Lowell launches firm for those 'unlawfully and inappropriately targeted' by Trump
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Attorney Abbe Lowell is striking out to launch a new law firm dedicated to representing “those facing politicized investigations” and other legal actions from the Trump administration.

Lowell, a longtime white collar defense attorney, has represented figures on both sides of the aisle, including Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump as well as Hunter Biden.

The venture comes after Lowell left Winston & Strawn amid reports he would represent New York Attorney General Letitia James after she was referred for criminal investigation based on alleged mortgage fraud.

“This firm is prepared for today’s dynamic legal landscape, offering a leaner model than larger firms can provide,” Lowell said in a statement. “I started my private practice career in my own firm and am excited to once again lead a small yet nimble team ready to represent companies, non-profits and individuals in need of our experience and dedication.”

The firm doesn’t list James or any others among its new clients but said it has already secured clients who are targets of the Trump administration.

“Among the firm’s clients are individuals, including current and former state and federal officials who have been unlawfully and inappropriately targeted by this Administration. The firm also represents entities and organizations involved in litigation over the improper revocation of grant funding by the Department of Government Efficiency and the federal government,” the firm said in a statement.

In starting his own firm, Lowell has turned to a number of attorneys who have left major firms amid complaints about how they’ve responded to a series of actions from the Trump administration targeting big law firms.

Rachel Cohen will join the firm after offering her conditional resignation to her prior firm Skadden Arps, sending a firmwide email calling for leadership to come up with “a satisfactory response to our current moment.” 

“Law firms need to be united in condemning these actions and pointing out just how beyond the pale they are. And I think that they’re scared to do that for a variety of reasons. The first is that big law has a deep collective action problem,” Cohen told The Hill in March. 

“It does just all come around to, is this industry going to be silent when the president operates outside the balance of the law, or is it not?” she added.

Skadden Arps was among the 20 firms targeted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) asking for details on its diversity hiring practices. It later signed a deal with the Trump administration agreeing to do $100 million in pro bono work — a similar deal to those signed by other firms looking to dodge executive orders from Trump barring their attorneys from government buildings. 

Also joining the firm is former Skadden attorney Brenna Trout Frey, who left the firm after criticizing it for striking the deal.

“Today the executive partner of my former firm sent us all an ‘update’ that attempted to convince some of the best minds in the legal profession that he did us a solid by capitulating to the Trump administration’s demands for fealty and protection money,” she wrote in a LinkedIn post last month.

“There is only one acceptable response from attorneys to the Trump administration’s demands: The rule of law matters. The rule of law matters. As an attorney, if my employer cannot stand up for the rule of law, then I cannot ethically continue to work for them.”

Also joining the firm are other former Winston & Strawn attorneys, including David Kolansky and Isabella Oishi, who both worked on Biden’s cases, as well as Angela Reilly, who comes to the firm from As You Sow.

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