Hip-Hop has been entrenched in the streets since its inception. And with that symbiotic connection often comes the repercussions of having one foot in the game and one foot in, let’s say, extracurricular activities. So, as the rapper became the new rock star with a lust for extravagant spending, lawyers became one of rap’s wisest investments.
The latest example arrived on Tuesday (Feb. 18) as A$AP Rocky was handed down a not-guilty verdict in his Hollywood assault case. Rocky could be seen emotional at the outcome, immediately hugging his family, Rihanna, and then his trusty attorney—Joe Tacopina. “Thank y’all for saving my life. Thank y’all for making the right decision,” Rocky told jurors as they exited the courtroom. The Harlemite then affectionately referred to his lawyer as “A$AP Joe” as they shared another hug during an impromptu press conference, christening the legal mind as family.
Various rappers across the genre share Rocky’s sentiments. From JAY-Z to Gunna, here are the most notable lawyers who successfully got rappers off on cases.
-
Nicole Moorman
Image Credit: Williams/WireImage Nicole Moorman is a criminal defense and personal injury attorney from Chicago. Hip-Hop fans may remember Moorman after she successfully got Lil Durk off the hook from his 2019 shooting case in 2022.
At the time, Durkio was hit with a plethora of charges, including aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, criminal attempt to commit murder, unlawful employment by/associated with a criminal street gang to conduct/participate in crime, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. However, Moorman worked to get the artist cleared of any wrongdoing.
-
Alex Spiro
Image Credit: Pool/Getty Images Alex Spiro most recently aided JAY-Z in fighting against Tony Buzbee’s now-dismissed lawsuit claiming he and Diddy sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 2000. Spiro initially started working with Hov and Roc Nation in 2019 to help 21 Savage, who was hit with illegal immigration charges, resulting in Savage getting his visa situation cleared up. Spiro also notably worked with Megan Thee Stallion in her infamous case against Tory Lanez.
-
Johnnie Cochran
Image Credit: Mecea/Newsmaker Johnnie Cochran needs no introduction. The late and acclaimed attorney successfully got off numerous rappers during his time in the courts, with clients including Snoop Dogg (1993 murder), Diddy (1999 gun charge), and Tupac Shakur (1996 weapons charge).
-
Drew Findling
Image Credit: Wargo/Getty Images for Billboard Drew Findling has been responsible for helping clear the names of rappers such as Gucci Mane and DaBaby. Findling was dubbed Atlanta’s “Billion Dollar Lawyer,” as per The New York Times, for his unmatched skill of getting rappers out of seemingly unwinnable jams. For his courtroom etiquette, Drew’s prowess has been described as a “witch doctor” and “the illest” attorney in the game, with Waka Flocka Flame—a previous client—even declaring he’s “damn near a therapist,” per Vice. But watch out; his son, Zack Findling, is slowly making a name for himself and could be another legal mind to pay attention to in the rap arena.
-
Joe Tacopina
Image Credit: Dinner-Pool/Getty Images Joe Tacopina is widely known as a savant within numerous political circles. But did you know he also has a solid footing in Hip-Hop? Named to Billboard’s 2018 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Player List, the Brooklyn-born attorney has represented figures like Swizz Beatz, Ne-Yo, Meek Mill, YG, and most notably A$AP Rocky—whom he helped beat a recent assault case.
-
Brian Steel
Image Credit: MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images Brian Steel is the lawyer who recently put on a masterclass to win Young Thug his freedom from that seemingly endless YSL case—the longest trial in Georgia state history, going for over 22 months. The win garnered Steel national recognition and even earned him a nod from Drake and PartyNextDoor through an eponymously named track.
-
Ryan Hayden Smith
Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot Remember the disaster that was Fyre Festival? Yeah, you probably wondered how Ja Rule skated away from that sh*tshow without a stain on him. Well, may we introduce you to Ryan Hayden Smith, an attorney at law. Smith’s claim to national fame was getting Rule off the hook in the FF case, somehow getting all 13 claims against the rapper dismissed.
-
Steve Sadow
Image Credit: Slitz-Pool/Getty Images Steve Sadow represents the other side of the YSL coin, helping free Gunna from the grasp of a potentially lengthy jail sentence. While netizens moved to label the Atlanta rapper a snitch or “a rat” for taking a plea deal, Sadow has worked tirelessly to clear his name in the digital streets.
“I was Gunna’s attorney, but I am NOT speaking on his behalf. This long post is solely to set out the truth. Gunna did NOT cooperate, and did NOTHING and said NOTHING to cause harm to Thug’s case. He spent 8 months in jail and was released in Dec. 2022 after entering an Alford plea,” the lawyer wrote in January. “Gunna’s plea could not and was not used at Thug’s trial and he was never even named as a witness. He received a 5-yr suspended sentence, with no reporting, no travel restrictions, no living restrictions, AND NO PROBATION.”
Sadow’s courtroom prowess has also been enlisted by the likes of Usher, T.I., Rick Ross, and Ty Dolla $ign.
Leave a comment