Trump's Legal Team Reduces to One Lawyer Amid Ongoing Appeals

Former President Donald Trump's legal representation has decreased to one attorney as he prepares for three appeals. According to Politico, four of the five members of Trump's legal team have departed from the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell, which was initially engaged to assist in appealing his hush money conviction from January 2024. The remaining attorney, Robert Giuffra Jr., is currently representing Trump in his appeal related to the hush money case, as well as in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case and a civil fraud judgment from New York Attorney General Letitia James. Giuffra and a junior lawyer were the only signatories on a recent petition to the Supreme Court regarding the Carroll defamation judgment. The Supreme Court previously declined to hear Trump's appeal in another Carroll lawsuit, maintaining a $5 million award from a 2023 trial. Politico noted that it would be unusual for Giuffra to manage all three appeals simultaneously, but additional partners are expected to join Trump's legal team soon. Trump's lawyers are scheduled to file their brief in the New York civil fraud case on August 26, and another brief in October regarding the conviction related to falsifying business records. The changes in Trump's legal team are partly attributed to his appointments of former team members to positions within the administration and judiciary.