Abbe Lowell Launches New Law Firm to Defend Targets of The Trump Administration
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- May 2
- 3 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Left-Leaning
Why: The article focuses on legal actions opposing the Trump administration's policies, highlighting efforts to defend individuals and organizations perceived to be unfairly targeted by the administration.
Overview
Prominent defense attorney Abbe Lowell has established a new law firm, Lowell & Associates, aimed at representing individuals and organizations facing legal challenges under the Trump administration. The firm includes attorneys who previously left major law firms in protest of their responses to executive orders issued by President Trump targeting the legal industry.
Background on Abbe Lowell
Abbe Lowell is a seasoned defense lawyer with a history of representing high-profile political figures across party lines. His past clients include Hunter Biden, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, and former Senator Bob Menendez. Lowell's experience spans nearly four decades in legal practice.
Formation of Lowell & Associates
Lowell departed from the law firm Winston & Strawn to launch Lowell & Associates. The new firm has recruited attorneys who resigned from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, citing disagreements over the firm's decision to provide $100 million in pro bono work aligned with the Trump administration's interests. These attorneys expressed a commitment to defending the rule of law and resisting political overreach.
Client Representation
Lowell & Associates is representing several individuals and entities that have been subject to investigations or actions by the Trump administration:
Letitia James: New York Attorney General, referred to the Department of Justice by the Trump administration for alleged falsification of real estate records, which she denies.
Miles Taylor: Former Trump administration official who has publicly criticized the president and faced revocation of his security clearance.
Mark Zaid: Attorney known for representing whistleblowers, including those involved in cases against the Trump administration.
The firm also represents organizations challenging the cancellation of grant funding by the Department of Government Efficiency and the federal government.
Context of Legal Challenges
The establishment of Lowell & Associates occurs amid a broader landscape of legal opposition to the Trump administration's policies. Over 200 lawsuits have been filed challenging initiatives related to immigration, transgender rights, and federal funding allocations.
Advocacy groups and legal professionals are mobilizing to address concerns about the politicization of legal processes and the targeting of individuals based on political affiliations.
Statements from Firm Members
Brenna Trout Frey, one of the attorneys who joined Lowell & Associates after resigning from Skadden, emphasized the firm's mission: "We are not here to make statements, we are here to litigate, win, and help reinforce the legal guardrails that hold our democracy together."
Rachel Cohen, another attorney who left Skadden, highlighted the importance of standing up to governmental overreach and maintaining the integrity of the legal profession.
Executive Orders and Legal Industry Response
President Trump's executive orders have targeted major law firms involved in legal challenges against him or those employing attorneys connected to investigations into his actions. These orders have led to firms either aligning with the administration's directives or facing restrictions on their business operations. Some firms have pledged significant pro bono work to the administration, while others have initiated legal action to contest the orders.
Implications
The creation of Lowell & Associates signifies a concerted effort within the legal community to address concerns about the use of governmental power to target political opponents. The firm's focus on defending individuals and entities facing politically motivated legal challenges underscores ongoing debates about the intersection of law, politics, and the preservation of democratic principles.
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