Who is the Most Powerful Attorney?
Who is the most powerful attorney? This depends on your definition of power; generally speaking, those who can influence government policies and laws are considered the most influential attorneys.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has pledged to use her broad legal powers to investigate President Donald Trump, his family and businesses – but can she fulfill her pledges?
William Lerach
William Lerach is a legal expert who specializes in private securities class action litigation. Over his 30-year career as a securities attorney, William has recovered over $45 billion for shareholders defrauded by companies. William has testified before Congressional committees on corporate governance matters as well as frequently appearing as an expert commentator on national media outlets to discuss business and legal topics.
He has been honored as one of the Best Lawyers In America since 1991 and honored by The New York Times with their Super Lawyer designation several times over. Representing clients such as Microsoft, Al Gore and American Express; also acting on human rights issues for workers on Saipan in garment factories as well as American POWs forced to work at Japanese weapons factories during WWII as well as victims of European Holocaust;
The world’s most influential lawyers are those with significant influence over their peers and firm’s practices, possessing significant authority among them and winning over clients’ trust in negotiations with opposing parties. Furthermore, these powerful attorneys possess a thorough knowledge of legal procedure as they take on difficult cases for clients while being adept at negotiating favorable settlements for them.
Jim Walden is an influential New York City lawyer named one of the 50 most influential lawyers by Forbes magazine. He has worked on some of the City’s major development projects such as Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyscrapers; moreover he has won a variety of high profile cases such as a suit against Food Stamp Program for wrongly terminating benefits to poor people.
Beginning his legal career at Gibson Dunn – an iconic New York City law firm – he quickly established himself in securities litigation for over two decades, representing clients in financial disputes as well as leading civil rights movement representation and successfully litigating against New York City over Brooklyn Bridge issues.
Wichai Thongtang
Wichai Thongtang began his business career as a lawyer but has quickly grown into one of Thailand’s richest businesspeople, boasting an estimated net worth of $2.2 billion and being well-recognized as an investor across Asia. Furthermore, he serves as Chairman at Bangkok Dusit Medical Services where he owns majority stake in their stock.
Thongtang began his legal career after graduating from Thammasat University in the 1970s as a corporate attorney representing prominent Thai executives and corporations. But his famed victory in 2001 asset concealment case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra propelled him into star status both domestically and abroad.
Since then, he has grown his empire, expanding it with healthcare assets and hospitals acquired, real estate investments, broadcasting media rights and broadcaster shares he owns (Cable Thai Holding). Recently, he outbid bigger competitors for English Premier League rights across Thailand, Cambodia and Laos through 2016 by outbidding them for the rights to play this football competition in Thailand Cambodia and Laos.
Even though Thongtang now specializes primarily as an investor and CEO, his legal credentials remain impeccable. Utilizing his knowledge of capital markets and law to make smart and calculated decisions that have contributed to his success; additionally he is well versed in risk management, helping limit losses should an investment fail.
Thongtang also sits on the boards of several listed companies, such as hospital company Bangkok Dusit Medical (of which he and his wife own 12.14%), 2morrow Group Co. Ltd and Royal Orchid Hotel Public Co. Ltd (where he serves as Chairman). Grande Asset Hotels & Property Public Co. Ltd are both under his management as well.
Thongtang is a self-made multibillionaire who amassed his fortune through hard work and intelligent investments, earning himself membership on Forbes Billionaires list with an estimated net worth of over $1.8 billion. When not working or investing, he enjoys traveling and spending time with family while being an avid golfer who has won over 50 professional tournaments over his career.
Geoffrey Berman
Geoffrey Berman, former law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and now United States District Judge in New Jersey, has emerged as an outspoken opponent of corruption within the Trump administration. As United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York he has led investigations into high-profile Trump associates such as Michael Cohen’s payoff to Stormy Daniels; Rudy Giuliani’s business dealings; allegations of money laundering by Deutsche Bank and Turkey’s state-run Halkbank as well as Jeffrey Epstein’s business dealings as well as allegations of sex trafficking allegations. Additionally pending cases include Chris Collins Cesar Sayoc Natalia Veselnitskaya Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman.
Berman’s work has captured media coverage and caused friction with Justice Department leaders in Washington. Yet New York federal prosecutors have come to support and trust him, believing he upholds office independence while prosecuting politically sensitive cases on their legal merits. Furthermore, Berman has stood up to opportunistically revered officials from Obama’s time who rose into leadership positions under Trump such as Richard Donoghue and Jeffrey Rosen.
Berman contends in his book, “The Corruption of Main Justice,” that the Trump administration weaponized the justice department by pushing it to prosecute critics and enemies while sparing friends. Berman accuses President Trump of interfering in criminal cases himself while dismissing Merrick Garland as chief justice was driven by political considerations.
Trump may be taking a gamble by firing Berman without Senate confirmation of any replacement, as such actions are likely to end up before a court for review, with Trump likely facing potential litigation and likely losing.
Berman’s dismissal from his post as U.S. attorney represents what he describes as corruption in the executive branch, raising serious concerns that the justice department is being politicized and controlled by President Donald Trump’s administration, with far-reaching ramifications for American democracy. But Berman’s removal might also serve as a warning signal that White House seeks to use justice department resources against independent judiciaries.
Letitia James
Letitia James made an immense mark on New York politics as both the first Black woman and person of color to ever win election to a state-wide office, setting precedent in her field as an attorney and trailblazing for other female lawyers in legal profession. James championed women and families’ rights and was known for challenging injustice related to gender, race and sexual orientation.
James was raised in Brooklyn and attended Lehman College and Howard University School of Law. Initially she served as a public defender before taking on additional responsibilities with the Brooklyn regional office of the attorney general’s office – she has an exceptional record in protecting vulnerable residents while taking swift and decisive action against anyone breaking New York state laws irrespective of status or political affiliation.
James represented New Yorkers during their public advocate tenure and championed their rights by protecting immigrants’ rights, protecting foster care children, increasing government transparency and advocating for stronger workplace protections, taking on gun industry companies like Remington Arms to force pension funds to divest from them, as well as handling consumer complaints against predatory lenders who preyed upon New Yorkers – winning major victories along the way – with her office also helping resolve hundreds of consumer cases and taking on predatory lenders to bring them to justice.
After Eric Schneiderman announced his resignation due to allegations of domestic abuse and alcoholism, James announced her candidacy for state attorney general in 2018. She became the 67th Attorney General of New York on January 1, 2019, becoming the first African American woman ever in this role. Since her induction as Attorney General she has taken on high-profile cases including challenging President Trump with multiple violations within New York state law.
James has long been considered a progressive politician within her party and is well-regarded by its left wing. She formed an intimate bond with former Governor Cuomo but criticized some of his policies; she has also voiced criticism against New York City police’s Stop and Frisk policy and New York City police’s stop-frisk practice. It had been anticipated that she would run for governor in 2022; however, in December of that year she changed course by running instead for attorney general instead of running against incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo