Graduating from The University of Toledo College of Law in 1972, Jeffrey B. Bogart has enjoyed a career marked by a diverse array of experiences, from prosecuting cases involving government corruption and organized crime to representing high-profile individuals in the private sector.
Bogart is the founder and managing partner of his private firm, Bogart & Bogart P.C., where he represents clients from a variety of industries including professional sports, TV and music entertainment, and more. But as an undergraduate student, his aspirations were set on becoming a TV sports director.
Bogart
While visiting Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles, Bogart was walking down the executive hallway and was told that behind nearly every other door sat a lawyer. In recognizing the potential that a legal foundation could have in shaping his future, Bogart decided to pursue law school.
Having no preparation for law school and knowing very little about the LSAT, Bogart found an opportunity at The University of Toledo College of Law, where he was admitted and excelled, including involvement in numerous activities as a student, being a member of the Toledo Law Review and serving as a student public defender during his 3L year.
“The law school didn’t have its own building, so law students took their classes on the third floor of the library,” Bogart said. “Our common area included two couches and a bulletin board – maybe a vending machine. It was modest to say the least.”
Upon graduating from law school, Bogart applied for, and was accepted into, the honors program of the U.S. Department of Justice. He was told to go to Washington, D.C. and interview with three departments, one which would choose him to work there. In his last interview, the lawyer closed his file and said, “You’re a really good law student, but you have no political juice, and you will never get a letter telling you where to report.”
Bogart, realizing he had no job with the DOJ despite his letter of acceptance to the honors program, went to visit a friend who attended NYU School of Law. His friend directed him to the placement board, which led to Bogart securing his first professional legal position at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.
He later received an offer from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta as an assistant U.S. attorney. Accepting the offer, Bogart continued his government service focusing on white-collar crime and corruption cases. He also served as a special prosecutor for the State Bar of Georgia disciplinary committee.
Eventually, Bogart decided to transition into private practice. His career flourished as he became a partner in a large Atlanta law firm founded by former governor Ellis Arnall and, again, when he established his own boutique litigation firm in the 1980s.
Many years later, he received a call from John Ehrlichman, a key player in the Nixon administration and infamous during the Watergate scandal, during the time Bogart had interviewed with the DOJ. Bogart ended up representing Ehrlichman for many years until his passing. During that time, Bogart told him, “You know, I was accepted into the honors program and told that because I had ‘no political juice’ there was no way I would be directed to one of the three departments I interviewed with, even though I had a letter that said ‘Congratulations, you’re accepted to the honors program in the DOJ.’” Bogart recalls Ehrlichman laughing as he said, “Well of course you weren’t going to get a spot during the Nixon administration.”
Throughout his career, Bogart has represented many high-profile figures, including the wives of former world boxing champion Evander Holyfield, Hall of Fame Atlanta Braves baseball players Chipper Jones and Tom Glavine, and two of the children of President and First Lady Carter. Two of his trials were televised by Court TV, gaining national attention.
Bogart’s contributions to the legal profession extend beyond individual cases. He has been a dedicated educator, sharing his knowledge and expertise with the legal community. He has served as an instructor at Emory University School of Law in the National Institute for Trial Advocacy program, and at the University of Georgia trial practice program. He also created the KISS trial practice program, recognized as one of the top programs by the Georgia Bar.
When asked what his best advice is for future lawyers, Bogart shared three things: “1. Listen. Lawyers are good at talking, bad at listening. 2. Always act in a professional manner. And 3. There is no substitute for preparation.”
Since 2004, Bogart has been voted a Georgia Super Lawyer, and in 2006 was voted one of the top 100 lawyers in Atlanta. He was voted one of Georgia’s Legal Elites in both criminal and family law by Georgia Trend magazine, the only Georgia lawyer to be selected in both disciplines in a single year. He has been continuously recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America by U.S. New & World Report.
Bogart is married to attorney Christine C. Bogart. They have a combined family of seven children and eight grandchildren.
