In the realm of law, the title of “best attorney” is often associated with high-profile cases and courtroom victories. But true legal mastery delves far deeper than publicized wins or celebrity clients. It involves reshaping justice systems, redefining social norms, and pushing the boundaries of what the law can achieve. This article examines four of the most influential attorneys in modern legal history—Thurgood Marshall, Amal Clooney, Shirin Ebadi, and Michael Mansfield—each of whom has transformed not only the legal landscapes in which they worked but also the societies they aimed to change. We’ll explore their profound impact on law, their strategic use of legal principles, and their relentless fight against entrenched power systems.
1. Thurgood Marshall: Architect of Civil Rights
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Thurgood Marshall is best remembered for his role in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. However, to fully appreciate Marshall’s legal genius, one must understand his strategic long-term vision. His work didn’t begin or end with Brown. Marshall, as lead counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, spent years orchestrating a series of victories that slowly dismantled the legal framework of segregation.
Before Brown, he argued cases like Sweatt v. Painter (1950) and McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents (1950), which questioned segregation in higher education. Marshall knew that direct confrontation with public school segregation would be premature without first weakening the legal foundation of “separate but equal” (a legal doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson). His brilliance lay in his methodical approach—leveraging incremental wins to build legal precedents that would culminate in the landmark ruling in Brown.
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What made Marshall’s strategy so effective was his understanding that law doesn’t change society in sweeping motions, but in carefully calculated steps. His cases weren’t just about securing education for Black Americans—they were about forcing the U.S. legal system to reckon with the inherent contradiction between segregation and the Constitution’s promise of equal protection under the law (14th Amendment). Marshall recognized that the courts, especially the U.S. Supreme Court, could be used as instruments of social change when public opinion and legislative reform were inadequate.
2. Amal Clooney: A New Vision for International Law
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Amal Clooney’s work in international human rights law has garnered global attention, but her true contribution lies in her reimagining of how international law can function in an increasingly globalized world. International law has historically been criticized for its inability to enforce rulings, particularly against powerful states or non-state actors. Clooney, however, has leveraged her cases—like that of Nadia Murad, a Yazidi survivor of ISIS captivity (documented in Murad’s memoir The Last Girl)—to push the boundaries of what international law can achieve.
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Clooney’s strategy transcends the courtroom. In cases like Murad’s, she isn’t merely seeking legal recourse for her clients. She’s using the platform to force international bodies—such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC)—to confront the failures of global governance in addressing atrocities like genocide. Clooney’s approach is layered: she combines legal advocacy with media attention, rallying public opinion to pressure international bodies into action. In her work representing Yazidi victims, for example, Clooney has pushed for ISIS members to be tried for genocide, using international legal norms that historically have been difficult to enforce.
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For those interested in pursuing international law, Clooney’s work highlights the importance of understanding not only legal systems but also the geopolitical landscapes in which those systems operate. Advocates must learn to use legal forums, media, and diplomacy in tandem to achieve broader goals. Aspiring attorneys in this field should study international treaties, human rights conventions, and the mechanisms available to bring non-state actors to justice. This requires an intimate knowledge of institutions like the ICC, the European Court of Human Rights, and U.N. bodies.
3. Shirin Ebadi: Fighting Oppression with the Law
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Shirin Ebadi, the first Muslim woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, is an example of an attorney who fought for justice from within one of the world’s most repressive legal systems. As an attorney in Iran, Ebadi worked tirelessly to defend women’s rights, children’s rights, and political prisoners, often at great personal risk. In a regime where the law was weaponized to suppress dissent, Ebadi used legal principles drawn from Iran’s own constitution and international treaties—such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)—to expose the contradictions within the Iranian legal system.
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Ebadi’s legal philosophy was built on a nuanced understanding of Iran’s legal and political structure. She knew that direct confrontation with the Iranian regime was dangerous and, more often than not, futile. Instead, she worked within the system, using its own legal tools to hold it accountable. This involved challenging the regime’s interpretation of Islamic law (Sharia) by arguing that the rights enshrined in Iran’s constitution and international human rights law were not inherently contradictory. Her work exemplifies how attorneys can use the law to subvert oppressive systems from within.
