Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump revels in his status as an outsider, but his campaign is represented by some of the Washington, D.C.’s most accomplished lawyers.
Trump enlisted power firm Jones Day as campaign counsel. The firm, know for uncompromising discretion, seems a fitting partner for the outspoken billionaire, who places serious stock in secrecy. The Jones Day team is led by Donald McGahn, who doubles as Trump’s liaison to K Street. Before joining Jones Day, McGahn spent nearly a decade at Patton Boggs LLP, a name practically synonymous with D.C. influence peddling. He served as chairman of the Federal Election Commission during former President George W. Bush’s administration, where he successfully pushed for reducing federal oversight of campaign financing. An accomplished amateur musician, McGahn plays bass in an 80s cover band that still plays sets on the Jersey Shore.
Jones Day alumni include late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Fox News host Megyn Kelly. The shop’s election law practice also boasts lawyer Ben Ginsburg, national counsel to both the Bush and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney presidential campaigns. Ginsburg assisted former Secretary of State James Baker in running the Bush operation during the 2000 Florida recount. (RELATED: Trump Thought Manziel Would Be A Star)
The Trump Organization engaged the services of “big four” firm Arnold and Porter to help manage real estate assets in D.C. No stranger to controversy, the practice also represents the Washington Redskins in their bid to maintain ownership of several trademarks revoked by the U.S. Patent and Trade Office for offending American Indians.
Firm partner William Bosch, which heads the real estate litigation practice at Arnold and Porter, is currently leading a challenge to a possessory interest tax levied by the city against Trump Old Post Office, which Trump is currently attempting to renovate into a hotel. A possessory interest tax is levied when a tax-exempt entity benefits private entities. The organization owes $1.5 million in taxes to the city from 2015 and 2016. Trump’s lawyers say the tax rate is based on an unfair assessment of the property.
Plans to convert the Old Post Office have spawned additional litigation. Celebrity chefs Jose Andres and Geoffrey Zakarian initially planned to open restaurants in the hotel, but terminated their agreements because of Trump’s inflammatory campaign rhetoric. Trump is represented by Seyfarth Shaw’s Rebecca Woods in that litigation. The Trump Organization is seeking $10 million in damages for breach of contract.
Neither Arnold and Porter nor Seyfarth Shaw are advising or assisting Trump’s presidential campaign.
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