They could just say nothing. Why support his lies and BS?
In order to keep the job and – maybe – get paid?
“I can change him!”
Seems like a lot of general rules and best practices go right out the window once you decide to represent Trump.
As we saw with Alina Habba, Trump’s lawyer’s aren’t necessarily playing to the court or the jury they’re dancing to Trump’s tune. He is their primary audience and the person they want to please.
Yeah, it just felt so unethical. Foolish, I know.
He’s an idiot if he didn’t insist on a large retainer up front.
Trump is a master of coming up with reasons to stiff people on payment. The examples are too numerous to recount. Just recently I read about a contractor who installed something for him like large windows in one of his buildings, insisting on two-thirds payment up front. Of course Trump never paid the last third, coming up with some bullshit reason he didn’t like the installation even though everything was fine up to that point. It put the company out of business.
This is a pattern with Trump. He is a shyster and a thief who doesn’t pay his bills.
https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/13/politics/trump-small-business-owners/index.html
He does the same thing with his lawyers. If they lose the case he says they didn’t do a good job so he refuses to pay them. If they win the case, he says it was so easy that a monkey could have done it, so he again refuses to pay.
If you see enough lawyers in action you will perceive that at least a portion of their eforts are aimed at impressing their client, rather than the decision maker. “Look how hard I’m working to earn the fee you’re paying me (even though your case has ZERO chance of winning!)”
Not sure why that would rise to the level of being considered “unethical.”
Shrug. I’d be comfortable with my lawyer saying “My client believes the gag order has been put in place to stop them from testifying”, but not “The gag order stops Donald Trump from testifying.” Just my opinion, of course.
His lawyers could also be going along with it as part of their efforts to persuade him not to testify.
I think we’re reading way the hell too much into a nod.
Ayup. He may have had a crick in his neck.
Nervous tik, maybe?
Hence the reimbursement to cohen being odd.
Question: If the retainer has been used up, and the client doesn’t pony up more cash, can a lawyer simply bail in the middle of trial, telling the judge, “Hey, I ain’t working for free, here!”. Or is he obligated to stick it out once he has started, due to some kind of lawyerin’ law-guy thing?
It’s complicated. Client has a legal obligation to pay, but the lawyer has a professional obligation not to withdraw in circumstances that would prejudice the client. In litigation contexts, the consent of the court may be required.
Here’s a summary from the New York City Bar:
As always, IANAUSL, and I could be wrong. Talk to a lawyer in your own state if you really need advice on the issue.
Would you be happier with an adjective like “dishonest”?
Yeah. He’s been out there for who knows how many of Trump’s rants by now, all saying the same thing over and over. By this point, he’s probably not even listening, just nodding along and thinking about what to have for dinner.
Yep. when I did criminal defense work we were very firm on getting 100% of all potential fees up front. Most defendants are not “good for it” after you start working the case. And never after the case is over. Once you’re in, you may not be able to withdraw, and even if you can, it’s a hassle.
Who is left to testify do you think?
Obviously Cohen, McDougal and Daniels. Probably Kellyanne Conway. Not Trump.