There was lots of speculation surrounding the selection of Marc Kasowitz as outside counsel to Donald Trump. A list of finalists was revealed, and the legal gossip started in ernest until Kasowitz was revealed as the winner.
But now it seems Kasowitz may not have been Trump’s first choice.
Yahoo is reporting that at least four Biglaw superstars told the president they would not accept his rose. Brendan Sullivan of Williams & Connolly, Ted Olson of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Paul Clement and Mark Filip of Kirkland & Ellis, and Robert Giuffra of Sullivan & Cromwell are all on the list of those who reportedly just said no to Trump.
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While none of those lawyers provided a comment, because discretion really is the better part of valor, there are sources willing to talk. There are, of course, the usual scheduling issues, but Trump’s seeming inability to take legal advice, the PR blowout from repping Trump, and the potential fallout from other clients were among the reasons these lawyers were hesitant to accept the gig. And, of course, Trump has… issues paying on time:
[A] consistent theme, the sources said, was the concern about whether the president would accept the advice of his lawyers and refrain from public statements and tweets that have consistently undercut his position.
“The concerns were, ‘The guy won’t pay and he won’t listen,’” said one lawyer close to the White House who is familiar with some of the discussions between the firms and the administration, as well as deliberations within the firms themselves.
Sounds about right.
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And they were reportedly worried about the impact of representing Trump on recruitment. So attention 2Ls: You can now edit your on-campus interview wish list accordingly.
Earlier: Marc Kasowitz… Will You Accept This Rose?
Kathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).