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Mark John Geragos[1] (born October 5, 1957) is an American criminal defense lawyer and the managing partner of Geragos & Geragos, in Los Angeles.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Geragos was born in Los Angeles, California, where he attended Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada, graduating with honors. He earned his bachelor's degree from Haverford College, in 1979, double-majoring in anthropology and sociology, then his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Loyola Law School at the Loyola Marymount University in 1982.[2] He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1983.[3][4]

An Armenian-American, Geragos maintains a close relationship with the Armenian community.[5] He has earned praise from the Armenian National Committee of America,[6] and serves on the Advisory Committee of Birthright Armenia,[7] as the chairman of Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry,[8] and also is involved with the Armenian religious community.[9] He has been a member of the Armenia Fund International Board of Trustees since 2006.[10]

Career

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Geragos is the managing partner for the law firm of Geragos & Geragos,[11] where he oversees criminal defense and civil litigation. He was one of the lead lawyers in two groundbreaking federal class action lawsuits against New York Life Insurance and AXA, for insurance policies issued in the early 20th century during the time of the Armenian genocide of more than 1.5 million Armenians. The two cases settled for over $37.5 million, in 2004 and 2005.[12]

In December 2022, Geragos partnered with law colleague and MeidasTouch co-founder Ben Meiselas to form Engine Vision Media and acquire Los Angeles magazine from Hour Media.[13]

Office

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The firm's office is located on Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles in a former Los Angeles Fire Department fire station, Engine Company No. 28, alongside Kabateck LLP. The 1912 building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Los Angeles and is jointly owned by Geragos and his investment partner, attorney Brian S. Kabateck, since 2007, among other joint acquisitions; the partners have litigated together and also, in recent years, against one another over their mutual investments.[14]

Notable clients

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Geragos first garnered national attention after representing convicted Whitewater figure Susan McDougal, the former business partner of former President Bill Clinton.[15] Geragos requested a presidential pardon for McDougal on January 20, 2001, though the decision was entirely up to former President Clinton, pursuant to Article II of the United States' Constitution.[16] Geragos also represented McDougal in a 12-count embezzlement trial in Los Angeles in which the jury returned a not-guilty verdict.[17]

He has since represented many notable clients, including Gary Condit;[18] suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield;[19] Scott Peterson;[19] Scott Barney;[3] Roger Clinton Jr.;[20] Lee Tamahori;[21] Kesha, briefly, in her lawsuit against Dr. Luke, until May 2016;[22] and Clare Bronfman.[23] Other notable clients include:

  • Winona Ryder – In December 2002, Geragos defended Academy Award-nominated actress Winona Ryder on charges of stealing more than $5,500 worth of merchandise from a Beverly Hills, California, store in 2001. With the help from Geragos, she was sentenced only to three years' probation and ordered to undergo psychological and drug counseling.[24][25]
  • Michael Jackson – In the early stages of the Michael Jackson molestation case, Geragos simultaneously handled this case and the Scott Peterson case, two of the best-known American trials at that time.[26] Geragos's "crushingly busy calendar" in the courtroom earned him a rebuke by a judge in an embezzlement case Geragos was also representing.[27] On April 26, 2004, Jackson removed Geragos as his attorney, replacing him with Thomas Mesereau. In a public statement provided by his spokesperson, Raymone Bain, Jackson said, "It is imperative that I have the full attention of those who are representing me. My life is at stake..." suggesting that Geragos may not have had enough time to handle his case because of his workload.[28] Geragos later said that he was dismayed to see Jackson climb atop an SUV to the cheers of his fans after leaving the Santa Barbara County, California, courthouse in January 2004, when he was first arraigned on the initial complaint.[29] Geragos's co-counsel, Benjamin Brafman, also expressed disapproval of Jackson's actions.[29] "Although [in January] the lawyers explained the behavior as 'Michael being Michael'," The New York Times reported, "they are said to have privately expressed consternation at the display of frivolity in the face of serious charges."[29]
  • Roger Clinton Jr. – Geragos won dismissal of all alcohol-related charges against former President Clinton's brother.[30]
  • Carradine family – He assisted the family of actor David Carradine in the aftermath of his accidental death.[31] Geragos had previously represented a class of plaintiffs that had included actor Keith Carradine, his spouse, actress Hayley DuMond, attorney Stephen Kolodny, and designer Donna Dubrow in a class-action lawsuit related to private investigator Anthony Pellicano's illegal wiretapping conspiracy and subsequent conviction.[32][33]
  • Greg Anderson – In 2006, Geragos represented Anderson, who was most notably the personal trainer of Barry Bonds. On July 5, 2006, Anderson was found in contempt of court by U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who jailed Anderson for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury investigating perjury accusations against Bonds. Geragos announced that he would file an appeal based on his assertion that the subpoena to testify violated Anderson's July 2005 plea bargain agreement in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative case.[34] Anderson was to be held until he agreed to testify or until the grand jury's term expired. Geragos insisted that his client would not testify.[35] The grand jury expired on July 20, 2006, and Anderson was released from prison two weeks later.[36] On August 28, 2006, Anderson was again found in contempt of court for refusing to testify before a newly convened grand jury and sentenced to prison.[37] Anderson was freed on October 5, 2006, after an order from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found that the trial judge had committed legal errors. Anderson was later sent back to jail on November 16, 2006.
  • Cameron Brown – Geragos was the attorney for Brown, who was charged with murdering his four-year-old daughter by throwing her off a Rancho Palos Verdes cliff. The twelve-week trial ended in August 2006 without a verdict. The jury deliberated for over nine days but was hopelessly deadlocked and a mistrial was declared by Torrance Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold. With the Brown family's funds depleted, Geragos ended his representation. Subsequently, Judge Arnold appointed Geragos associate Pat Harris, with whom he had tried the case, to represent Brown[38] in a second trial that also ended in a hung jury.[39][40] A third trial saw him convicted.[41] After the second trial resulted in a hung jury, the Geragos & Geragos firm turned the case over to attorney Herbert M. Barish.[42]
  • Victor Willis – In September 2006, Geragos represented the Village People front man on charges of drug and weapons possession. Facing jail time, Geragos successfully negotiated a sentence of three years probation and treatment for drug addiction at the Betty Ford Clinic.[43]
  • Amphit Dhaliwal and Kulbir Dhaliwal – In December 2007, the two survivors of the tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo, hired Geragos to represent them against potential criminal charges, and also with the anticipation of filing a lawsuit against the zoo. Despite pressure from city officials, the local police inspector made it clear that there were no grounds for filing criminal charges against the Dhaliwal brothers related to the tiger attack. Geragos filed a federal suit against the Zoo and the City of San Francisco for violation of the Dhaliwal brothers' civil rights, including the Dhaliwals' being subject to search and seizure without probable cause, and for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Geragos settled the civil suit in the early phase of the court process for $900,000.
  • Kazuyoshi Miura – In 2008, Geragos joined the defense of Japanese businessman Miura, who committed suicide before his trial.[44]
  • Chris Brown – Geragos represented Brown, who pleaded guilty to the assault of his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. On February 8, 2009, Geragos brought Chris Brown to surrender to the LAPD.[citation needed] Later, Brown was arrested, and his court date was set to be on March 5, 2009. Geragos and Brown attended the court date, but did not plea and asked for arraignment until the next court date, April 6, 2009.[citation needed] On June 22, 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to one count of felony assault and was sentenced to 5 years' probation and 6 months' community service. However, Brown's inability to adhere to the rules of his probation ultimately led to his dismissal from rehab and the singer was thrown in jail from March 2014 to June of that year. Under counsel from Geragos, Brown was once again released under probation. Early in 2015, Brown's probation was revoked after he was present in two nightclubs where shootings took place. His probation officer had a problem with the singer traveling to San Jose, to perform at the nightclub where an incident occurred leaving five people shot and injured. Brown was aware his probation could end with the hearing, and before entering the courthouse, he tweeted: "Hopefully this is my last day in court … Pray for me." However, at Brown's scheduled March 20 court date, with the help of Geragos, Brown's probation officer reversed course, saying in a positive review that Brown had completed his community service sentence. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James R. Brandlin concurred, ruling the singer would no longer be under the watchful eye of the judicial system. Geragos said this of his client, “He is in a spot right now and a place right now that I couldn’t be prouder of him,” adding that the end of Brown's probation is “a monumental feat for him.”
