Alan Dershowitz

Alan Morton Dershowitz is an American lawyer, legal scholar, and professor emeritus at Harvard Law School, where he became one of the youngest full professors in the school's history at age 28. He is known for defending high-profile clients including O.J. Simpson, Mike Tyson, and Claus von Bülow. Dershowitz played a central dual role in the Epstein case: he served as part of Epstein's legal defense team that negotiated the controversial 2007 non-prosecution agreement, and he was separately accused by Virginia Giuffre of having sexual contact with her while she was underage. Dershowitz has vehemently denied Giuffre's allegations and counter-sued, claiming defamation. Giuffre's lawsuit against Dershowitz was settled in 2024, with Giuffre issuing a statement saying she "may have made a mistake" in identifying Dershowitz. He also served on Donald Trump's defense team during the first impeachment trial in 2020.

Born and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in an Orthodox Jewish family. Graduated from Brooklyn's Yeshiva University High School. Earned his B.A. from Brooklyn College in 1959 and graduated first in his class from Yale Law School in 1962.

At age 28, Dershowitz became the youngest full professor in Harvard Law School's history. He worked on Epstein's defense team while simultaneously being accused of being a participant. He introduced a "sock puppet" theory, alleging Giuffre was coached. Giuffre later partially walked back her claims against him in a 2024 settlement statement.

First marriage to Sue Barlach (divorced). Married Carolyn Cohen in 1986. Has two sons from his first marriage and one daughter. He is an Orthodox Jew.