Lawyer of the Day Stephanie Birkitt: An Update on the Ex-Letterman Lover
On the media website Mediaite, we are erroneously listed as having an affiliation with the Late Show with David Letterman. We wish! If that were the case, then maybe we’d have inside dirt on one of the juiciest media scandals to come along in a while.
And it’s a media scandal with a legal angle — several, in fact. Last Friday, we named the woman at the eye of the storm, Stephanie Birkitt, our Lawyer of the Day. Birkitt — the former Letterman paramour whose ex-boyfriend, Robert “Joe” Halderman, stands accused of trying to extort David Letterman — is a lawyer. The blonde hottie is a graduate of Cardozo Law School, and she passed the bar exam twice — in New York and Connecticut. Very impressive, Ms. Birkitt!
Alas, Stephanie Birkitt may be a two-timer in more than one sense of the word. We previously stated, relying on other sources, that Birkitt’s sexual relationship with her former boss ended in 2003. Now we’re hearing otherwise, from the New York Post:
Pretty former “Late Show” staffer Stephanie Birkitt revealed in her diary that she continued having sex with boss David Letterman even after moving in with her CBS-producer boyfriend, who later allegedly tried to extort him over the affair, sources told The Post yesterday.Letterman and Birkitt enjoyed romantic hikes last fall at his sprawling ranch in eastern Montana — where he was married in March — while her boyfriend, “48 Hours Mystery” producer Robert “Joe” Halderman, stayed home in Connecticut, the sources said.
At the time, Birkitt, 34, insisted to Halderman that she and the 62-year-old Letterman had just “a platonic relationship,” a source said.
“I’m his best friend,” Birkitt told the worried 51-year-old Halderman, the source said.
A friend with benefits? Like free law school tuition? Speaking of which, according to our reader poll, almost two-thirds of ATL readers would sleep with David Letterman in exchange for free law school tuition.
UPDATE: According to Maureen Dowd (gavel bang: commenter), Letterman’s company loaned Birkitt the money for law school, which she paid back. If true, this is disappointing. What’s the point of sleeping with the boss if you can’t get paid for it?
More law-related Letterman links, after the jump.
The Post article goes on to note that Letterman, who apparently funded Birkitt through law school, was eager to keep her on his staff (pun intended):
The multimillionaire comic even did his best to keep Birkitt, a graduate of Benjamin Cardozo Law School, on his payroll. After she graduated in June 2008, he offered her a job as his personal lawyer, the sources said.Birkitt later tried to use the generous offer to persuade Halderman to have children with her, saying she would bring in the bucks in her new job and he could stay home as a Mr. Mom, the sources said.
Talk about a bizarre love triangle! (Also, we’re not sure why Birkitt would be so eager to have babies with Halderman, who’s kinda gross — but to each her own.)
Birkitt came to know Letterman while working at CBS and then The Late Show. She eventually started appearing on air, where she would banter with Letterman, who called her goofy nicknames. Here’s a bit more detail on the Letterman-Birkitt relationship, from People:
Birkitt’s duties [at the Late Show] initially included working with Letterman’s charities and his Indy car racing team, but she got a big on-air break when the show chose her to answer the office phone when Letterman would call on-air.“We developed some sort of a phone rapport, just like we get along in real life,” Birkitt told the Union Leader. “He teases me and gives me a hard time and I’ll give it back, but overall, he’s super nice.”
And perhaps he gives her a hard something else, too.
“He’s the best boss I’ve ever had,” Birkitt told Entertainment Weekly in 2002.
And perhaps the best something else, too.
Okay, that’s enough innuendo for one post; there are serious legal issues here too. Check out these links:
- Over at the National Law Journal, Tresa Baldas interviews employment lawyers about L’Affaire Letterman (and they predictably warn that sleeping with subordinates is fraught with peril).
- Over at the WSJ Law Blog, Ashby Jones chats with law professor Paul Secunda, of the Workplace Prof Blog, about the elements of a sexual harassment claim.
- Over at Am Law Daily, Brian Baxter reports on how CBS will be handling its investigation of Joe Halderman, the CBS employee charged with attempted extortion.
Speaking of Halderman, the man accused of trying to extort $2 million from Letterman, an ATL tipster tells us this information (via a friend who knows Halderman from CBS):
Joe was apparently a pretty high-strung fellow who spent a lot of time covering news stories in Iraq and around the world. This [news about the alleged extortion plot] was not a shock to those who knew Joe. My CBS friend thought of sending Halderman a Hallmark card saying something like: “Better luck next time with your extortion plans.”(Obviously joking, as we both think Joe’s no different than someone who holds up people at gunpoint….)
