Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mark Geragos’ Net Worth?
Mark Geragos, an Armenian-American criminal defense attorney and producer, has accumulated a net worth of $25 million. This valuation reflects his successful career as a partner at the Los Angeles-based law firm Geragos & Geragos and his involvement in numerous high-profile legal cases and media ventures.
Mark Geragos’s Career and High-Profile Cases
Geragos gained national recognition for representing Susan McDougal, an ex-business partner of Bill Clinton, securing her a presidential pardon in the early 2000s. He represented actress Winona Ryder when she faced shoplifting charges in Beverly Hills, resulting in a sentence of counseling and probation. His clientele also included Michael Jackson during molestation accusations, although Jackson later terminated his services. Geragos also represented Scott Peterson, who was convicted of murder.
In 2001, Mark represented Bill Clinton’s half-brother, Roger Clinton Jr., successfully winning a dismissal of alcohol-related charges. Following the death of actor David Carradine in his Bangkok hotel room, Geragos assisted Carradine’s family, providing legal counsel and support during a sensitive time. In 2006, he represented Greg Anderson, the trainer of baseball player Barry Bonds, when Anderson refused to testify regarding perjury accusations against Bonds. Simultaneously, Geragos served as the attorney for Cameron Brown, accused of murdering his young daughter by throwing her off a cliff. The initial trial resulted in a mistrial, and Brown was eventually convicted 15 years later with different legal representation.
In 2007, Geragos was retained by Amphit and Kulbir Dhaliwal, survivors of a tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo. He successfully negotiated a settlement of $900,000 in their civil suit against the zoo, providing compensation for their injuries and trauma. In 2009, Mark represented singer Chris Brown following Brown’s assault on Rihanna. Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault and received a sentence that included five years’ probation and six months of community service. Geragos continued to defend Brown in subsequent probation violation cases, navigating the complexities of his legal obligations.
In 2019, Mark represented Jussie Smollett after the actor was accused of making a false police report. Initially, all 16 criminal charges against Smollett were dropped. However, Smollett was later sentenced to 16 hours of community service and was required to forfeit his $10,000 bond to the city of Chicago. In 2020, Geragos & Geragos sued Travelers Insurance for “initially denying coverage of their pandemic-related claims.” The lawsuit stated that Geragos & Geragos had “been forced to deal with a substantial loss in business traffic and client/law-related business activities.”
Mark was also a lead attorney in two federal class action lawsuits against New York Life Insurance and AXA concerning policies issued during the Armenian genocide in the early 20th century. These cases were settled for over $37 million in 2004 and 2005, providing compensation to the affected policyholders and their families. Mark Geragos’s net worth has definitely benefitted from these wins and many other cases that he has tried during his career.
Besides his work in law, Mark has appeared on numerous TV shows as a legal commentator, including “60 Minutes,” “Anderson Cooper 360,” and “Larry King Live.” In 2014, he co-hosted CNN’s “Making the Case” with Sunny Hostin. Mark executive produced the documentary “Motherland,” which won awards at several film festivals in 2022. He also executive produced the 2016 ABC crime drama “Notorious,” which was based on his and Wendy Walker’s experiences, a producer of “Larry King Live”.
Early Life and Education
Born on October 5, 1957, in Los Angeles, California, Mark John Geragos is the son of Betty Jane and Paul John Geragos. He graduated with honors from La Cañada’s Flintridge Preparatory School. He pursued higher education at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, earning degrees in sociology and anthropology. In 1982, Mark obtained a Juris Doctor from Loyola Marymount University’s Loyola Law School and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1983.
Awards and Honors
In 1999, the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Bar Association recognized Geragos as Trial Lawyer of the Year. He also received the Jerry Giesler Memorial Award for Trial Skills, Judgement & Dedication. In 2001, the Mexican American Grocers Association honored him with the Humanitarian of the Year award. The Armenian Professional Society named him Professional of the Year in 2004. Mark was named Consumer Attorney of the Year by the Consumer Attorneys of California in 2005 and Attorney of the Year by “California Lawyer” magazine in 2006. These accolades acknowledge his legal skills, dedication to his clients, and contributions to the legal profession and community. All of these honors have only helped his net worth and career.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Mark is married to Paulette Kassabian, and they have a daughter named Teny. Geragos maintains close ties with the Armenian community, serving on the Armenia Fund’s International Board of Trustees since 2006. He is a member of Birthright Armenia’s Advisory Committee and Chairman of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Mark and Paulette reside in a 7,500 square foot mansion in La Canada Flintridge, which is estimated to be worth over $7 million based on similar sales in the area. The home is located in the 400 block of Saint Katherine Drive.
Mark Geragos’s net worth and success reflect his accomplishments in law, media, and community involvement.
