Leslie Abramson has become a focal point as the case of the Menendez brothers gains renewed attention, first with Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and now with the release of their documentary, The Menendez Brothers, on Netflix.
Born in 1943 in Queens, N.Y., Abramson attended law school at UCLA and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1970. In 1996, the Los Angeles Times described her as a “4-foot-11, fire-eating, mud-slinging, nuclear-strength pain in the legal butt.” Abramson embraced this characterization, telling The Washington Post that same year, “My role model is Joan of Arc, and anyone else who’s been burned at the stake.”
Throughout her career, Abramson gained exposure to a variety of cases and developed invaluable courtroom skills. She earned recognition for her persistence and dedication to her clients, and the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Bar Association named her Trial Lawyer of the Year.
What Is Leslie Abramson’s Net Worth?
The American criminal defense attorney best known for her role in the legal defense of Lyle and Erik Menendez is estimated to have a net worth between $3 million and $5 million.
In the aftermath of their parents’ deaths in 1989, the Menendez brothers temporarily took control of their father’s estate, valued at approximately $14.5 million. However, after their arrest seven months later, much of the money from José’s estate was consumed by taxes and legal fees. By 1994, it was reported that $10.8 million had been spent from the estate—just two years before the brothers were sentenced to life in prison. About half of that amount went toward their legal fees, including those of Abramson, who argued that José and Kitty had subjected their sons to years of emotional and sexual abuse.
What Cases Has Abramson Worked On?
Abramson began her legal career at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, where she worked for six years, earning a respectable salary of over $100,000 during that time.
Before representing the Menendez brothers, Abramson was involved in several high-profile cases. In 1988, she served as the defense lawyer for 17-year-old Arnel Salvatierra, who was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter (reduced from the original first-degree murder charge) after shooting his father three times in the face. Thanks to Abramson’s argument that Salvatierra was a victim of child abuse, he was acquitted in 1989 and given five years of probation.
She also represented Dr. Khalid Parwez, a Pakistani-born gynecologist arrested in 1987 for allegedly strangling and dismembering his 11-year-old son amid a custody battle. The jury found him not guilty in 1990.
After the Menendez trials, Abramson returned to the courtroom in 2004 to represent music producer Phil Spector, who was accused of killing actress Lana Clarkson. She later resigned from the case for “ethical reasons,” according to CBS News, and Spector was convicted of murder in 2009.
When Did Abramson Retire?
Throughout her career, Abramson defended more than 50 people accused of murder and published a book in 1997 titled The Defense Is Ready: Life in the Trenches of Criminal Law before retiring. She officially stepped away from practicing law in 2013; however, according to the State Bar of California, her legal license remained active until 2023.
At 81, Abramson now resides in California. She moved into her home with her second husband, Los Angeles Times reporter Tim Rutten, in 2001. According to the Times, the 3,200-square-foot property features a large yard and a pool. Court documents reveal that she filed for divorce from Rutten in 2007.
If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).