  • Colin Kaepernick – Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick first filed a grievance against the NFL in October 2017, claiming that the NFL tried to keep him from playing after he chose to kneel during the national anthem. The quarterback opted out of his contract with the 49ers in March of the same year and was not picked up later in free agency. Kaepernick began kneeling during the 2016 season to protest racial inequality and police brutality. Safety Eric Reid and several other NFL players eventually joined him. Reid, a former teammate of Kaepernick's, was also a member of the grievance Kaepernick filed. After several months of ongoing dialogue with representatives of the NFL, both Kaepernick and Reid withdrew their collusion cases against the National Football League. On February 15, both Geragos and co-counsel Ben Meiselas released a joint statement with the NFL, declaring the resolution of the matter was subject to a confidentiality agreement.[45][46]
  • Jussie Smollett – Geragos represented Smollett in the 2019 alleged false police report. On March 12, 2019, it was reported that Chicago prosecutors had dropped all 16 criminal charges against Empire star Jussie Smollett as part of a deferred prosecution agreement against him. As part of the conditions of the deal, Smollett did 16 hours of community service and forfeited his $10,000 bond to the city. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced he wanted Jussie Smollett to cover the cost of the Chicago police department's investigation, which amounted to $130,000. Smollett's attorneys responded in a statement via NBC News that "Jussie has paid enough". Geragos and his firm also filed a motion to seal the case, which was granted by a judge. On April 23, 2019, Geragos was sued, along with Tina Glandian (another member of Smollett's legal team), under claims of defamation and false light by the Osundairo brothers (originally arrested in connection with an alleged attack on the actor).[47][48][49] However, a defamatory quote the Osundairos attributed to Glandian and Geragos in their lawsuit was in fact, said by their own attorney, Gloria Schmidt. The Osundairo brothers also paraphrased statements they claimed Geragos said on the Reasonable Doubt podcast (which Geragos co-hosts with comic Adam Carolla), alleging Geragos dragged their reps through the mud by indicating the brothers had attacked Smollett, committed perjury and conspired to make false statements to clear their names. Geragos submitted transcripts of his podcast during the time of the criminal legal proceedings, noting he never said the brothers' names, nor did he say or indicate what they attributed to him. The case was dismissed by the judge.
  • Piper Partridge, et al v. City of Benton, Arkansas, et al – In March 2018, Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Miller granted the city of Benton, Arkansas a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that Keagan Schweikle's parents, Piper Partridge and Dominic Schweikle, had filed against the city's officer, Kyle Ellison, and its police chief at the time, Kirk Lane. However, on July 3, 2019, a federal appeals court reinstated a lawsuit filed in 2017 against Benton police by the parents of the suicidal 17-year-old boy (Keagan) who was shot and killed while complying with an officer's order (Kyle Ellison) to move a gun away from his head. Filed by Geragos and Little Rock attorney Rick Holiman, the lawsuit alleged that Ellison used excessive force when he fired three shots at Schweikle as he stood on a bank facing the river and holding a gun in his right hand after threatening to shoot himself. Miller said that after Ellison ordered Schweikle to drop the gun and the boy moved it away from his head, the intention behind his actions was ambiguous, leaving the officer little choice but to shoot. Miller noted, "Keagan could have quickly pointed the gun at Ellison and opened fire almost instantaneously ... Ellison had a right to protect himself". A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis said Miller ruled on the matter too early in the process.[citation needed] In 2019, an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court finding that a Benton police officer Kyle Ellison had acted reasonably when he fatally shot a suicidal teen, Keagan Schweikle, in October 2016. In March 2018, Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Miller granted the city's motion to dismiss the lawsuit that Keagan Schweikle's parents, Piper Partridge and Dominic Schweikle, had filed against the city, officer Kyle Ellison and its police chief at the time, Kirk Lane. Filed by Geragos and Little Rock attorney Rick Holiman, the lawsuit alleged that Ellison used excessive force when he fired three shots at Schweikle as he stood on a bank facing the river and holding a gun in his right hand after threatening to shoot himself. A panel of federal judges restored the lawsuit over the officer-involved shooting death of 17-year-old Keagan Schweikle of Benton.[50]
  • Scottie Pippen – In February 2014, Scottie Pippen hired Geragos to file a countersuit against a Malibu man who alleged the former NBA All-Star assaulted him at a restaurant last year. Camran Shafighi filed a $4 million lawsuit against Pippen, accusing him of a “brutal and unjustified physical attack" that allegedly occurred outside upscale Nobu restaurant after Shafighi had sought a picture with the former Chicago Bull. In the cross-complaint filed by Geragos earlier in February, alleged Shafighi cursed at Pippen using racial slurs, spat on him and his children and said, "I’m going to kill you". The cross-complaint also alleged that Shafighi was “extremely aggressive and noticeably intoxicated” and calls for unspecified damages "according to proof".
  • Travelers Insurance – [51] Mark Geragos and his law firm – along with multiple clients – are suing Travelers Insurance for initially denying coverage of their pandemic-related claims. The firm says that while it's technically an essential business and not subject to a mandated shutdown, access to its downtown L.A. office has been "greatly limited" and the company has "been forced to deal with a substantial loss in business traffic and client/law-related business activities".
  • Cain Velasquez – Geragos began representing former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez, in defense against criminal charges in Santa Clara County, California, in March 2022.[52]
  • Menendez brothers – Geragos began representing the Menendez brothers in 2023 as their post-conviction attorney. He took on their case to advocate for a new trial or resentencing based on newly surfaced evidence supporting their claims of long-term sexual abuse by their father, José Menendez.[53] This evidence includes a letter Erik Menendez wrote to a cousin before the murders, detailing the alleged abuse, and an affidavit from former Menudo member Roy Rosselló, who accused José Menendez of assaulting him in the 1980s. Geragos has been actively involved in legal proceedings since then, including filing a writ of habeas corpus in May 2023 and a resentencing case in mid-2024.[54][55][56] He has also participated in court hearings and public discussions about the case. As of April 2025, Geragos continues to represent the brothers in their ongoing efforts to seek a new trial or resentencing.[57][58][59]

