Trump Retains Top Legal Team for Ongoing Appeal Efforts
EXCLUSIVE: Former President Donald Trump has enlisted the help of prestigious law firm Sullivan & Cromwell as he continues his appeals in cases brought forth by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York Attorney General Letitia James. This strategic move comes on the heels of his original legal team assuming prominent positions within his administration.
Top Legal Minds on Trump’s New Team
Leading Trump’s new legal representation is Robert J. Giuffra Jr., a co-chair and partner at Sullivan Cromwell. Giuffra’s impressive background includes a tenure at the firm since 1989, following his clerkship with U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist. His areas of focus encompass securities, white-collar crime, product liability, commercial litigation, insurance, banking, and tax cases.
Joining him are several other notable lawyers: Matthew Schwartz, who has been with the firm since 2007 after serving as a law clerk for Justice Samuel Alito; Jeffrey Wall, who has experience as an acting U.S. Solicitor General, arguing more than 30 cases in the U.S. Supreme Court; James McDonald, a former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; and Morgan Ratner, who has argued nine cases before the Supreme Court and has served in the Office of Solicitor General at the Justice Department. Remarkably, all five lawyers have clerked for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Continuing Legal Strategies
Boris Epshteyn, Trump’s senior legal advisor, remains involved as senior counsel, coordinating various legal matters and strategies for the former president. Giuffra stated to Fox News Digital, “President Donald J. Trump’s appeal is important for the rule of law, New York’s reputation as a global business, financial and legal center, as well as for the presidency and all public officials.” He added, “The misuse of the criminal law by the Manhattan DA to target President Trump sets a dangerous precedent, and we look forward to the case being dismissed on appeal.”
Shifts in Legal Personnel
The changes to Trump’s legal representation coincide with the appointment of several previous legal team members to significant administrative roles. For instance, attorney Todd Blanche was appointed Deputy Attorney General, while John Sauer is now the Solicitor General of the United States. Emil Bove, who was also on Trump’s legal team, is serving as acting Deputy Attorney General and will transition to Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General once Blanche is confirmed.
Will Scharf, another former attorney for Trump, has taken up the position of Staff Secretary at the White House. These appointments notably reflect Trump’s continued reliance on skilled legal minds amid numerous investigations and legal challenges.
A Mixed Bag of Legal Outcomes
The legal battles facing Trump have been intense and varied. His former attorneys successfully defended him in investigations led by ex-Special Counsel Jack Smith, which scrutinized the events of January 6, 2021, as well as his handling of classified records. In a significant ruling, Sauer argued a case pertaining to presidential immunity before the U.S. Supreme Court. This resulted in a judgment affirming that presidents have immunity over non-official acts.
Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the classified records case against Trump in July 2024, citing the unlawful appointment of Smith as special counsel. Following his election win, Trump saw the dismissal of charges brought by Smith in connection with the 2020 election. Both cases against him were eventually tossed.
Ongoing Appeals
The newly formed legal team is set to spearhead Trump’s appeals in the cases brought forth by Bragg and James. Earlier this year, Judge Juan Merchan imposed an unconditional discharge on Trump after a guilty verdict on charges of falsifying business records. However, no jail time or financial penalties were levied against him, thus preserving his ability to appeal the conviction—a matter which Sullivan & Cromwell will now oversee.
Meanwhile, in the civil case initiated by James, New York Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump and others were liable for a multitude of offenses, including “persistent and repeated fraud,” “falsifying business records,” and “insurance fraud.” This ruling followed a weekslong nonjury trial. However, before the trial commenced, Engoron had already issued a summary judgment against Trump, forcing the subsequent proceedings to focus solely on determining the penalties to be imposed.
Appeal Status and Future Implications
Trump has appealed the staggering 4 million judgment stemming from the civil fraud case, with the appeal currently pending before the New York Appeals Court. Observers noted that judges in this court appeared receptive to the possibility of either reversing or reducing the hefty judgment during the hearings held in 2024.
As Trump’s legal saga unfolds, the implications are significant not only for him but also for future political leaders and the integrity of the legal system as a whole. As the world watches, the outcome of these appeals could set pivotal precedents for the intersection of law and politics in the United States.
