Joseph Tacopina and two other lawyers will no longer represent the former president, meaning Trump lost three lawyers for unknown reasons in two NYC cases.
Tacopina represented Trump in NYC
The prominent attorney represented Trump in New York in two cases. One of them is a criminal hush money case. Trump’s first indictment was announced in March 2023, and the trial is set for March 24. The second one is a civil case brought on by E. Jean Carroll.
Tacopina is taking his team with him
According to Newsweek’s report, Tacopina is leaving with his fellow lawyers Chad Seigel and Matthew DeOreo. In a court filing, the high-profile attorney wrote, “I respectfully submit this Declaration in support of [Tacopina Seigel and DeOreo’s] motion, made pursuant to Local Civil Rule 27.1, to withdraw as counsel (including TSD attorneys Joseph Tacopina, Chad D. Seigel and Matthew G. DeOreo) for Trump, with such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.”
Ex-federal prosecutor reacted
Michael McAuliffe, a former federal prosecutor and former elected state attorney, told Newsweek, “The attorney-client relationship might have suffered a fundamental breach of confidence, running in either or both directions. A strong-willed client who thinks he or she is more of a lawyer than the actual lawyer can create an untenable scenario for that lawyer to continue representing the client’s interests.”
Another reason could be financial
McAuliffe added that “if a client stops or fails to pay the lawyer’s agreed fees, in many jurisdictions, that is a basis to withdraw as counsel. However, in other jurisdictions, fee delinquency isn’t a valid sole reason to withdraw as counsel in a pending case.” He added, “It will be interesting to see if the court requires him to identify a basis.”
Famous name
Tacopina, the former Brooklyn prosecutor, represented Michael Jackson, A-Rod, Meek Mill, and Don Imus and currently represents A$AP Rocky, who is facing two criminal assault counts.
Tacopina represented Trump in a case brought on by E. Jean Carroll
Last May, Tacopina represented Trump at trial in a civil lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll, a columnist who accused Trump in 2019 of assaulting her in the mid-1990s in Manhattan’s high-end store. On Truth Social, Trump wrote in December, “I was asked by my lawyer not to attend—’ It was beneath me, and they have no case.”
Trump’s spokesperson kept things vague
Asked about Tacopina’s departure, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung told Reuters, “President Trump has the most experienced, qualified, disciplined, and overall strongest legal team ever assembled as he continues to fight for America and Americans against these partisan, Crooked Joe Biden-led election interference hoaxes.”
More bad news for Trump
Trump was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Stormy Daniels was allegedly paid $130,000 in exchange for her silence about a sexual encounter with Trump at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in 2006. The adult movie star, who is at the center of Trump’s first indictment, announced on her podcast she’s ready to testify.
Trump’s revolving door of lawyers
Last year, Trump lost Georgia attorney Drew Findling, and attorney Jim Trusty asked to withdraw due to “irreconcilable differences.” John Rowley also stepped aside from representing Trump, as did Tim Parlatore. Trump’s personal lawyer, John Eastman, faced disbarment in California. He was indicted alongside Trump and 17 others in the Georgia RICO case.
Mary Trump commented
Trump’s niece and fierce critic, Mary Trump, wrote, “New lawyers might not have to start from scratch, but catching up would be a difficult task.” Mary Trump wrote a blog post titled “Donald’s Iowa Victory Undermined,” stating, “This close to the trial, lawyers will have spent hundreds, perhaps thousands of hours compiling evidence and gaining an understanding of the nuances of the case.”
Last year’s troubles
In April 2023, Rolling Stone reported that Tacopina angered some of Trump’s legal team members. One source alleged that Tacopina was a “loudmouth.” Mary Trump noted this would have a “devastating impact on a case,” likely referring to Trump’s first indictment.
Trump’s year of trials
After the fraud trial ended in New York, Trump’s second civil trial was brought by E. Jean Carroll. There are cases of presidential immunity, Trump’s alleged hush money trial, the D.C. trial regarding election interference, the classified documents case, and Georgia’s RICO charges.
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