Alleged involvement in Nike extortion case

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Geragos was alleged to have participated in a scheme with attorney Michael Avenatti to extort Nike, but was not charged. At the sentencing hearing, lawyers for Avenatti questioned why Geragos had not been charged. The judge's rationale for reducing Avenatti's sentence was that Geragos was “a central figure in the criminal conduct,” but "suffered no consequences as a result", and "was not even charged.”[60][61] In November 2019, according to a new indictment filed in Manhattan federal court, conspiracy charges against Michael Avenatti were dropped. The new indictment filed also appears to clear Mark Geragos.[citation needed]

Media

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Geragos occasionally appears as both guest and legal commentator on TV. He has appeared on the Today show, Good Morning America, 60 Minutes, Anderson Cooper 360°, On the Record w/ Greta Van Susteren, How It Really Happened and has appeared a number of times on Larry King Live, including its 20th-anniversary show.[6][62] Geragos was employed by CNN in a contributor role until March 25, 2019, when he was reportedly implicated in an alleged scheme with attorney Michael Avenatti to extort more than $20 million from Nike, Inc.[63]

In addition to his former role as contributor on CNN, Mark Geragos and Sunny Hostin hosted a 2014 legal program entitled Making the Case.[64]

Geragos has made multiple appearances on the Adam Carolla Show since 2013, usually giving commentary on whatever is the top legal issue in pop culture. He guest-hosted for Carolla in April 2014 while Carolla was shooting his independent feature film Road Hard.[65] Geragos filled in for Dr. Drew Pinsky and co-hosted with Carolla in March 2015 on The Adam and Dr. Drew Show,[66] another podcast that airs on Carolla's Carolla Digital Network.

In June 2015, it was announced that Geragos would co-host a podcast with Carolla that would be a part of Carolla Digital.[67] The show is called Reasonable Doubt and features Carolla and Geragos discussing issues in society including the law, from Geragos's viewpoint as a civil and criminal defense attorney. The show debuted on July 25, 2015, and new episodes debut every Saturday.

Geragos was an executive producer for the 2016 ABC network television series Notorious, which was inspired by the working relationship between Geragos and Larry King Live producer Wendy Walker.[68] The show was cancelled after one season.[69]

Mistrial: An Inside Look at How the Criminal Justice System Works, co-authored by Geragos and Pat Harris, was published by Penguin in 2013.[70]

Awards

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See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mark Geragos

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mark Geragos (born October 5, 1957) is an American criminal defense and civil litigator based in , best known as the managing partner of Geragos & Geragos, a firm specializing in high-stakes trials for prominent clients and landmark settlements in complex disputes. A graduate of and , Geragos has built a career marked by aggressive representation in celebrity cases and civil actions, including acquittals such as Susan McDougal's on federal charges—leading to a presidential —and dismissals of charges against multiple defendants, one of whom later received a $1.7 million settlement. His firm has achieved substantial verdicts, notably a $59 million jury award against for , ranked among California's top verdicts of , and $37.5 million in federal class-action settlements against insurers New York Life and for unpaid Armenian Genocide-era policies. Geragos has defended a roster of high-profile figures, including in financial fraud suits, in an NFL collusion grievance, in assault-related matters, and in proceedings, alongside efforts to secure resentencing for the Menendez brothers. Named Lawyer of the Year in both criminal and civil practice—the only attorney besides to receive such dual recognition—his work often involves navigating intense media scrutiny and jurisdictional challenges across state and international lines.

Personal Background

Early Life and Family

Mark Geragos was born Mark John Geragos on October 5, 1957, in , . His parents were Paul Geragos, a longtime attorney who served as a for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, and Betty Jane Geragos. Geragos grew up in a family of Armenian descent; his paternal grandparents were survivors of the . From an early age, Geragos was immersed in the legal world, frequently shadowing his father in courtrooms beginning around age five or six, an experience that profoundly shaped his career aspirations. He attended in La Cañada Flintridge, California, graduating with honors.

Education

Geragos earned a degree from in in 1979. He subsequently attended , , where he obtained his in 1982. These institutions provided the foundational legal training that preceded his admission to the California State Bar and entry into his father's .

Early Career and Firm Establishment

After earning his from in 1982, Mark Geragos was admitted to the in 1983. That year, he declined an offer from the Los Angeles Attorney's office and instead joined his father's legal practice, forming the Geragos & Geragos in . His father, Paul Geragos, a former deputy , had previously operated a solo practice specializing in criminal defense. At the newly established firm, Geragos focused on criminal defense and civil litigation, handling a range of cases that laid the groundwork for his later prominence in high-stakes trials. The partnership emphasized aggressive representation in both state and federal courts, drawing on the senior Geragos's experience as a to navigate prosecutorial strategies. Over the ensuing years, Mark Geragos assumed an increasingly central role, eventually becoming the managing partner and principal, while expanding the firm's scope to include complex class actions and appeals. The firm's establishment in 1983 marked a transition from Paul Geragos's individual practice to a father-son collaboration, enabling shared resources for demanding litigation in Los Angeles's competitive legal environment. Early operations centered on , where Geragos built client relationships through meticulous preparation and courtroom advocacy, though specific case volumes from this period remain undocumented in . This foundational phase preceded Geragos's involvement in nationally notable defenses starting in the late 1990s.