Well, that’s assuming the charges are true. And even though the evidence looks compelling, Halderman has pleaded “not guilty” and retained Gerald Shargel, one of the best criminal defense lawyers in the business.
Regardless of what a jury decides — assuming this ever reaches Twelve Angry Old Ladies, which we see as highly unlikely (but wouldn’t that be fun?) — at least one old lady is not a Halderman fan:
“Late Show” staffer Stephanie Birkitt “was stupid” to ever go out with CBS News producer Robert “Joe” Halderman — who is now charged with shaking down David Letterman for $2 million by revealing the talk-show host’s affair with Birkitt, the staffer’s granny told The Post today.“People make mistakes and that was one of hers,” Irene Boyle said of her granddaughter Birkitt’s long-term romantic relationship with the 51-year-old Halderman. “Joe was a mistake.”
Boyle, who turns 91 on Oct. 25, said, “I think she was stupid to go out with him.”
…. “They were just good friends,” Boyle said, speaking at the assisted living facility in Newport, NH, where she resides.
Granny Irene, please don’t read the newspapers or watch TV for a while. You don’t want to give your 91-year-old ticker any unnecessary stress.
As for Stephanie Birkitt, she has gone into hiding and hired a lawyer of her own. She must be going through an incredibly stressful period right now.
But Birkitt, despite all the craziness, is better off than many. Thanks to Dave Letterman, her law degree is fully paid for. And unlike many lawyers in America, even if she has been told not to show up to work, it seems that officially she at least still has a job.
Hang in there, Steph. And if you’d be willing to be interviewed for ATL — perhaps for “Career Alternatives: Sleeping With a Millionaire Talk Show Host”? — feel free to drop us a line.
P.S. If you know Stephanie Birkitt personally and have information to share, please email us. Thanks.
Letterman’s gal cheated on new beau — with Dave! [New York Post]
David Letterman’s former staffer Stephanie Birkitt wrote lust letters to ‘Late Show’ host [New York Daily News]
Stupid Human Tricks: On David Letterman and the Law [WSJ Law Blog]
CBS GC Says Letterman Affair Will Be Handled Internally [Am Law Daily]
Don’t play like Letterman, employment lawyers warn [National Law Journal]
Earlier: Lawyer of the Day: Stephanie Birkitt, Cardozo Law Grad and Ex-Letterman Lover
(64) Comments
Comments
she has dubious taste in men.
She is basiocally just another slut lawyer. No one will sleep with me and i can't get promoted to dogcatcher!
I'd blow my boss just to know I'm keeping my job through the new year. (heterosexual man)
LARRY CELONA, JESSICA SIMEONE and DAN MANGAN of the New York Post have low standards if they think she is "pretty".
I am not a lawyer, but I googled this site and thought some smarty pants lawyer could explain something. Why in the heck is David Letterman in so much trouble with the law? While I don't approve of what he did, I didn't think that having an affair (even with a coworker) was against the law! Is this some sort of conspiracy by the "moral right". Please explain this one. I am not really a fan of his humor (more of a "Leno Guy") but still.
Responsible law schools? From the ABA Journal:
"Three Texas Law Schools Cut Enrollment, But Economy Isn’t the Reason"
Monica Ingram, the assistant dean of admissions for UT, said It "would be untrue to say that we have not thought about our overall responsibility to the profession" when considering class sizes, she told Texas Lawyer.
http://www.abajournal.com/news/three_texas_law_schools_cut_enrollment_but_economy_isnt_the_reason/
God truly would be a Texan.
Whore.
"Hottie"? Blonde hair does not automatically = hot. Girl is beat.
7 = EPIC FAILURE TO PLEASE WOMEN.
7, why do you direct that to her instead of him? I don't get it?
So many people talk on this board about who is hot, who they bang, etc., so clearly you do not think that sex is wrong. Why is she a whore. Maybe they liked each other? Does it make her a whore to be attracted to someone?
my god - have you socially inept lawyers ever gotten laid or what?
I agree with 5 and really don't understand all the hostility. I ton't condone this, but they both are suffering pretty badly right now. That is punishment enough.
The extortion guy is the one that deserves everyone's disapproval.
Oh ELIE!!!,
Where the fuck does she practice law? What type of lawyer is she? Can you get any of her law school classmates to talk?
