David Boies Net Worth

David Boies’ Net Worth: A Look at the Career and Controversies of the Renowned Lawyer

David Boies is a highly acclaimed American lawyer, author, and film producer. Known for his involvement in some of the most significant legal battles of our time, he has built a considerable net worth of $50 million. This article delves into the life, career, and controversies surrounding David Boies, providing an in-depth look at his impact on the legal and cultural landscape.

Early Life and Education

David Boies was born on March 11, 1941, in Sycamore, Illinois. He was raised in a farming community with four siblings by two teachers. His early life instilled a strong work ethic, as evidenced by his first job – a paper route, which he started at the young age of 10. In 1954, the family relocated to California, where Boies attended Fullerton Union High School. He showed academic promise early on, leading him to pursue higher education. He spent two years at the University of Redlands before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University in 1964. Boies further honed his academic skills at Yale Law School, graduating magna cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree in 1966. He later earned a Master of Laws degree from the New York University School of Law the following year. In 2000, the University of Redlands awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, acknowledging his exceptional achievements and contributions to the field of law.

Career and Notable Cases

David Boies’ legal career is marked by a series of high-profile cases that have shaped American legal history. He began his professional journey as an attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a partner in 1973. However, his independent spirit led him to leave the firm in 1997 after a disagreement over representing the New York Yankees. This pivotal moment led him to establish his own law firm with Jonathan Schiller, an endeavor that would significantly impact his career. His impressive track record includes defending IBM against the Justice Department, representing the Justice Department against Microsoft in a landmark antitrust case, and representing Al Gore in the contentious Bush v. Gore case following the 2000 presidential election. Boies also defended Napster against the RIAA, represented Andrew Fastow of Enron, and acted for the National Basketball Players Association during the 2011 NBA lockout. In 2000, “Time” magazine recognized his contributions and named him “Lawyer of the Year.”

Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP

In 1997, David Boies, along with Jonathan Schiller, established their own law firm, which has since evolved into Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP. The firm has earned a strong reputation and, in 2019, was recognized on Vault.com’s “Vault Law 100” list (ranked #23), “Best Law Firms for Appellate Litigation” list (ranked #7), and “Best Law Firms for General Commercial Litigation” list (ranked #8). The firm has consistently generated substantial revenue, with some years exceeding $100 million in billings. Moreover, its success is further demonstrated by impressive average profits per partner, which have surpassed $3 million in recent years.

Criticism and Controversies

Despite his successful career, David Boies has faced criticism for representing controversial figures. His defense of Harvey Weinstein and Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, among others, has drawn scrutiny. In the cases of Weinstein, Boies and his firm were accused of acting as a “bully” while Weinstein was accused of sexual assault. They were involved in negotiating victim settlements, even as Boies attended celebrity events with Weinstein. The firm’s aggressive tactics in defense of Holmes and Theranos, including alleged bullying of journalists and employees, have also sparked controversy. These actions have led to questions about ethical boundaries and the implications of defending those with tarnished reputations.

Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes

In 2016, David Boies took on the role of attorney for Theranos and became a member of the company’s board of directors. Theranos, a Silicon Valley startup founded by Elizabeth Holmes, promised revolutionary blood-testing technology. The company’s value at its peak was estimated in the billions, and Boies was awarded 400,000 company shares for his work. The shares were once valued at $7 million. However, Theranos was later embroiled in scandal, accused of fraud, and ultimately collapsed. The story of Theranos was told in the 2022 miniseries “The Dropout,” in which Kurtwood Smith portrayed David Boies. The Theranos case highlights the complex dynamics of high-stakes litigation, the allure of innovation, and the potential consequences of ethical breaches.

Personal Life

David Boies has been married three times. His first marriage was to Caryl Louise Elwell from 1959 to 1963, followed by a marriage to Judith Lynn Daynard from 1966 to 1974. He has been married to fellow attorney Mary Ann McInnis since August 21, 1982. They have six children together. Boies’ daughter, Mary Boies, is married to actor Noah Emmerich. In addition to his legal prowess, Boies has some unique personal characteristics. He is dyslexic and did not learn to read until the third grade. He is also reported to have a photographic memory that enables him to recall exact texts, legal exhibits, and page numbers. Boies owns the Hawk and Horse Vineyards in Lower Lake, California, which is CCOF Organic certified and DEMETER BIODYNAMIC certified. This blend of legal expertise and personal interests showcases a well-rounded individual.

Philanthropy

David and Mary Boies have demonstrated a strong commitment to philanthropy. They established the Mary and David Boies Fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School, which supports students from Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, and the former Soviet Union countries in Central Asia. They are also supporters of the Central European and Eurasian Law Institute. The couple has hosted an annual picnic for New York City’s new Teach for America corps at their home, and they donated $5 million to New York’s Northern Westchester Hospital. The couple’s generosity extends to educational institutions as well. A position at the New York University School of Law is named the “David Boies Professor of Law.” Furthermore, they contributed $1.5 million to establish the “David Boies Distinguished Chair in Law” at the Tulane University Law School. Yale Law School also has a position known as the “David Boies Chair.” David and Mary established the “Maurice Greenberg Chair” there as well, and they endowed a chair at David’s alma mater, the University of Redlands. Their philanthropic efforts reflect their commitment to education, international relations, and community well-being.

Awards and Honors

David Boies has received many awards and honors for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession. In 2014, the American Academy of Achievement presented him with the Golden Plate Award, recognizing individuals with exceptional accomplishments in various fields. In 2019, Boies won a Christopher Award as an executive producer of the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” These accolades acknowledge Boies’ expertise and accomplishments both within and beyond the legal realm.

Real Estate Holdings

The Boies family has engaged in real estate ventures. In 2013, David and Mary bought a 2,175-square-foot Malibu home from Mary’s aunt and uncle. They renovated the property but never lived in it. In October 2020, they put the three-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home on the market for $4.75 million. The listing described the property as “beach living with the sophistication of modern architecture.” In late 2020, the couple listed their Northern California ranch, which spans 1,100 acres, for $23 million. The price was later lowered to $18 million, but as of the writing of this article, a buyer had not been found. They purchased the most undeveloped part of the ranch in the 1990s and built six structures on it. Here is a video tour.