Criminal Defense Practice

Geragos & Geragos maintains a robust criminal defense , handling state and federal offenses across and nationwide, from and petty to , capital crimes, and federal white-collar matters, including cannabis-related compliance, investigations, forfeiture proceedings, post-conviction relief such as and expungements, appeals, and sentencing mitigation. The firm employs a collaborative, team-oriented strategy emphasizing the protection of and customized defenses informed by over 50 years of collective experience in high-stakes litigation. Mark Geragos, the firm's principal and managing partner, has honed a national reputation through aggressive challenges to evidentiary weaknesses, exemplified by securing two consecutive dismissals of charges in the past decade by proving flawed eyewitness identifications; in one instance, the client obtained a $1.7 million settlement from the city of Glendale for wrongful prosecution. Other notable achievements include dismissals in cases involving (e.g., director ), kidnapping, and , as well as a twelve-week trial resulting in no conviction against a client accused in connection with their daughter's death. Geragos has also achieved acquittals in complex federal and state matters, such as back-to-back jury verdicts exonerating client , who later received a presidential from President in 2001. The practice frequently involves high-profile clients facing intense public scrutiny, where Geragos has negotiated favorable resolutions, including the successful closure of probation for singer stemming from his 2009 assault case in March 2015. This track record underscores a focus on meticulous investigation and trial advocacy to counter prosecutorial overreach.

Civil Litigation and Class Actions

Geragos & Geragos maintains a robust civil litigation practice, encompassing class actions, complex multi-district litigation, , , and disputes, with over 50 years of experience representing clients nationwide. Mark Geragos, as managing partner, has overseen numerous high-stakes civil matters, earning recognition as California Lawyer of the Year in Civil Litigation for his leadership in federal class actions addressing historical claims. Geragos served as a lead attorney in two landmark federal lawsuits against insurers for failing to honor policies issued to prior to the early 20th-century by the Ottoman regime. The suit against resulted in a $20 million settlement in 2005 for heirs of policyholders, compensating descendants for unpaid death benefits. Against AXA Corporation, the litigation yielded a $17.5 million settlement in 2005, similarly directed to survivors' descendants and Armenian charities, bringing the combined recovery to over $37.5 million. These cases recovered funds from policies dating back over a century, establishing precedents for pursuing -era claims through U.S. courts. Beyond insurance litigation, Geragos secured a $59 million verdict in 2008 against Inc. in a secrets case, where the pharmaceutical company was found liable for misappropriating information from a former employee. The firm has pursued class actions against entities including CenturyLink for alleged fraud, unfair competition, and unjust enrichment in billing practices; Palm, , Apple (iPhone-related), and for product defects and consumer harms; and organizers of the 2017 , distributing $7,220 per claimant to 277 ticket holders in a 2022 settlement for deceptive event promotion. Additional civil successes include an $8 million verdict in a denial case. These efforts underscore Geragos' emphasis on trial advocacy in civil disputes, often yielding multimillion-dollar recoveries for plaintiffs.

Notable Cases

Successful Defenses

Geragos secured a not-guilty verdict for on 12 counts of and in a 1996 California state court trial stemming from the scandal. In a subsequent federal trial in April 1999, McDougal, represented by Geragos, was acquitted of obstruction of justice charges brought by Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr, with the jury deadlocked on two counts of criminal contempt. In the mid-2000s, Geragos obtained the dismissal of all felony charges, including , against a client accused of shooting a Los Angeles Police Department officer. He also achieved the dismissal of prostitution charges against film director , resulting in a plea to a single count of criminal trespassing and three years' probation without incarceration. During the early , Geragos won dismissals of charges in two separate cases by demonstrating fundamental flaws in eyewitness identification evidence, including one instance where the client had already served 13 years in on the . These outcomes highlighted Geragos's emphasis on challenging unreliable testimonial evidence in criminal proceedings.

