Biden's New Lawyer Handles High-Profile Clients

A New Legal Ally for Biden

Joe Biden has appointed a new personal lawyer, Amy Jeffress, who brings a unique set of skills and experiences that could prove invaluable as the former president faces scrutiny from congressional investigations. This decision comes at a crucial time, with House Republicans and the Justice Department intensifying their focus on pardons issued by Biden and the actions of his staff during the final months of his administration.

Jeffress, a prominent Washington attorney, has taken on several high-profile cases in recent years that have put her at odds with President Donald Trump or his allies. However, representing a former president is a first for her, which could place her under more public scrutiny than she has experienced before. According to Jamie Gorelick, a former deputy attorney general who hired Jeffress for her first role at the Justice Department, “Biden will need a fierce defender who will undertake that work in a very thoughtful way.” She added, “You will not find [Jeffress] doing lots of interviews or undertaking publicity campaigns for herself.”

Background and Career

Jeffress has a long and distinguished career in law, starting as a federal prosecutor and counselor to Attorney General Eric Holder. Over two decades, she held significant roles within the Justice Department before transitioning to private practice in 2014. She initially joined the law firm Arnold & Porter and is now part of the boutique firm Hecker Fink.

In private practice, Jeffress has worked with politically sensitive clients. During Trump’s first term, she represented Lisa Page, a former FBI lawyer who became a focal point for MAGA outrage over the Justice Department’s Russia investigation. More recently, she was part of the team representing special counsel Hampton Dellinger, who was fired by Trump and sued in an effort to remain in his post.

Family Connections and Legal Expertise

Jeffress has deep roots in the legal community. She is married to Christopher Cooper, a federal judge in Washington who has dealt with numerous petitions related to Trump’s executive actions. Her father is also a prominent Washington attorney, further solidifying her connections in the legal world.

Her behind-the-scenes work for the January 6 select committee may be one of her most relevant experiences when it comes to representing Biden. In early 2022, multiple former Trump officials who had been subpoenaed by the committee filed lawsuits seeking judicial orders to stop them from testifying or turning over documents. The relatively small House general counsel’s office turned to outside lawyers, including Jeffress, for pro-bono help in responding to the high volume of cases.

Key Experience in Subpoena Defense

Doug Letter, former House general counsel, noted that Jeffress was “very heavily involved” in drafting legal arguments to defend subpoenas issued by the committee. This gave her firsthand knowledge of the complex legal questions surrounding House subpoenas to executive branch officials. “This makes perfect sense for Biden to hire her,” Letter said.

While Biden’s aides have their own lawyers, Jeffress would likely not be responsible for handling any legal challenges on their behalf. However, her role as the president’s lawyer places her at the center of the response to parallel Justice Department and House Oversight Committee investigations into Biden’s mental acuity and whether White House staff used an autopen to unilaterally sign pardons on his behalf.

Executive Privilege and Legal Strategy

If Biden or his aides ever try to invoke executive privilege in response to House or Justice Department subpoenas, Jeffress would play an important role in the subsequent legal fight. A person who participated in legal battles over executive privilege on behalf of Trump noted that, “When representing the Jan. 6 committee, she would have done all the research and familiarized herself with the case law and the rules and traditions of the House on subpoenas, particularly in the context of executive privilege which is what she’s going to be raising now.”

They added, “Her role will be to help President Biden navigate that and that will involve coordinating with other lawyers who are representing people close to him. And I think she’s well prepared to do that.”