill Neukom (USA): $1.5 billion
Specialty: Technology Law (Former general counsel for Microsoft)
Bill Neukom served as Microsoft’s top lawyer for over two decades, playing a key role in the tech giant’s global expansion and courtroom battles.
He later became CEO of the San Francisco Giants. His net worth of $1.5 billion reflects his success at the intersection of law, technology, and sports.
Judge Judy Sheindlin (USA): $480 million
Specialty: Family Court Judge & TV Personality
Judge Judy Sheindlin rose to fame through her hit TV courtroom show “Judge Judy,” turning legal judgment into entertainment.
With her sharp wit and no-nonsense style, she became one of TV’s highest-paid personalities. Her estimated $480 million net worth proves the power of turning legal expertise into media success.
William Lerach (USA): $900 million
Specialty: Class Action Lawsuits
William Lerach made his fortune leading class action lawsuits, particularly against major corporations involved in securities fraud. He recovered billions for shareholders.
Though he served prison time for misconduct, his legal victories and high-profile cases helped him amass a fortune estimated at $900 million during his powerful legal career.
Joe Jamail (USA): $1.5 billion (Deceased)
Specialty: Personal Injury & Corporate Law
Joe Jamail, famously dubbed the “King of Torts,” was a fierce and flamboyant personal injury and corporate litigator.
He won a $10.5 billion verdict for Pennzoil against Texaco, earning over $300 million in fees. At his peak, his net worth reached $1.5 billion. He passed away in 2015.
Roy Black (USA): $250 million
Specialty: Criminal Defense (Famous for celebrity cases)
Roy Black is a well-known criminal defense attorney, famous for defending high-profile clients like William Kennedy Smith and Justin Bieber.
He’s respected for his courtroom skills and media appearances. His work in both civil and criminal law has earned him an estimated net worth of $250 million as of 2025.
Willie E. Gary (USA): $215 million
Specialty: Personal Injury & Product Liability
Willie E. Gary is a powerhouse personal injury lawyer known for winning multi-million-dollar verdicts against large corporations.
Coming from humble beginnings, he became one of the most successful Black attorneys in America.
With an estimated net worth of $215 million, he’s admired for both his legal victories and philanthropy.
John Branca (USA): $200 million
Specialty: Entertainment Law (Represented Michael Jackson)
John Branca is a leading entertainment lawyer who has represented music legends like Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, and The Rolling Stones.
Specializing in music rights and contract negotiations, he’s played a major role in billion-dollar music deals. His sharp legal mind helped him build a net worth of $200 million.
Robert Shapiro (USA): $120 million
Specialty: Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation (Known for O.J. Simpson case)
Robert Shapiro gained international fame for his role in the O.J. Simpson defense team. He later co-founded LegalZoom, a company offering affordable legal services online.
With a net worth of $120 million, he’s known for blending traditional legal practice with modern business innovation to serve clients in new ways.
Erin Brockovich (USA): $100 million
Specialty: Environmental Law (Known for real-life legal activism)
Erin Brockovich, though not a lawyer by degree, became famous for building a case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Her real-life legal activism inspired a Hollywood movie.
She now works as a consumer advocate and environmental activist, earning a $100 million net worth through settlements, public speaking, and books.
What Kind of Lawyers Have the Maximum Salary?
Not all lawyers make the same amount of money. Some earn much more because of the type of law they practice, who their clients are, and even where they live.
Here are the top kinds of lawyers who usually have the highest salaries:
Corporate Lawyers
Corporate lawyers work for big companies. They help with business deals, company policies, contracts, and legal problems that businesses face.
Since companies make a lot of money, they’re willing to pay high fees for good legal advice. These lawyers can make millions—especially if they work for large corporations or help with billion-dollar deals.
Trial Lawyers (Litigators)
Trial lawyers represent people or companies in court. If they win big cases—especially those involving huge settlements or jury awards—they can earn massive payouts.
Think about lawyers who work on high-profile injury cases, lawsuits against big companies, or class action lawsuits. They often get a percentage of the money won, which can be in the millions.
Entertainment Lawyers
Entertainment lawyers represent celebrities, musicians, producers, and athletes. They help with contracts, endorsements, and disputes.
If you’re representing a Hollywood star or a global pop singer, you’re probably making a lot of money too. These lawyers usually charge high hourly rates or take a cut of the deals they close.
Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyers
IP lawyers deal with patents, trademarks, and copyrights. They help inventors, creators, and companies protect their ideas and creations.
Since ideas can be worth a lot of money—especially in tech, media, and pharma—IP lawyers are in high demand and earn very well.
Your Legal Guide: What Does the Salary of a Lawyer Depend On?
Being a lawyer can make you rich, but it depends on a few important things. The kind of law you practice is one big factor. Corporate law, entertainment law, and trial law are some of the highest-paying areas. But there’s more to it than just that.
Where you live and work also matters. Lawyers in big cities like New York or Los Angeles usually make more than those in smaller towns.
Your experience, reputation, and client list also play a huge role. Famous lawyers who represent big names or companies can charge a lot more.
And finally, your business skills can make a huge difference. Many of the lawyers on this list didn’t just stick to law—they used their legal knowledge to invest wisely, start companies, or grow their brands. That’s how they became some of the richest lawyers in the world.
If you’re thinking about becoming a lawyer, this guide shows that there’s no limit to how far you can go—especially if you’re passionate, hard-working, and smart about your choices.
Read Also:
