Civil rights will always be a hot topic not just within the community but across the country. Sadly, while some strides have been made to create true equality and justice, countless incidents occur across the country that reminds society of how much further there is to go. In particular, when these situations arise victims need a voice that will speak up for them, demand accountability, and shine a spotlight on all the ways that America is not living up to its potential. Ben Crump is one of those voices.
Ben Crump is a civil rights and personal injury attorney and civil rights activist. He rose to prominence after he took the Trayvon Martin case where the youth was fatally shot by neighborhood vigilante, George Zimmerman. Since then, the attorney has taken on many high-profile cases that frequently center around racial brutality. Given his high-profile status, how much is this legal eagle worth?
Ben Crump’s Early Life
Ben Crump’s early life before passing the bar exam is fairly quiet. He was born in Lumberton, North Carolina in 1969 and is the oldest of nine children. This includes step-siblings as well. By the time he was a teenager, he relocated to Florida where he attended South Plantation High School. After graduating, he went on to attend Florida State University for both his undergraduate and law degrees. He graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 1995 and began practicing law in Florida shortly thereafter.
Ben Crump Builds A Social Justice Reputation
While Ben Crump was actively practicing law after graduation, he would not fall onto the radar of the national collective until 2002 when he represented the family of Genie McMeans, Jr. McMeans was a Black driver who was shot and killed after being stopped by a white state trooper. Five years later, Crump represented the family of Martin Lee Anderson after he was beaten to death by guards at a Florida youth detention center.
Trayvon Martin And National Recognition
In 2012, Ben Crump agreed to represent the family of Trayvon Martin, a teenager who was stalked and shot dead by Zimmerman. Although Zimmerman was ultimately acquitted in that case, the national attention the legal proceedings received skyrocketed Crump’s profile as a formidable civil rights litigator. This led to a continued series of high-profile cases that frequently hinged on police or racial brutality against typically Black plaintiffs. Other cases in Ben Crump’s docket included representing Ronald Weekly Jr. in 2012, Alesia Thomas in the same year, Michael Brown in 2014, and Antonio Zambrano-Montes in 2014.
Ben Crump Opens His Own Law Firm
In 2017, Ben Crump announced that he was opening his own law firm, Ben Crump PLLC. The firm continues to prioritize brutality (both racial and from police) as well as wrongful death lawsuits. In particular, shortly after launching the new firm, Crump represented the family of Zeke Upshaw, an NBA G League player who collapsed during a game where the NBA paramedics failed to render timely medical attention.
Notable cases he has taken on or is actively litigating under his law firm or as co-counsel include the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Henrietta Lacks, several victims of the Buffalo May 2022 shooting, Randy Cox, Patrick Lyoya and Tyre Nichols.
Putting A Spotlight On Social Injustices
Along with representing specific cases that centered on social injustice or police brutality, Ben Crump also expanded his focus to include highlighting injustices perpetrated against communities. For example, in 2019 Crump teamed up with Pintas & Mullins — a law firm — to hold a series of rallies in Flint, Michigan to continue to highlight the water inequality that continues to be an issue.
In the same year, he also represented several clients in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. That suit was brought because of claims that the multinational conglomerate knowingly continued to promote its talc powder products even though they were linked to ovarian cancer risks and had been tied to several of his clients’ ovarian cancer diagnoses.
Ben Crump’s Current Net Worth
As of July 2024, Ben Crump has an estimated net worth of $10 million. Yes indeed, an significant portion of his financial wealth steers from his legal career but Crump also earns substantial income through: book deals, speaking engagements, and media appearances. His relentless pursuit of justice and the impact he has made on civil rights cases have undoubtedly contributed to his financial success. Note that for many of his cases, he does not work on retainer. Instead, he receives compensation after the case is settled.