My God. You suck.
My butt smells!
Sigh... how I miss the grammar and coherence of a Lat article...
15, Elie writes like a first year. Puts the words down once, thinks its brilliant and hits send.
Halderman was the only one charged, but I gotta wonder how involved she was in the extortion plot.
And she is beat up. Letterman could've done better than that.
I don't think she was. Why bother when she was getting support through the relationship.
HAlderman is a nut case. The money was about jealously. I bet he thought he could win her back with his wealth.
Maybe letterman did not want to do better. Maybe he liked her based on the complete package. Having seen many male lawyers during my times, the guys aren't tearing it up either.
In what alternative universe is that woman "hot".
She clearly is not hot. That is not her look. She is pretty or wholesome and there is nothing wrong with that.
1. Not hot.
2. She's a whore.
3. Boyfriend is a sucker.
21, and you have the pecker of a 1 year old and no one would ever do you.
Look, let's be honest. Your girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife, if you have one, is not hot, and you aren't either. So let's stop bashing people's looks all the time on ATL. You know you are just a fugly law student/lawyer.
Letterman is 62 and BF is 51. . . .she has some serious daddy issues . . . oh and she's a whore to boot
Looks like Sarah Palin was absolutely right when she said that she didn't want her daughter Willow to be too close to him.
13 / 15 - This post is by Lat, not Elie.
This woman is not hot nor would she be allowed to serve in my litigation regime. Perhaps after she finishes her stint as a good time girl for these older men she can practice some degenerate form of transactional law. She will soon disappear. Letterman will disappear. I WILL REMAIN!
Headline:
"Yankees win Game 1 over tired Twins"
Tired? Why, because they had a game last night? It is not possible to be tired after a baseball game. It's just a few hours of standing around.
Also, who the hell cares about baseball now that football is back?
I am convinced that every non-guest persona on here is is one person.
Uh, David? Go fuck yourself please. "She must be going through an incredibly stressful period right now." And you are doing your very best to make sure it gets worse, right? And your source is Rupert Murdick's Post? Nice journalism, that.
What a small, small, sad, gay man you are... and I mean that in the very nicest way! :)
“I’m his best friend,” Birkitt told the worried 51-year-old Halderman, the source said.
BWWAHHHHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA . . . *catching breath* . . . HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HORSE FACED SLUT
WHY ON EARTH WOULD SHE THINK SHE IS HIS BEST FRIEND?
30 - Nice to flatter ATL, but I don't think being covered on this blog is the biggest of Birkitt's problems these days.
So nice to see that ATL has openly turned into a celebrity gossip blog.
Shark, jumped.
35: Saying that ATL has jumped the shark has jumped the shark.
There are many legal ties to this case, which is why other outlets, like WSJ and Am Law, have covered it too.
Jeez, no one will screw me, and these old dudes are hitting a young attractive lawyer.
Only David Lat would think she is a hottie. We would have thrown this average-looking chick off our "Smell the Glove" tour bus, and we didn't even have the kind of money or fame that warranted being picky.
she is a cute. that is really awful lighting on that photo. find something more flattering. she's got that whole girl next door thing going on.
36: Seriously doubt WSJ and Am Law are saying things like "And perhaps he gives her a hard something else, too." I see barely any legal discussion in this post -- except the links to other stories by other outlets.
All of the parties involved should take the blame. Enough of the double standard. You can't make Stephanie the scapegoat when she wasn't even in the position of power.
Wait, why is passing 2 bars impressive? Is it because you don't think most Dozo grads are capable of passing 1 bar, not to mention 2?
I wonder how many girls/women try to sleep their way to the top. I think it is more than I had innocently believed. No wonder I just lost my clerkship to a pretty, young, and inexperienced girl.
How can anyone be mad at Halderman? Extortion is the most awesome (non-violent) way to get back at the guy banging your girlfriend. Letterman is foolishly paying the adultery tax for a few bareback sessions with a 4. What a ripoff; I'd rather bang a torn beanbag chair.
Very impressive that she passed 2 bar exams, because only about a million other s--tbags are admitted in those two states. Wow! She passed a test. Hottie? In what alternate universe?
Hey all of you Evidence class all-stars and criminal lawyers:
Explain to me why Halderman's lawyer seems to think that he will really get a chance to stick it to Letterman during cross-examination. What kind of potentially embarassing testimony would be admissible and actually relevant to the extortion case?
40 - ATL has always been about the gossip. Have you read this site before? It's "a legal tabloid."
