Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts

Michael Cohen and the Trump Lawyers Who Get Burned

Aug 10, 2024

Michael Cohen, former attorney for Donald Trump and whistleblower, joins to discuss the precarious legal landscape faced by Trump’s lawyers. He reveals Trump's history of underpaying attorneys and the ethical dilemmas they encounter. Danya Perry, Cohen’s current attorney, sheds light on why lawyers continue to represent Trump despite significant risks. The conversation also touches on the erosion of legal ethics amidst political tensions and explores Cohen's personal journey from loyalty to regret regarding his past associations.

04:54

Episode guests

Michael Cohen

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Donald Trump's litigation strategy illustrates a manipulative use of the legal system to maintain personal influence and mitigate costs.

Michael Cohen's trajectory highlights the dangers of blind loyalty in complex legal environments, ultimately leading to devastating personal repercussions.

Deep dives

The Legal Playbook of Donald Trump

Donald Trump's approach to litigation is characterized by frequent lawsuits and a strategic use of the legal system for personal gain. Historically, Trump has been willing to exploit the law to enhance his brand and minimize costs, often paying lawyers far less than standard fees. This pattern can be traced back to his relationship with Roy Cohn, his early attorney, who exemplified a style of aggressive legal maneuvering. Trump’s inclination to engage in legal battles aligns with a broader trend where he perceives the legal process as a tool for asserting his influence and maintaining control.

Intro

5min

Trump's Legal Labyrinth

14min

Legal Privilege Strategies in Political Contexts

3min

The Ethical Tightrope of Trump's Lawyers

17min

Understanding the Crime Fraud Exception to Attorney-Client Privilege

2min

Ethical Responsibilities in the Legal Profession

4min

The Transformation of Loyalty: From Blind Devotion to Betrayal

6min

Even before he was president, Donald Trump was known for stiffing his lawyers. But considering how the stakes changed once he took the Oval Office, not getting paid seemed like a pleasant option. During and after his presidency, lawyers who represented Trump have pleaded guilty in election fraud cases, campaign finance cases and more. So why do they keep representing him? Is this risk of jailtime worth the reward of…well, what is the reward?

In this next installment of The Law According to Trump, another lawyer speaks with us about representing Donald Trump. Danya Perry is Michael Cohen’s attorney (yes, that Michael Cohen). She offers insight into why lawyers still want to represent Trump, and what the ethical implications are - personally and professionally.

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