What do you call a lawyer who follows Donald Trump’s advice?
Criminal.
Just kidding! While some of the crimes committed are considered misdemeanors, there are also individuals who have been indicted but have not yet been convicted.
According to a recent report from The New York Times, it was revealed that Trump has been expressing his dissatisfaction with his lawyer, Todd Blanche, in the ongoing New York criminal case. Trump is said to be criticizing Blanche for not adhering to his instructions. The former president reportedly wants Blanche to take a more aggressive approach, including attacking witnesses, what he perceives as a biased jury pool, and even the judge, Juan M. Merchan.
I hope Todd Blanche remains steadfast in his beliefs.
Rich individuals like Donald Trump often seem to escape the consequences of their misconduct. It’s worth pondering what might have happened if Trump had ever held a regular job. Surely, his actions, such as creating a sexually hostile environment, engaging in sexual assault, and repeatedly subjecting his employer to lawsuits for nonpayment, would have led to his dismissal.
Trump did not encounter this issue as his father took care of it. In 1976, his father established trusts worth $1 million for each of his children. Additionally, he provided Trump with a loan of $14 million in the early 1980s and guaranteed construction loans. These measures ensured that Trump would always be self-employed.
As the leader of a team or organization, you are not subjected to the possibility of being terminated from your position.
Former President Donald Trump and his attorney Todd Blanche attended the second day of his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 16, 2024 in New York City.
In addition to that, individuals are held responsible through two main avenues.
People often face lawsuits in civil cases, and Donald Trump and his companies were no exception. They encountered numerous lawsuits, potentially even reaching the thousands. However, Trump managed to settle these cases, allowing him to continue his business endeavors without major repercussions. On the other hand, criminal cases typically involve indictments. Remarkably, Trump managed to avoid any significant consequences in this regard for many years.
Trump has lived a life without facing any consequences, but lawyers, especially litigators, cannot escape the consequences of their actions.
When a litigator drafts a brief, their highly motivated opponent, who is paid to disprove their arguments, prepares an opposing brief. This opposing brief scrutinizes every statement made in the original brief, aiming to highlight any misstatements and present even correct statements in a negative manner. Ultimately, it is the role of a neutral party, the judge, to evaluate these briefs and reward the honesty and ingenuity displayed while penalizing any dishonest or foolish claims.
When lawyers present arguments in court, they face the challenge of having every word they speak scrutinized by a determined opponent. This constant scrutiny teaches lawyers the importance of not exaggerating or making exaggerated claims, as they are promptly held accountable for any overreach.
If litigators exceed their limits, they can face consequences that have a lasting impact on their careers. Filing a frivolous lawsuit or motion may lead to sanctions such as monetary penalties or referral to a bar association.
Attorney Todd Blanche is seen outside the courtroom on April 30, 2024, during former President Donald Trump’s trial in New York City.
Sanctions are required to be publicly disclosed, either to state bar associations or on applications to represent clients in cases outside the lawyer’s licensed jurisdiction. Even a single instance of sanction can have long-lasting consequences, as opponents will bring it up to judges, portraying the lawyer as a repeat offender. This can deter potential clients from hiring the lawyer, as they may prefer to work with litigators who have clean records.
In addition to the aforementioned repercussions, a lawyer may face the revocation of their license to practice law by a state bar association as a means to penalize severe misconduct.
As a lawyer, losing your livelihood becomes a harsh reality when faced with the consequences of your misconduct.
Roy Cohn, the lawyer who represented Trump in the early stages of his career and whom Trump holds in high regard, ultimately faced the consequences for his actions. Cohn was later disbarred, with disciplinary authorities disagreeing with Trump’s belief that Cohn was appropriately assertive. Similarly, other lawyers within Trump’s circle, including Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman, who have acted in accordance with Trump’s wishes, have either lost or are at risk of losing their licenses.
As a skilled lawyer, it is not advisable to employ a relentless approach during cross-examinations, aiming to attack every witness ruthlessly. Such a strategy tends to lose its effectiveness over time and can lead to the jury developing a dislike for you. Ultimately, this could increase the likelihood of your client being convicted.
Serious lawyers refrain from attacking presiding judges. Throughout a trial, the presiding judge exercises their authority by making numerous discretionary decisions. They determine the admissibility of borderline testimony and decide when the defense can learn the name of a witness scheduled to testify the following day, enabling them to adequately prepare for cross-examination. Additionally, during sentencing, the judge must consider whether to show leniency or impose the harshest possible penalty on the client.
Blanche, unlike Trump, values professionalism, winning, and maintaining his law license. While Trump may not understand or care about these considerations, Blanche recognizes their importance. As a result, he exercises more restraint in his actions and behavior, aligning himself with the standards of the legal profession.
During a long trial, it is important to consider that there may be instances where things do not go as planned.
Trump continuously places blame on the media for reporting his outrageous behavior. He holds the Chinese government responsible for the COVID pandemic and accuses Dominion Voting Systems for his loss in the 2020 election. In a more recent development, he attributes the decline in his media company, DJT’s stock value, to short sellers.
Who is to blame for Trump facing a criminal trial? Are partisan Democratic prosecutors at fault for unjustly indicting him? Or is Trump himself responsible for breaking the law?
During this trial, there will inevitably be setbacks and challenges that arise, and it is likely that Trump will place the blame on Blanche. In such situations, it is important for Blanche to take responsibility for any mistakes that may have occurred. However, it is equally important for Blanche to not be swayed by Trump’s advice and instead focus on his own judgment and decision-making.
Listen to your conscience, instincts, and the law, Todd Blanche. While it’s true that you may face criticism from Trump, risk getting fired, or even lose the trial, rest assured that it is Trump, not you, who will ultimately end up in jail after the New York trial concludes.