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The Defense Architect

A comprehensive profile of Mark Geragos, examining the career and high-profile cases of a renowned American defense attorney.

About Geragos ๐Ÿ‘ค Notable Cases โš–๏ธ

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Professional Overview

Mark John Geragos

Mark John Geragos, born October 5, 1957, is a distinguished American criminal defense lawyer. He serves as the managing partner of the prominent law firm Geragos & Geragos, based in Los Angeles, California. His career is marked by a series of high-profile cases, establishing him as a significant figure in the legal landscape.

Legal Practice

Geragos is renowned for his extensive work in both criminal defense and complex civil litigation. His firm, Geragos & Geragos, handles a wide array of legal matters, leveraging his strategic approach and extensive courtroom experience to advocate for his clients.

Armenian Heritage

As an Armenian-American, Geragos maintains a strong connection to his cultural roots. He has been recognized for his contributions to the Armenian community and actively participates in various organizations dedicated to Armenian causes, including serving on the Advisory Committee of Birthright Armenia and as chairman of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry.

Academic Foundation

Early Education

Geragos received his early education at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Caรฑada, California, where he graduated with academic distinction.

Higher Education

He pursued his undergraduate studies at Haverford College, earning a bachelor's degree with a double major in anthropology and sociology in 1979. Subsequently, he obtained his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Loyola Law School at Loyola Marymount University in 1982. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1983, marking the commencement of his legal career.

Career Trajectory

Firm Leadership

As the managing partner of Geragos & Geragos, Mark Geragos oversees a broad spectrum of legal work, encompassing both criminal defense and civil litigation. His leadership guides the firm's strategic direction and client representation.

Landmark Class Actions

Geragos played a pivotal role in two significant federal class-action lawsuits against New York Life Insurance and AXA. These cases addressed insurance policies issued during the Armenian Genocide, involving claims related to over 1.5 million Armenians. The lawsuits culminated in settlements exceeding $37.5 million in 2004 and 2005, highlighting his commitment to historical justice and complex litigation.

Media Acquisition

In December 2022, Geragos expanded his influence by partnering with Ben Meiselas to acquire Los Angeles magazine. This venture, undertaken through their formation of Engine Vision Media, signifies an interest in media and publishing alongside his legal practice.

Unique Legal Hub

Historic Fire Station

The offices of Geragos & Geragos are situated in a distinctive historical building on Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles: Engine Company No. 28. This 1912 structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is jointly owned by Geragos and his investment partner, attorney Brian S. Kabateck. The partners have engaged in both collaborative legal efforts and adversarial disputes concerning their shared investments.

Client Portfolio

High-Profile Representation

Mark Geragos has represented a diverse and notable roster of clients, often navigating complex and widely publicized legal challenges. His involvement spans celebrity defense, political figures, and individuals involved in significant legal disputes.

  • Susan McDougal: Geragos gained national attention representing this figure from the Whitewater controversy, successfully defending her in an embezzlement trial.
  • Winona Ryder: He defended the actress on theft charges, securing a probation sentence and counseling.
  • Michael Jackson: Geragos was involved in the early stages of the singer's molestation case, though he was later replaced due to workload concerns.
  • Scott Peterson: Geragos represented the convicted murderer during his high-profile trial.
  • Chris Brown: He represented the singer following the assault on Rihanna, navigating probation and legal issues.
  • Kesha: Geragos briefly represented the singer in her legal battle against Dr. Luke.
  • Clare Bronfman: He represented a key figure in the NXIVM cult case.
  • Colin Kaepernick: Geragos represented the NFL quarterback in his grievance against the league concerning his national anthem protests.
  • Jussie Smollett: He represented the actor in the 2019 alleged false police report case.
  • Cain Velasquez: Geragos represented the former UFC Heavyweight Champion against criminal charges.
  • Menendez Brothers: Geragos took on the post-conviction representation of Lyle and Erik Menendez in 2023, advocating for a new trial based on alleged abuse evidence.
  • Gary Condit: Represented the former Congressman during a period of intense public scrutiny.
  • Roger Clinton Jr.: Geragos successfully secured dismissal of alcohol-related charges against the former President's brother.
  • David Carradine Family: Assisted the family following the actor's accidental death and previously represented Keith Carradine in a wiretapping conspiracy case.
  • Greg Anderson: Represented Barry Bonds' trainer during legal proceedings related to perjury accusations.
  • Cameron Brown: Geragos represented the defendant in a highly publicized child murder case that resulted in multiple trials.
  • Victor Willis: Successfully negotiated probation and rehabilitation for the Village People frontman on drug charges.
  • Amphit & Kulbir Dhaliwal: Represented survivors of the San Francisco Zoo tiger attack in civil rights and emotional distress claims.
  • Kazuyoshi Miura: Joined the defense for the Japanese businessman who died by suicide before his trial.
  • Piper Partridge, et al.: Represented parents in a lawsuit alleging excessive force by police in the fatal shooting of their suicidal teenage son.
  • Scottie Pippen: Represented the NBA legend in a countersuit related to an alleged assault.
  • Travelers Insurance: Geragos and clients sued the insurer over denied pandemic-related claims.

Media Engagement

Legal Commentary

Geragos frequently appears as a guest and legal commentator on various television programs. His insights have been featured on networks such as CNN, NBC's Today, Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, and Larry King Live, offering expert analysis on prominent legal issues and high-profile cases.

Podcast Host

He co-hosts the podcast Reasonable Doubt with Adam Carolla, where they discuss societal issues and legal matters from Geragos's perspective as a defense attorney. He has also guest-hosted for Carolla and co-hosted The Adam and Dr. Drew Show.

Television Production

Geragos served as an executive producer for the ABC television series Notorious (2016), a drama inspired by his professional relationship with producer Wendy Walker. Although critically noted, the series concluded after one season.

Professional Accolades

Recognition in Law

Mark Geragos has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, acknowledging his skill and dedication in the legal field:

  • Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Bar Association (1999)
  • Jerry Giesler Memorial Award for Trial Skills, Judgement & Dedication (1999)
  • Humanitarian of the Year by the Mexican American Grocers Association (2001)
  • Professional of the Year by the Armenian Professional Society (2004)
  • Consumer Attorney of the Year by the Consumer Attorneys of California (2005)
  • Attorney of the Year by California Lawyer magazine (2006)

Further Exploration

Related Topics

For a deeper understanding of the Armenian-American community in Los Angeles and its historical context, explore the following resource:

  • History of Armenian Americans in Los Angeles (opens in new tab)

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References

References

  1.  Spin
  2.  Waxman, Sharon. "Jackson Says 'Full Attention' Of Legal Team Was Lacking." The New York Times, April 27, 2004, p. A-23
  3.  "Carradine mystery deepens, family seeks FBI help" By loy Chitsomboon and Bob Tourtellotte (Reuters)
A full list of references for this article are available at the Mark Geragos Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. The information presented here is derived from the provided source text and has been refined for clarity and context suitable for an academic audience.

This is not legal advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional legal consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified legal professional with any questions you may have regarding a specific legal situation. Never disregard professional legal advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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