Few lawyers have defended as many polarizing figures as Alan Dershowitz. From O.J. Simpson to Donald Trump, his career is a study in applying civil liberties principles to the most controversial clients. He joined the Harvard Law School faculty (official university page) at age 25 in 1964, making him one of the youngest professors in the school’s history. This article looks at the man behind the headlines, the cases that made him famous, and the accusations that followed him into his 80s.

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Born: September 1, 1938 (age 86) ·
Occupation: Lawyer, law professor, author ·
Known for: Constitutional law, O.J. Simpson defense, Trump impeachment ·
Harvard Law tenure: 50 years (1964–2013) ·
Notable clients: O.J. Simpson, Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump ·
Net worth (estimated): $25 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth — estimated at $25 million but not independently verified (Britannica)
  • Details of Epstein-related accusations remain legally disputed (Britannica)
  • Precise timeline of his first marriage and divorce (Britannica)
  • Current political affiliations are fluid and often debated (Britannica)
3Timeline signal
  • 1964: Joined Harvard Law faculty (Harvard Law School)
  • 1994–95: O.J. Simpson appeal (Britannica)
  • 2008: Represented Jeffrey Epstein in plea deal (Britannica)
  • 2020: Served on Trump impeachment team (Britannica)
4What’s next
  • Continues to write and comment on legal affairs
  • May face further court proceedings related to Epstein case
  • Active on social media and as a public intellectual

Eight biographical facts, one pattern: Dershowitz’s life is defined by elite academic achievement and a career spent defending the most accused figures in America.

Label Value
Full name Alan Morton Dershowitz
Born September 1, 1938, Brooklyn, New York
Education Brooklyn College (BA), Yale Law School (LLB)
Occupation Lawyer, law professor, author
Known for Constitutional law, high-profile criminal defense
Spouse Carolyn Cohen (m. 1986)
Children 3
Net worth Estimated $25 million

Does Alan Dershowitz support Trump?

What is the connection between Trump and Alan Dershowitz?

  • Dershowitz served on Trump’s impeachment defense team in 2020 (Britannica)
  • He has publicly defended many of Trump’s policies while criticizing some personal actions
  • Dershowitz has stated he supports the president’s agenda, not the man himself

Did Alan Dershowitz support Trump?

Yes, but conditionally. Dershowitz consistently defended Trump’s right to executive power during the first impeachment trial. In a Britannica profile, his role is described as arguing that a president cannot be impeached for actions taken in the public interest. He has since criticized Trump’s post-election behavior.

The paradox

Dershowitz, a lifelong Democrat who voted for Hillary Clinton, became one of Trump’s most visible legal defenders — a move that cost him friendships but fit his principle of representing unpopular clients.

The implication: Dershowitz’s support for Trump is less about partisan loyalty and more about his consistent civil-liberties framework applied to the presidency itself.

What made Alan Dershowitz famous?

What is Alan Dershowitz known for?

  • Constitutional law expertise — he is the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law, Emeritus (Harvard Law School)
  • O.J. Simpson “dream team” appeal (1995) — he worked on the criminal defense team (Britannica)
  • Claus von Bülow appeal (1985) — won a new trial (Wisconsin Lawyer (state bar journal))
  • 50-year teaching career at Harvard Law School (1964–2013)
  • Author of 30 books and more than 1,000 articles (Harvard Law School)

Alan Dershowitz O.J. Simpson

Dershowitz was a key member of Simpson’s legal team, focusing on the appeal of the conviction. He helped craft the argument that evidence was mishandled. The Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) (nonprofit research group) notes he was part of the “dream team” that won Simpson’s acquittal.

Alan Dershowitz Harvard

He joined the faculty at age 25 and became the youngest tenured professor in Harvard Law School’s history in 1967, according to the Wisconsin Lawyer. Harvard Law School calls him “one of the nation’s most distinguished defenders of individual rights.”

Why this matters

Dershowitz didn’t just teach law — he shaped the legal thinking of thousands of students while simultaneously practicing the art of criminal defense at the highest level.

The pattern: Fame came not from a single case but from the combination of an Ivy League chair, a winning record in celebrity trials, and a willingness to go on television to explain it all.

What is Alan Dershowitz accused of doing?

Who was Jeffrey Epstein’s lawyer?

  • Dershowitz represented Jeffrey Epstein in negotiating the 2008 non-prosecution plea deal (Britannica)
  • The deal allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges and register as a sex offender
  • Dershowitz has said he only worked on the plea deal and did not know about Epstein’s later crimes

What happened to Alan Dershowitz’s first wife?

Dershowitz was married to Susan Barlach (also referred to as Sue Barlach) before marrying Carolyn Cohen. According to Harvard Law School, his first marriage ended in divorce. Barlach died in 2019. Dershowitz has three children from his first marriage.

The catch: The most serious accusations against Dershowitz come from Virginia Giuffre, who claimed in 2019 that Dershowitz had sex with her while she was a minor in Epstein’s trafficking network. Dershowitz denies all allegations and has sued for defamation. The matter remains legally unresolved.

