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.

[4] Hotman had planned to study at Indonesia's prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology but failed to pass the entrance exam.

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.

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.

[15] Hotman represented consumer goods company Mayora Indah when it sued Bankers Trust International (BTI) at South Jakarta District Court in October 1998.

[16] Mayora Indah claimed BTI had sold its derivative contracts without providing adequate notice of the risk.

[18] Hotman defended the Widjaja family's Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) from its foreign creditors after the conglomerate defaulted on $13.9 billion of debt in March 2001.

[19] Creditors filed a claim in New York for the repayment of a $500 million bond issued by APP subsidiary Indah Kiat.

The company responded in November 2003 by suing bondholders, underwriters, and the trustee in Indonesia, seeking damages and demanding the bond be declared invalid.

[24] Hotman was part of Schapelle Corby's legal team until late January 2006 when the Indonesian Supreme Court reinstated her 20-year sentence for drug trafficking.

Hotman had represented Corby pro bono and said he resigned to make money to buy a Ferrari.

[32] This case began when Hotman was reported by his former personal assistant, Iqlima Kim regarding alleged harassment in 2022.

In 2025, the defamation case trial held at the North Jakarta District Court on Thursday 6 February was chaotic.

The chaos in the trial of this case started when Razman, who had the status of a defendant, went berserk and approached Hotman who was sitting in the witness chair.

[33] In March 2012, actress Meriam Bellina reported Hotman to Jakarta Police for alleged physical abuse and harassing her through text messages and phone calls.

"[34] 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.

[35] 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.

[39] 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.

4,5 Trillion rupiah (~$302 million USD) through diverse business ventures and hefty commission as being one of the prominent lawyers in the nation.