Executive Committee
- Gloria Allred
- Sam Bernstein
- Roy Black
- Benjamin Brafman
- Joseph Bruno
- Michael Burg
- Fernando Chavez
- Sam Cherry
- Ernest Cory
- Grant Davis
- Morris Dees
- Tom Demetrio
- Tim Dollar
- William Edwards
- Robert Eglet
- Geoffrey Fieger
- George Fleming
- Mark Geragos
- Tom Girardi
- Keith Givens
- Maurice Graham
- Edward Hershewe
- Ed Hill
- Len Jacoby
- Lynn Johnson
- Gail Koff
- Mark Kosieradzki
- Mark Lanier
- Fred Levin
- Ramon Lopez
- Tom Mesereau
- Robert Michael
- Sheldon Miller
- Billy Murphy
- Howard Nations
- Richard Newsome
- Brian Panish
- Jerry Parker
- Jim Parkman
- Darryl Phillips
- Dan Ramsdell
- Gary Robb
- Mark Robinson
- James Rolshouse
- John Romano
- James Roy
- Sheldon J. Schlesinger
- Derek Sells
- Hezekiah Sistrunk
- Jock Smith
- Stephen Smith
- Kent Spence
- Harvey Weitz
THOMAS MESEREAU
Attorney Thomas A. Mesereau, Jr. is best known for acquitting music legend Michael Jackson on all counts in a high profile jury trial in Santa Maria, California. This case generated more media attention around the world than any case in history. Jackson was acquitted of fourteen charges (ten felonies and four lesser-included misdemeanors).
Tom first gained national attention during a three-week televised preliminary hearing in the Robert Blake murder case. Celebrity actor Blake was facing murder with special circumstances, for which he could have faced the death penalty. Bail had never been granted in California in such a proceeding. Not only did Mesereau obtain bail for Blake, but the hearing resulted in the biggest public opinion switch in Court TV history – from 80% of viewers thinking Blake was guilty to 80% thinking he was innocent.
Mr. Mesereau has obtained acquittals in high profile cases ranging from securities fraud, health care fraud, business fraud, and sexual assault to murder. Tom’s team convinced a California district attorney’s office not to prosecute boxer Mike Tyson for sexual assault. He acquitted a Los Angeles celebrity newscaster of all counts of securities fraud in a twelve week jury trial in San Bernardino County, California. Mesereau volunteered for free to defend a homeless black man in Birmingham, Alabama who faced the death penalty in the murder of a beautiful white girl from a prominent family. He was acquitted. Mesereau also obtained an acquittal for a man who had spent six years on Alabama’s death row, convicted of a brutal double murder involving allegations of devil worship. Following a reversal of his convictions on a technicality, Mesereau stepped in and acquitted him on all counts.
In another high profile case in Bessemer, Alabama, Mesereau obtained a manslaughter conviction for a young girl facing the death penalty for allegedly beating her infant daughter to death. Since the Michael Jackson verdict, Mesereau has handled five capital murder cases. No one has been convicted of capital murder or placed on death row.
Mr. Mesereau is a partner with the firm of Mesereau & Yu, LLP in Los Angeles. Tom was educated at Harvard University (cum laude), The London School of Economics and The University of California’s Hastings College of Law.
Barbara Walters named him one of the year’s “Ten Most Fascinating People,”for his trial excellence and commitment to representing the underprivileged. GQ Magazine named him one of its “Men of the Year,” due to his determined effort, in the face of substantial obstacles, in the Michael Jackson case.
Mr. Mesereau has been selected by his peers as one of “The Best Lawyers in America.” Tom Mesereau has been listed as one of the “One Hundred Most Influential Attorneys in California”by the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He has received the “Jerry Giesler Memorial Award” from the Criminal Courts Bar Association of Los Angeles “. . . in recognition of his outstanding skill, perseverance and achievement in representing his clients in trial.”
Tom was also named the “Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year” by the Century City Bar Association, Los Angeles. California Lawyer Magazine has awarded Tom its highest award for excellence in criminal law. Tom’s alma mater, the University of California’s Hastings College of Law, has named him the “Alumnus of the Year”.
When he is not representing high-paying clients, Mr. Mesereau devotes a percentage of his life and practice to assisting the poor and neglected. Following the Michael Jackson victory, he started a free legal clinic for the poor in South Central Los Angeles. The clinic is named the “Mesereau – Ephriam – Villaraigosa Free Legal Clinic” of Brookins African Methodist Episcopal Church and is located at 1900 W. 48th Street, Los Angeles, California 90062 (www.mevfreelegalclinic.com). Judges, lawyers, law students, and college students donate their time with Mr. Mesereau to advise and assist the needy. Mr. Mesereau lectures high school students in an effort to reduce interracial violence at schools.
Mr. Mesereau has received numerous awards for his commitment to civil rights and, in particular, to helping inner city children. The National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice presented Tom with their “Humanitarian Award”. Tom has received the President’s Award from the U.S. Dream Academy, Washington, D.C., for his focus on inner city youth. He has received a Special Honor Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement for his civil rights work by St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, Nigeria. He received the prestigious Sankofa Award from the National Bar Association for legal leadership and excellence in civil rights. He has been repeatedly honored by the city and county of Los Angeles, and numerous churches. Tom marches each year with the Women of Watts and their children in support of their fight against gang violence.
The American Trial Lawyers Association