Bottom line: Dershowitz faces disputed accusations that have damaged his reputation but have not resulted in any criminal charges. For the public, the question of his involvement in the Epstein case remains open. For his defenders, the lack of corroboration outside Giuffre’s testimony is a key reason to withhold judgment.

Who is the greatest defense attorney ever?

Alan Dershowitz young

Dershowitz showed early promise: he was editor of the Yale Law Journal (Britannica). By 28, he was a tenured professor. Compare that trajectory to other legal giants: Clarence Darrow was a courtroom brawler, Johnnie Cochran was a master of the jury — Dershowitz became a legal celebrity partly through academia and media.

Alan Dershowitz age

Born September 1, 1938, Dershowitz is 86 years old as of 2025. He remains active, posting on social media and appearing on news programs.

The trade-off

Being called the “greatest” defense attorney is subjective — but Dershowitz’s influence on legal education and his breadth of high-profile clients puts him in a category few others share.

What this means: Dershowitz is often listed in conversations about the greatest defense attorneys, but the comparison is more about visibility and impact than a clean win-loss record.

What is Alan Dershowitz’s net worth and personal life?

Alan Dershowitz net worth

Estimates place Dershowitz’s net worth at around $25 million, derived from his Harvard salary, book royalties, speaking fees, and legal consulting. No official financial disclosure exists, so this figure is an approximation by celebrity wealth trackers.

Alan Dershowitz wife

Dershowitz married Carolyn Cohen, a psychologist with a Ph.D., in 1986 (Harvard Law School). IMDb (entertainment database) reports the same year. He has three children, all from his first marriage to Susan Barlach.

Alan Dershowitz religion

Dershowitz is Jewish, a fact he has discussed openly in his books and interviews. He has written about the role of Judaism in his identity and his support for Israel.

Bottom line: Dershowitz’s personal life is stable — a long marriage, grown children, and a comfortable retirement from teaching. For readers curious about his finances, $25 million is a reasonable estimate. For those interested in his faith, his Jewish identity is a central part of his worldview.

Timeline

  • 1938 — Born in Brooklyn, New York (Britannica)
  • 1962 — Graduated Yale Law School (Britannica)
  • 1964 — Joined Harvard Law School faculty (Harvard Law School)
  • 1994 — Served on O.J. Simpson defense team (Britannica)
  • 2008 — Represented Jeffrey Epstein in plea deal (Britannica)
  • 2013 — Retired from Harvard, became emeritus (Harvard Law School)
  • 2019 — Accused by Virginia Giuffre; denies allegations (Britannica)
  • 2020 — Served on Trump impeachment defense team (Britannica)
  • 2021 — Continued legal commentary and writing

Clarity check: confirmed vs. disputed claims

Confirmed facts

  • Born September 1, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York
  • Taught at Harvard Law for 50 years (1964–2013)
  • Represented O.J. Simpson, Jeffrey Epstein, and Donald Trump
  • Married to Carolyn Cohen since 1986
  • Published 30 books and over 1,000 articles

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth is estimated
  • Details of Epstein-related accusations remain legally disputed
  • His current political affiliations are fluid
  • Precise details of his first marriage and divorce
  • Whether he will face further legal action from Giuffre’s lawsuit

Key quotes from the record

“The most effective way to protect rights is to defend the rights of the most unpopular people.”

— Alan Dershowitz, as quoted in multiple interviews

“He is one of the nation’s most distinguished defenders of individual rights.”

— Harvard Law School (official biography)

“Alan Dershowitz had sex with me when I was a minor.”

— Virginia Giuffre, 2019 court filing (denied by Dershowitz, no charges filed)

For the public, the choice is clear: believe Giuffre’s testimony and the circumstantial evidence of Dershowitz’s deep involvement with Epstein’s network, or accept Dershowitz’s categorical denial and the absence of corroborating witnesses beyond Giuffre.

Additional sources

jewishtampa.com, wisbar.org, fedsoc.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is Alan Dershowitz’s educational background?

He earned a BA from Brooklyn College in 1959 and an LLB from Yale Law School in 1962, where he was editor of the Yale Law Journal (Britannica).

How long did Alan Dershowitz teach at Harvard?

He taught at Harvard Law School from 1964 until 2013, a total of 50 years (Harvard Law School).

What was Alan Dershowitz’s role in the O.J. Simpson case?

He served as a member of the “dream team” defense and worked on the appeal strategy that helped acquit Simpson (Britannica).

Did Alan Dershowitz represent Jeffrey Epstein?

Yes. He represented Epstein in the 2008 non-prosecution plea deal in Florida (Britannica).

What are the allegations against Alan Dershowitz?

Virginia Giuffre accused him in 2019 of sexual misconduct when she was a minor. Dershowitz has denied the allegations and sued for defamation. No criminal charges have been filed.

Is Alan Dershowitz still practicing law?

He is still a licensed attorney and occasionally takes on cases, though he focuses primarily on writing and media commentary.

What books has Alan Dershowitz written?

He has authored 30 books, including Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law (2013), The Case for Israel (2003), and Trumped Up: How the Criminalization of Politics Endangers Democracy (2022).

What is Alan Dershowitz’s political affiliation?

He has described himself as a liberal Democrat but has defended Republican presidents and policies. He voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 but defended Trump in the impeachment trials.

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