Hotman Paris Hutapea

Hotman was born on 20 October 1959 in Laguboti village, North Sumatra. He was the sixth of 10 children in a Protestant Batak family.[3] His first name was taken from the Batak word hotma, which means 'steady'. His father ran an intercity bus company called Bintang Utara and often had to live away from home in the North Sumatran capital of Medan. His mother remained at Laguboti and encouraged the children to eat healthily, especially fish and papaya leaves, so they would develop high IQs. Eight of the 10 children became university graduates.[4]

Hotman had planned to study at Indonesia's prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology but failed to pass the entrance exam. He said he knew the answers but did not know how to fill in the answer sheet. Consequently, he applied to study law at Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung, West Java. He said he had never dreamed of being a lawyer because he used to meet unemployed people with law degrees. Despite his initial lack of enthusiasm, Hotman enjoyed his studies and achieved high scores, becoming the Law Faculty's first student to complete the course in three and a half years.[5] He graduated in 1981.[6]

After Hotman graduated from law school, one of his lecturer's friends advised him to approach the Jakarta law office of O.C. Kaligis. He took a bus to the office at a shop-house complex in Glodok area and applied for a job. Working for Kaligis, Hotman had his first experience of court. "One time, O.C. Kaligis told me to come to East Jakarta District Court. Actually, it was just a regular court session. However, since that first experience of a trial, this leg can’t keep still. It’s always shaking,” he said.[7] Later in 1982, he briefly joined senior lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution's firm Nasution Lubis Hadiputranto.

Hotman was recruited by Bank Indonesia because of his high academic achievement. He quit after one year, later saying he realized he would never get rich there.[8]

In 1983, Hotman took a job with Makarim & Taira S, a firm specializing in international corporate law. Over 1987-1998, he did some work for the firm's Australian affiliate, Freehill, Hollingdale & Page. In 1998, he spoke out against foreign lawyers in Indonesia.[9] He left Makarim & Taira S to set up on his own firm, Hotman Paris Hutapea & Partners in 1999. His firm focuses on international finance litigation and dispute resolution.[10] He became famous for helping Indonesian conglomerates write off foreign debt, often arguing their original arrangements were illegal under Indonesian law.[11]

Hotman has been described as "a behind-the-scenes operator" in handling cases. He has reportedly admitted to meeting judges privately to get the result he wants and has given them money as thank-you gifts. Commenting on alleged judicial corruption, he has said: "I live in Indonesian courts every day, it's unethical if I say something bad about my court, although you know the answer. Everything is possible."[12]

In a 2010 interview, Hotman told The New York Times, “If I say I’m a clean lawyer, I’ll be a hypocrite, that’s all I can say. And if other lawyers say they are clean, they will go to jail, they’ll go to hell.”[13]

In 2014, Hong Kong-based Capital Profile issued a special report titled The Best of Hotman Paris, listing eight of his "most illustrious clients and memorable cases". The report noted:

No one embodies the hazards of investing in Indonesia better than Hotman Paris Hutapea, the flamboyant corporate lawyer at the center of the country’s most notorious bankruptcy cases. Loved by local tycoons, feared by foreign creditors and respected by lawyers who marvel at his legal sleight of hand even as they question his methods, Hotman has parlayed his courtroom success and colorful persona into national celebrity.[14]

Hotman responded by saying he considered the report a compliment and he was happy to be praised.[15]

In March 2012, actress Meriam Bellina reported Hotman to Jakarta Police for alleged physical abuse and harassing her through text messages and phone calls. Hotman responded: "What she reported is an incident that happened three years ago. We have been very close over the past three years. We went on holiday together. We have no problems."[33] In early April 2012, police were still collecting evidence such as medical records since 2009, which based on Meriam Bellina's report stated she had a broken nose, neck problems and bleeding from her right ear.[34] On 28 April 2012, the two parties signed a nine-point agreement, including Hotman's apology for his attitude and his admission they never married in Las Vegas. Meriam agreed to withdraw the police report she filed and Hotman accepted Meriam's decision to end their relationship.[35]

Hotman is married to Agustianne Marbun and they have three children. Hotman is often seen in the company of female celebrities and has admitted to carrying on an affair with an actress for six years. He says his wife and children are his top priority "but I am just an ordinary human who likes to cheat, depending on the temptation".[36]

He is known for buying a new foreign luxury car each year. Local media reports say he has purchased Lamborghini, Ferrari, Chrysler, Bentley and Hummer H2 vehicles. In 2012, he gave his daughter a Bentley Mulsanne worth about Rp. 9 billion for her 17th birthday.[37] "Everyone wants to own a luxury car. I've worked hard for 30 years as a lawyer, yes I have the right to enjoy life," he said in 2018. He is reported to have separate chauffeurs for each car.[38]

On 5 October 2014, Hotman was involved in a fatal car accident on Wiyoto Wiyono toll road in Jakarta. Police said Hotman's green Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante crashed into a box-truck that had just suffered a burst tire.[39] The truck rolled, killing the driver. Police said the accident was unavoidable because of the burst tire. Hotman said a bus swerved to avoid the truck and hit his car.[40]

In 2017, Hotman said he owns some assets including 12 hotels and luxury villas, and he intends to expand his portfolio to 50 luxury properties. Most of his villas are in Bali. One of them can be rented for Rp 23 million per night.[41] In Jakarta, he owns properties in the Central Park, Sudirman Park and Thamrin Residence developments, as well as a block of shop-houses in Kelapa Gading. "All the property assets that I own are from my toil and sweat," he said.[42] Most of his assets' owning rights are under his wife and his children. Hotman's current net worth is said to be Rp. 4,5 Trillion rupiah (~$302 million USD) through diverse business ventures and hefty commission as being one of the prominent lawyers in the nation. [43]

• New York Times 1999
• New York Times 2010