Jared Kushner Joins Ranks of Abbe Lowell Clients
Kushner retained the Chadbourne & Parke partner to represent him amid the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Here's a look at Lowell's distinguished client list.
June 27, 2017 at 08:44 AM
22 minute read
In hiring Abbe Lowell, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner has retained something of a legal legend.
Kushner retained the Chadbourne & Parke partner to represent him amid the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion between President Donald Trump's campaign and the Russians, several news outlets reported late Monday. Kushner already employs Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr partner Jamie Gorelick, who confirmed in a statement that Lowell joined his legal team.
Gorelick said that after Wilmer partner Robert Mueller III became special counsel for the Russia investigation, the firm recommended Kushner seek independent legal advice on whether to keep working with Wilmer. Kushner decided to add Lowell following the initial discussions.
Lowell has represented a slew of high-profile politicians, most of whom are Democrats. But his lengthy and prominent client list isn't limited to the left. Here's a look at Lowell's distinguished client club:
Sen. Bob Menendez
Lowell may be a bit preoccupied should Kushner's legal needs continue for months. Lowell also represents Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, who will face 22 corruption charges at a trial slated for Sept. 6. Menendez is accused of taking gifts from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen in exchange for favors.
A jury convicted Melgen of 67 charges related to his operation of a massive Medicare fraud scheme, though it's unclear how that conviction will affect Menendez's case.
Sen. John Edwards
Former Sen. John Edwards, D-North Carolina, enlisted Lowell's help while on trial for misusing campaign funds. Edwards was accused of soliciting donations during his 2008 presidential run to cover up an affair and love child he had while his wife battled cancer.
In 2012, a jury found Edwards not guilty on one of six counts, and declared a mistrial on the others.
Jack Abramoff
Jack Abramoff is one of Lowell's best-known D.C. clients. Abramoff, a former lobbyist at Greenberg Traurig and highly influential figure during the George W. Bush years, faced several federal investigations for his lobbying activities. He was sentenced to six years in prison in 2006 for mail fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials.
He was released in 2010 and recently got back in the game by registering to lobby as a foreign agent for work he did just last year.
Jill Kelley
The 2012 scandal surrounding CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus started with Jill Kelley. Kelley, a Tampa socialite who threw parties and events for military officials in her community, reported threatening emails about her to the FBI in 2012. The threats were sent to her husband and friends.
Those emails reportedly came from Petraeus' mistress and biographer, Paula Broadwell, and spurred the FBI's investigation into Petraeus' affair. Kelly retained Lowell during the controversy as questions arose about whether she had exploited her friendship with military officials. Kelley also hired crisis guru Judy Smith, the inspiration for the TV drama “Scandal.”
Sean 'Diddy' Combs
Yes, Lowell represented the artist formerly known as Puff Daddy. Rapper and entrepreneur Sean Combs faced a Federal Elections Commission complaint in 2004 over his “Vote or Die” campaign.
A conservative group alleged Combs' campaign, geared toward registering voters, broke federal contribution and electioneering rules. Lowell said in a 2013 interview that his representation of Combs “makes a lot of sense when you think about it,” because he often battled the FEC for other clients in his practice. The two met through an “entertainment lawyer friend” of Lowell's. The FEC cleared Combs of all wrongdoing in 2006.
Rep. Gary Condit
California Democratic congressman Gary Condit had an affair with a 23-year-old named Chandra Levy in 2001. She went missing shortly after the relationship allegedly ended, and her body was later found in D.C.'s Rock Creek Park.
Lowell represented Condit during the homicide investigation, though the congressman was never a suspect. A suspect was indicted in 2009, but charges were dropped in 2016 because a witness lied. The identity of Levy's murderer is still unknown and Condit sued several news outlets over coverage of his connection to the case.
Lowell was quoted in the Washington Post in 2015 as saying “the evidence is so clear that former congressman Condit had nothing to do with the disappearance of Chandra Levy that they may as well be blaming Vladimir Putin.”
Gov. George Pataki
Former New York Gov. George Pataki, a Republican presidential contender in the 2016 cycle, retained Lowell in 2013. Pataki, now counsel at Chadbourne, hired Lowell three weeks before he went on trial. He was accused of violating the rights of convicted sex offenders by sending them to psychiatric facilities on release from prison without hearings or notice under his 2005 Sexually Violent Predator Initiative.
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