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For attorneys working in repressive regimes, Ebadi’s career offers several lessons. First, it’s crucial to know the limits of the legal system while still pushing for justice. This requires a deep understanding of both domestic law and international norms. Second, lawyers must be prepared to face significant personal risk when challenging state power. Finally, collaboration with international bodies (such as the United Nations or human rights NGOs) is essential in amplifying domestic cases on the global stage.
4. Michael Mansfield: Holding Power to Account
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Michael Mansfield is one of the U.K.’s most famous barristers, known for representing victims of state abuses, from the Guildford Four to the Hillsborough disaster victims. His career has been dedicated to uncovering systemic injustices, often in cases where the state has attempted to cover up wrongdoing. For example, his work in the Guildford Four case, in which four individuals were wrongfully convicted of IRA bombings, helped expose widespread police misconduct and led to their exoneration after 15 years of wrongful imprisonment (Grosvenor, Ian. “Contested Spaces: Cultural Representations of Injustice in the Irish Postcolonial Context.” 2017).
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Mansfield’s legal approach is centered on skepticism of power and a refusal to accept official narratives at face value. His ability to dissect and expose institutional failures has reshaped how the British public views both law enforcement and the justice system. His cases, from Hillsborough to Stephen Lawrence’s murder, highlight systemic flaws in police investigations and the broader judicial process. These weren’t just about achieving justice for individual clients—they were about forcing systemic reform. Mansfield’s legacy lies in his role as a catalyst for institutional change, constantly challenging the mechanisms that protect power rather than the people.
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For those looking to emulate Mansfield’s career, it’s critical to develop a deep understanding of criminal law and human rights. Aspiring attorneys should cultivate investigative skills, learning how to work with journalists, NGOs, and independent investigators to expose injustices. Furthermore, understanding public interest law and how to build cases that push for systemic change is essential. This often involves a willingness to take on unpopular causes and a relentless dedication to uncovering the truth, even when it’s buried beneath layers of bureaucracy or state power.
FAQs
1. What makes an attorney one of the “best” in the world?
An attorney’s greatness is not merely about courtroom victories. It’s about using the law as a transformative tool to challenge entrenched systems, reshape legal principles, and push society toward justice. The best attorneys influence societal change, often working within complex legal systems to expose their flaws and drive reform.
2. How can attorneys like Amal Clooney hold non-state actors accountable in international law?
Attorneys like Clooney leverage international legal frameworks such as the Rome Statute (which established the International Criminal Court) and treaties like the Genocide Convention (1948). They also work with international institutions, media, and public diplomacy to put pressure on both states and non-state actors, raising the political cost of inaction.
3. How did Thurgood Marshall strategically dismantle segregation in the U.S.?
Marshall’s approach was incremental. He first focused on less controversial areas of segregation, like higher education, to build legal precedents. His ultimate goal, Brown v. Board of Education, was supported by earlier victories that eroded the doctrine of “separate but equal” and exposed its inherent contradictions with the Constitution.
4. How do attorneys fight systemic oppression from within repressive regimes, as Shirin Ebadi did?
Attorneys like Ebadi use the law strategically, working within the system to expose its contradictions. This involves leveraging international treaties and the regime’s own legal commitments to argue for human rights, while carefully navigating the political risks involved in such advocacy.
5. How do legal advocates for social justice, like Michael Mansfield, create systemic change?
Attorneys like Mansfield focus on uncovering institutional failings, such as police misconduct or government cover-ups. They often take on unpopular cases to expose how power systems protect themselves at the expense of justice. Their work pushes for legal and institutional reforms that benefit broader society.
Conclusion
The greatest attorneys don’t simply win cases—they reshape the law itself. Through strategic litigation, public advocacy, and sheer moral courage,
figures like Thurgood Marshall, Amal Clooney, Shirin Ebadi, and Michael Mansfield have redefined the role of the attorney in modern society. They show that the law can be a living force, capable of bending toward justice in the hands of those with the skill, vision, and tenacity to wield it. These attorneys serve as beacons for future generations, illustrating that the pursuit of justice is not just about legal victories, but about challenging the very structures that govern society.