To all you "hottie-debaters" I ask: would you do that? Nuff said.
Dave needs new glasses. She's a hag.
48, it is you who is missing the point. The "hottie-debaters" are not David Letterman and do not have his fame or fortune. He and I both paid for chicks, but at least I got a hottie. I bet that Partner Emeritus wouldn't even have put a dollar bill in her thong if she were a dancer at Rick's.
Former Governor of New York
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/opinion/07dowd.html?scp=1&sq=birkitt&st=cse
maureen dowd says berkitt paid back the law school "loan."
@ 10
I did not make the rules, you may blame your parents, but men cannot be whores. You should know this by now.
- Guilt free debauchery
43--I'm sure you're right--the woman who got your job MUST have been sleeping with the Judge. There's no way that she was just a hell of a hot smarter than you. Or better qualified. Or maybe your inner douchebag just came shining through at your interview.
Awesome that you've found the perfect excuse for women beating you out of a job--the fact that a 34 year old Letterman employee slept with her witty, attractive, successful boss. Something tells me it had little to do with her career.
53 - 43 here. Chill out -- there was no real clerkship. It was a joke about two unsavory elements in our society: (1) sleezy bosses who used their positions to get into bed with their employees, (2) sleezy employees who sleep with their bosses to get ahead. Do you deny the existance of these two elements?
Damn, girlfriend needs a tan and a new haircut. I would must certainly NOT be done up the butt by her.
Not to mention her shit acting ability and lack of a funny-bone(r): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=638QtpF0dlw
Let's do it in da butt!
Okaaaaaay!
8, come on. She's an attractive woman, and without anyone yet posting a picture of her naked, how can we rule out that she is hot? At least put her headshot next to Letterman's wife's headshot before you start calling her not a hottie.
Client9 has instantly become my new favorite commenter avatar. Well done.
-New Yorker
She's pretty hot when you compare her to Mrs. Dave.
So, uh, ATL is too high-class to include a link to the National Enquirer's big story of the day, about Regina going for the revenge divorce?
If I were a disgusting, perverted, older man, my number one criteria in choosing a younger mistress would be finding a girl with low self-esteem. Now, if I were a famous pervert, or at least one in a position of power, I would also place a lot of importance on picking a girl who would be above suspicion, not a flashy hottie that everyone desires. Stephanie likely has both qualifications and definitely embodies the latter. She is beyond plain and unfortunately for her, it turns out that neither she nor Dave are as clever as they thought they were. Not only are they immoral, they also have terrible judgment.
1. She's a ho.
2. She's a gold digging ho
3. She's a 4 at best. Not Hot
4. Dave was "Slumming" and getting a prurient thrill out of it.
5. Halderman is a loser. He has yet to understand that you dont own women nor their vaginas.
6. Halderman clearly didnt go to junior high and learn the enduring life lesson: Women always want the guy with higher status (cum wealth). Thats just the it is and has always been. Her infatuation with Dave is no personal indictent of Halderman.
9 and 22, you both must be either Stephanie Birkitt or mentally retarded. She is actually the dictionary definition of a WHORE, i.e. having sex for money. Not only that, she is a lying, cheating slut. She was living with Halderman when she was fucking Dave. Now anyone can defend her is beyond disbelief. And don't give me this shit like Dave was in a position of power. She CHOSE to fuck him.
halderman is the victim here. He's the wronged party and I hope Shargel gets him off.
As for Birkitt, she's fuckable after a few drinks, barely a 5. I'd dump a load in her, but she's ccertainly undatable (for reasons other than looks).
Class of 2008 Employment Statistics
The overall employment rate for 2008 graduates 9 months after graduation is 94.3%, and the “at graduation” employment rate is 74.5%.*
As the charts below reflect, Cardozo graduates are very successful in finding employment in their practice areas of interest, both in the private and public sectors. Of 57.8% of the class who entered private practice, nearly 58% are working at firms of 101 attorneys or more.
Students who launched their careers in the public sector chose among a broad range of positions including: district attorneys’ and public defenders’ offices, public interest organizations, government agencies and judicial clerkships.
LIES LIES LIES
We do not know that she "had sex for money." She had a relationship with Letterman. People in relationships give gifts and share funds all the time.
Even if she did have sex for money, how does that exculpate Letterman? It doesn't. Plain and simple.
FYI these derogatory terms towards women should have been eradicated a long time ago. But it's easier for men to use them to assert themselves as superior.