High-Profile Losses

Geragos represented Scott Peterson in the high-profile double stemming from the December 24, 2002, disappearance and death of Peterson's pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, and their unborn son, Conner, in . Joining the defense team in May 2003 after replacing earlier counsel, Geragos led the strategy during the 2004 , arguing that investigators had bungled alternative leads and that third parties were responsible for the killings. Despite these efforts, the convicted Peterson of first-degree for Laci and second-degree for Conner on November 12, 2004, following a five-month marked by extensive media coverage and including Peterson's affair and inconsistent statements. In the penalty phase, Geragos failed to sway the from recommending the death penalty on December 13, 2004, which Judge Alfred Delucchi imposed shortly thereafter, though the sentence was later reduced to life without parole in 2020 on appeal unrelated to Geragos' performance. Another notable defeat came in the 2002 shoplifting case against actress , charged with stealing over $5,500 worth of merchandise from a store in Beverly Hills on December 12, 2001. Geragos defended Ryder against felony counts of grand theft, over $5,000, and commercial , contending the incident involved a misunderstanding over unpaid items during a fashion consultation and challenging the prosecution's narrative of intent. On November 6, 2002, after a two-week , the acquitted Ryder of but convicted her of grand theft and , rejecting the defense's claims of accidental oversight. Judge Elden S. Fox sentenced Ryder on December 6, 2002, to three years of , 480 hours of , $3,700 in restitution, $6,355 in probation costs, and psychological counseling, with the felonies later reduced to misdemeanors after compliance. These cases highlighted challenges in Geragos' high-stakes criminal defense work, where public scrutiny and evidentiary hurdles contributed to unfavorable verdicts despite aggressive strategies. In Peterson's instance, post-trial analyses pointed to investigative oversights pursued by Geragos but ultimately unpersuasive to jurors, while Ryder's outcome reflected partial success in mitigating penalties but failure to secure full .

Controversies

Involvement in Nike Extortion Scheme

In 2018, attorney , in collaboration with Mark Geragos, pursued demands against Nike on behalf of Gary Franklin, a Los Angeles-based youth coach, threatening to publicize allegations of Nike's illicit payments to amateur athletes unless the company agreed to a $1.5 million settlement for Franklin and retained attorneys for a $15–25 million internal investigation. Geragos, leveraging his prior professional contacts at Nike, initiated outreach to company representatives and participated in a March 2019 meeting with Nike lawyers in New York to advance the proposal, actions that federal prosecutors later described as contributing to the effort. Avenatti was arrested in March 2019 on federal charges of , attempted , and wire ; he was convicted in February 2020 and sentenced to 2.5 years in prison in July 2021. Geragos was identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in the federal against Avenatti, indicating prosecutorial awareness of his role without pursuing charges against him. Geragos has maintained that he acted solely as a mediator facilitating discussions between Avenatti and Nike, without a formal attorney-client relationship with Franklin or direct communication with him, and reportedly advised Avenatti that his approach had "crossed a line." Franklin subsequently filed a legal against Geragos, alleging that Geragos's participation breached professional duties and facilitated the , which jeopardized Franklin's Nike sponsorship deal. In July 2025, a Los Angeles determined that Geragos had aided Avenatti's wrongful conduct and breached his duties, awarding Franklin $100,000 in , though it rejected claims of fraud or substantial harm to Franklin. However, in September 2025, Judge Steven Cochran vacated the verdict, ruling that law precludes absent established liability, and entered judgment in Geragos's favor, resulting in no payment owed. Geragos described the outcome as a vindication, emphasizing that the jury's findings did not support enforceable liability.

Malpractice Lawsuit

In 2018, Mark Geragos, alongside disbarred attorney , represented Gary Franklin, a Los Angeles-area youth basketball coach, in negotiations with Nike over allegations of misconduct in Franklin's amateur athletic program, which involved Nike-sponsored players. Franklin alleged that Geragos and Avenatti derailed a potential $1.5 million settlement offer from Nike by demanding a $15–25 million contract for an independent investigation into Nike's practices, without Franklin's knowledge or consent, ultimately leading to Nike terminating Franklin's sponsorship in 2019 and damaging his reputation. Franklin filed a legal malpractice lawsuit against Geragos in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that Geragos aided and abetted Avenatti's extortionate tactics, breached fiduciary duties, and engaged in wrongful conduct tied to the failed Nike extortion scheme that resulted in Avenatti's 2022 conviction. In a July 2025 trial before Judge Steven Cochran, a jury found that Geragos had knowingly assisted Avenatti in wrongful acts and breached his professional duties as counsel but rejected claims of fraud and determined that Geragos's actions caused no substantial harm or but-for causation to Franklin's losses. Despite the absence of causation, the jury awarded Franklin $100,000 in damages. On September 19, 2025, Judge Cochran overturned the jury's damages verdict via a stipulated judgment, ruling that law precludes recovery without established liability and causation, which the jury had not found. The court entered judgment in Geragos's favor, stating that Franklin "shall recover nothing," effectively resolving the case without payment from Geragos. Geragos publicly described the outcome as a vindication, emphasizing that the jury's breach finding did not equate to actionable under state standards. Separate reports in May 2025 indicated Geragos faced at least two additional malpractice suits, including one by the Estate of Anisa Farhadi alleging mishandling of a personal injury claim (case BC690815), though outcomes for these remain unresolved as of October 2025 and lack the public trial details of the Franklin matter.

