Ben Crump Net Worth

Ben Crump is a civil rights attorney and activist who rose to fame when he took on Trayvon Martin’s case after George Zimmerman fatally shot the youth. 

Since the high-profile Martin case, Crump has handled many other racially charged cases involving police brutality and injustice. He is dedicated to getting justice for victims of discrimination and their families by taking their chances pro bono or for reduced fees. 

Despite not always being highly compensated for his work, he has still amassed respectable earnings primarily attributed to high settlement amounts for many of his successful cases. 

In this article, we will look closely at some of Crump’s most famous cases and examine his estimated net worth today.

Ben Crump’s net worth and source of income

Crump has become America’s most prominent civil rights attorney, fighting landmark cases against racial injustice and police brutality. His impassioned legal advocacy has earned him the moniker “Black America’s Attorney General.” 

Crump’s net worth, estimated at over $5 million, can be attributed to his successful track record with high-profile cases. 

He built his career and reputation taking on cases like Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and George Floyd. These young Black men were killed in incidents that galvanized national outrage over continued racism and police violence against minorities. 

By getting justice for grieving families in cases like these, he has won over 450 lawsuits in his career.

Ben Crump is a civil rights attorney and activist (Source: NBC News)

His expert navigation of the legal system and ability to draw media attention to these cases have led to massive financial settlements, including a reported $27 million for Floyd’s family.

In addition to lawsuit payouts, he also brings in substantial income from his successful law firm, Ben Crump Law PLLC. As one of the country’s most sought-after civil rights lawyers, Crump can command high fees for taking cases. 

However, he also frequently works pro bono or for reduced payments when representing victims without means.

Regardless of price, Crump is driven by his passion for justice. He proudly takes on even hopeless cases to advocate for change and give grieving families a platform.

Ben Crump’s career highlights

Crump first rose to prominence in 2002 when he represented the family of Genie McMeans, Jr., a Black man who was shot and killed by a white state trooper after a traffic stop.

This early case set the tone for his career fighting against racial injustice and police brutality. 

However, the case that genuinely launched Crump into the national spotlight was when he represented Martin’s family in 2012. Martin was a Black teenager who was stalked and shot dead by George Zimmerman in a killing that sparked widespread protests. 

Since Martin, he has continued taking on some of the highest-profile cases involving racism, discrimination, and police violence.

Ben Crump leaving the Seminole County Criminal Justice Center with Trayvon Martin’s parents (Source: Tampa Bay Times)

Some milestone cases have included representing the families of Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and others. 

In addition to wrongful death lawsuits, he has taken on major civil rights cases, like representing the family of Henrietta Lacks, the source of the immortal “HeLa” cell line. 

He fought to secure compensation from pharmaceutical companies who had profited from Lacks’ cells for decades without her consent.

Now an icon for social justice, Crump has built his towering status through his fearless legal advocacy. By forcing change through the court system case by case, he cemented his legacy as one of his era’s preeminent civil rights champions.

Ben Crump 2023 cases

In January, Crump began representing the family of Earl Moore Jr., who died of asphyxiation after being strapped face-down to a stretcher by paramedics.

The paramedics were charged with first-degree murder. He is seeking accountability for Moore’s wrongful death.  

Also, the same month, he took on the case of Tyre Nichols, who died three days after being brutally beaten by five Memphis police officers during a traffic stop. The shocking case made national headlines, with Crump demanding full transparency and justice.

In one of his most high-profile 2023 cases yet, he filed a $100 million lawsuit in February against the FBI, CIA, and NYPD on behalf of Malcolm X’s family. The lawsuit alleges conspiracy and cover-up around Malcolm X’s 1965 assassination. 

Ben Crump during a news conference in February 2023 (Source: NY1)

He continued taking racial injustice cases in April when he started representing 16-year-old Ralph Yarl’s family. Yarl, who is Black, was shot dead by an 84-year-old white man for mistakenly ringing his doorbell.  

Beyond wrongful death lawsuits, he also made headlines in May for representing the family of songwriter Ed Townsend in a plagiarism case against Ed Sheeran over the song “Thinking Out Loud.” 

He went back into familiar territory in June by supporting the family of Ajike Owens, a Black woman killed by her white neighbor over a dispute with her children. 

In July, he teamed up with Chicago attorney Steven Levin to represent Black football players from Northwestern University alleging racism and abusive hazing under their former coach.

As these most recent cases show, even after a long and groundbreaking career, Crump continues fiercely advocating for justice in 2023 – cementing his legacy as an American civil rights icon.

Ben Crump has also made multiple TV appearances

In addition to being one of America’s most prominent civil rights attorneys, Crump has regularly appeared on television to discuss legal issues around racial injustice. 

He first stepped into the TV spotlight in 2017 when he played himself on the court show You the Jury and led an investigation into Tupac Shakur’s murder for the series Who Killed Tupac?

In 2018, Crump hosted his documentary show on TV One called Evidence of Innocence, highlighting people wrongfully imprisoned for over a decade. He used the show to raise awareness of critical legal issues.

His TV profile rose even higher in 2022 when Netflix released an original documentary on his life and career titled Civil: Ben Crump. The film, produced by Kenya Barris and directed by Nadia Hallgren, gave intimate access to his personal and professional world. 

When it was nominated for an Emmy in 2023, it solidified his status as a household name. Beyond his documentaries, he regularly provides legal commentary on major news networks as racial justice cases dominate national headlines. 

This includes an appearance on The Daily Show in January 2023 to discuss the horrific Tyre Nichols case. 

Crump has become one of America’s most influential attorneys as a commanding courtroom presence and a charismatic TV personality.