Many aspiring lawyers assume that a high LSAT score is essential for success, but history proves otherwise. Some of the most renowned attorneys overcame low LSAT scores to build remarkable legal careers through perseverance, skill, and determination. This article highlights famous lawyers who defied the odds, proving that test scores don’t define one’s potential in the legal profession.
While LSAT scores are rarely made public, many successful lawyers struggled with standardized tests or law school performance but still built remarkable careers. Here’s a list of 15 lawyers who prove that a low LSAT score or a rocky start in law school doesn’t define success:
Gerry Spence – One of the most famous trial lawyers in America, Spence never lost a criminal case. He was rejected from his first-choice law school but went on to have an illustrious legal career.
Johnnie Cochran – Best known for leading O.J. Simpson’s defense, Cochran’s charisma and courtroom skills made him a legendary trial attorney. While his LSAT score was fairly low compared to some peers, his talent clearly outweighed any standardized test struggles.
F. Lee Bailey – A high-profile defense attorney who worked on cases like the O.J. Simpson trial and the Boston Strangler case, Bailey struggled with academic discipline early on but became one of the most famous litigators in history.
Richard “Racehorse” Haynes – A renowned Texas defense attorney known for his aggressive trial tactics, Haynes admitted that he wasn’t a great student but made up for it with sheer courtroom talent.
Paul M. Barrett – A successful journalist and lawyer, Barrett struggled in law school but later became a top legal analyst and author.
Howard K. Stern – The lawyer for Anna Nicole Smith, Stern didn’t attend a top-tier law school, yet he became well-known in the entertainment and legal world.
Leslie Abramson – A fierce criminal defense attorney famous for representing Erik and Lyle Menendez, Abramson was not known for her academic achievements but became one of the most respected lawyers in her field.
Roy Cohn – Although controversial, Cohn became one of the most powerful attorneys in New York despite reports that he was not an exceptional student.
Gerry Goldstein – A nationally recognized criminal defense attorney, Goldstein overcame academic struggles to become one of the most respected names in the field.
Mark Geragos – A well-known celebrity attorney who represented Michael Jackson and Chris Brown, Geragos has been open about the fact that traditional academic metrics don’t always define a lawyer’s success.
Clarence Darrow – One of the most famous defense attorneys in U.S. history, known for the Scopes Monkey Trial and Leopold & Loeb case. Darrow attended the University of Michigan Law School but dropped out before finishing. His legal brilliance came from experience, not academic achievement.
Vincent Bugliosi – The prosecutor in the Charles Manson trial, Bugliosi became famous for his courtroom skills rather than his law school performance. He graduated from UCLA Law but was more known for his relentless work ethic than his test scores.
William Kunstler – A radical civil rights attorney, Kunstler defended clients like the Chicago Seven. His law school record was not particularly outstanding, but his passion and advocacy made him one of the most famous lawyers of his era.
Gloria Allred – One of the most well-known women’s rights attorneys, Allred attended Loyola Law School but has never been defined by academic accolades. Her real strength lies in media-savvy legal strategy and high-profile advocacy.
Melvin Belli – Known as the “King of Torts,” Belli revolutionized personal injury law. He struggled with academics early on but became one of the most famous trial lawyers in history, winning major cases with his theatrical courtroom style.
These lawyers prove that while the LSAT and law school performance matter, they don’t determine one’s ability to succeed in the legal world. Skills like courtroom presence, strategy, and perseverance often play a much bigger role.
If you want to increase your chances of scoring high on the exam, you may want to consider investing in a LSAT prep course to help you get ready. Companies such Princeton Review, Blueprint, and Kaplan provide stellar LSAT study materials to help you prepare.
A good lawyer isn’t made by a test score—they’re made by their ability to think fast, argue smart, and stay cool under pressure. The best attorneys are master storytellers who can take a pile of messy facts and turn them into a winning narrative. They’ve got grit, meaning they don’t back down when the case gets tough, and they know how to read people just as well as they read legal briefs.
Creativity is a secret weapon too—sometimes the best legal strategy isn’t the obvious one. At the end of the day, being a great lawyer is less about how you scored on the LSAT and more about how well you fight for your clients, no matter what.
Great lawyers also have a deep sense of integrity—whether they’re defending a client in court or negotiating a tough deal, their reputation is everything. And let’s not forget adaptability—laws change, cases take unexpected turns, and the best attorneys know how to pivot without losing their edge.
In the real world, success in law comes down to skill, persistence, and the ability to outthink the competition, not just a number on a test.
The LSAT is a strong predictor of first-year law school performance but does not necessarily determine long-term success as a lawyer. Many successful attorneys have compensated for low LSAT scores with strong work ethic, networking, practical skills, and real-world legal experience.
Yes, there are successful lawyers who scored poorly on the LSAT but went on to have thriving legal careers, including some who later became judges, politicians, and prominent attorneys. Success in law often depends more on persistence, practical skills, and legal acumen than on a single standardized test score.