Ethical Allegations and Criticisms

In September 2022, the State Bar of California initiated an investigation into Mark Geragos and attorney Brian Kabateck regarding their roles in distributing funds from a $19.5 million class-action settlement secured in 2021 against French insurer AXA, stemming from unpaid life insurance policies tied to the Armenian Genocide. The probe, prompted by complaints and reporting from the Los Angeles Times, examined allegations that the attorneys allocated settlement proceeds to preferred charities affiliated with their networks, approved claims from ineligible or fraudulent applicants, and sidelined verified descendants of policyholders, potentially violating rules on client fund management and conflicts of interest under California Rules of Professional Conduct. Geragos responded by dismissing the inquiry as politically motivated, asserting it stemmed from opposition by Turkish advocacy groups displeased with the settlement's pro-Armenian outcomes, and emphasized that neither he nor Kabateck controlled individual payouts or victim decisions. No public resolution or disciplinary action has been announced as of October 2025, and the State Bar clarified that initiating an investigation does not indicate misconduct. Critics have also raised concerns about Geragos' approach to trial publicity in high-profile criminal defenses, accusing him of strategically leaking information to media outlets to influence public perception and jury pools, which some legal observers argue skirts ethical boundaries on pretrial publicity under ABA Model Rule 3.6. For instance, during his representation of clients like Michael Jackson in 2003, Geragos faced scrutiny for public statements and media engagements that defense analysts described as manipulative, potentially prejudicing proceedings despite not resulting in formal sanctions. Geragos has defended such tactics as necessary countermeasures to prosecutorial leaks and aggressive media coverage, maintaining they serve client interests without crossing into impropriety. Additional ethical questions have surfaced in civil disputes, including a 2023 appellate ruling in Geragos v. Abelyan referencing opponents' claims of a pattern of State Bar inquiries into Geragos for retaining client retainers without equivalent services rendered, though no prior public discipline was detailed. Geragos countered these in litigation, portraying them as adversarial tactics rather than substantiated violations. These episodes have fueled broader commentary on the ethical tightrope walked by attorneys, where aggressive advocacy intersects with potential conflicts from high-visibility representations.

Public Engagement

Media Appearances and Commentary

Geragos has frequently served as a legal commentator on national television, providing analysis of high-profile criminal trials and investigations. His appearances include regular guest spots on , the Today Show, , , and programs hosted by . He contributed to CNN as a legal analyst, offering commentary on ongoing cases until March 25, 2019, when the network severed ties after federal prosecutors identified him as an unindicted co-conspirator in Michael Avenatti's attempted of Nike, a scheme in which Geragos cooperated with authorities and faced no charges. Following the incident, Geragos publicly criticized as a "know-nothing network" that "cut and run." In subsequent years, Geragos has continued commentary on , , and ABC affiliates, focusing on cases such as the student murders, where he highlighted evidentiary weaknesses, and the Menendez brothers' resentencing efforts, addressing new evidence reviews. On July 3, 2025, he predicted would serve 18 months or less in after on major charges but conviction on lesser counts in his federal trial. Geragos has also critiqued judicial handling of the Trump hush-money case on the Megyn Kelly Show and analyzed Jussie Smollett's overturned conviction on .

Podcast Ventures

Mark Geragos co-hosts the long-running podcast Reasonable Doubt, launched on June 8, 2015, with comedian . The show provides legal commentary on high-profile criminal cases, current events, and pop culture, drawing on Geragos's experience as a defense attorney. Carolla departed the podcast in early 2023, after which Geragos continued co-hosting with producer Gary Bryant; as of 2025, it has aired over 690 episodes across platforms including , , and iHeart. In early 2025, Geragos launched 2 Angry Men alongside , founder of . The analyzes courtroom battles, Hollywood scandals, and legal developments, often incorporating listener questions and guest appearances from attorneys involved in major cases. Episodes have covered topics such as Sean Combs's federal sentencing, the Menendez brothers' resentencing hearings, and allegations in entertainment industry disputes. Distributed via the Audio Network, the program emphasizes unfiltered discussions of legal strategies and media narratives.

Advocacy and Political Activities

Armenian Genocide Reparations Efforts

Mark Geragos has pursued reparations for victims of the through class-action lawsuits targeting unpaid policies issued prior to the 1915-1923 massacres. In collaboration with attorneys including Brian Kabateck, he represented heirs of policyholders in suits against insurers such as and , securing settlements totaling $37.5 million by 2006, with $20 million from New York Life alone allocated to descendants and Armenian charitable causes. These recoveries marked rare financial restitution for documented pre-Genocide policies that went unclaimed amid the Ottoman Empire's systematic extermination and asset seizures. Geragos extended his efforts to direct claims against the Republic of , filing a landmark on July 29, 2010, in U.S. District Court in on behalf of Armenian-American plaintiffs whose ancestors suffered property confiscations during the . The complaint named , its Central Bank, and T.C. Ziraat Bankasi as defendants, alleging deliberate , extermination, and of assets without compensation, seeking billions in damages for real estate, businesses, and personal effects lost between and 1923. This was the first such action explicitly targeting the modern Turkish government for -era liabilities, though it faced jurisdictional dismissals in 2013 and appellate reversals by 2019, prompting continued legal challenges. As of 2025, Geragos maintains active litigation against Turkey for Genocide reparations, emphasizing accountability for state-directed confiscations and denial of restitution. In January 2025, he joined the board of directors of the Truth and Accountability League, a nonprofit advancing legal and diplomatic pressure for recognition, restitution, and justice related to the Armenian Genocide. These initiatives reflect a broader strategy of leveraging U.S. courts to enforce claims where international forums have stalled, despite Turkey's consistent rejection of Genocide liability and reparative obligations.

Political Clients and Views

Geragos has represented several political figures affiliated with the Democratic Party. In the late 1990s, he defended , a key figure in the investigation and former business associate of President , securing her acquittal on obstruction of justice charges in 1999 after she served an 18-month sentence for contempt. He also represented , a Democratic congressman from , during the 2001 investigation into the disappearance and murder of intern Chandra Levy, with whom Condit had a relationship; Condit was never charged. Additionally, Geragos handled the defense of Roger Clinton Jr., brother of President , in a 2001 federal drug trafficking case stemming from a 1985 conviction, where Roger received probation after cooperating with authorities. In July 2024, Geragos joined the legal team for , son of President , in a federal case alleging nine counts of and filing false tax returns for income exceeding $1.4 million between 2016 and 2019; the case proceeded alongside Biden's separate charges conviction. Geragos has publicly as a Democrat and contributed over $5,000 to Kamala Harris's 2010 reelection campaign for , consistent with records of donations to Democratic causes over multiple years. However, he has voiced intraparty frustrations, as in a November 2020 tweet criticizing a fellow Democrat as a "dilettante" who made him "ashamed to be a Democrat." In media commentary, Geragos has analyzed cases involving Republican figures pragmatically; for instance, in June 2024, he discussed the legal implications of Donald Trump's New York hush-money conviction on , emphasizing evidentiary standards without endorsing partisan narratives. More recently, while representing in federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges, Geragos in August 2025 advocated for a potential Trump , arguing on a that Combs's experiences mirrored Trump's own legal battles and speculating Combs would support Trump if clemency were granted, reflecting a willingness to engage across aisles for client interests. This approach underscores Geragos's professional detachment from rigid ideological alignment in high-stakes advocacy.

Recognition and Legacy

Awards and Honors

In 1999, Geragos was awarded Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Bar Association for his successful defense of high-profile clients, including securing acquittals and pardons in notable cases. That same year, he received the Memorial Award, recognizing excellence in trial skills, judgment, and dedication within the criminal defense field. Geragos earned the California Lawyer of the Year award in civil litigation in 2006, one of only two attorneys—alongside —to receive Lawyer of the Year honors in both criminal and civil practice from Law Business Magazine. In 2001, the Mexican American Grocers Association named him Humanitarian of the Year for his efforts and community involvement. For his contributions to Armenian causes, Geragos received the Professional of the Year award from the Armenian Society in 2004 and the Visionary Award from the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry in 2019, honoring his leadership in health initiatives and advocacy. He has also been inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, acknowledging his impact on trial advocacy through landmark verdicts and representations. Mark Geragos has significantly influenced civil litigation through his leadership in pioneering federal lawsuits addressing historical injustices, notably securing a $37.5 million settlement in cases against New York Life Insurance and Corporation for unpaid insurance policies linked to the , marking the oldest such resolved claims in U.S. history. These victories established precedents for pursuing reparations in long-dormant commercial disputes tied to genocidal events, demonstrating the viability of aggregating survivor claims against multinational corporations and prompting similar efforts in international accountability litigation. In criminal defense, Geragos advanced evidentiary standards by securing two consecutive dismissals of murder charges through rigorous challenges to flawed eyewitness identification, with one case resulting in a $1.7 million settlement against the City of Glendale for investigative misconduct. His strategies underscored systemic vulnerabilities in reliance on eyewitness testimony, contributing to heightened judicial scrutiny of such evidence in subsequent cases and reinforcing defense tactics that prioritize forensic re-examination over presumptive guilt. Geragos's dual proficiency in criminal and civil arenas—one of only two attorneys, alongside , named Lawyer of the Year in both—has modeled versatile trial practice, influencing peers to integrate aggressive cross-disciplinary approaches in high-stakes representations. Recognized among 's "100 Most Influential Attorneys" for three consecutive years by California Law Business Magazine, his firm, Geragos & Geragos, exemplifies a model emphasizing defenses and civil rights, while his lectures on media-law dynamics and law review contributions have shaped practitioner awareness of publicity's impact on trial fairness.

References

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