When Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook hired attorney Abbe Lowell to challenge her firing, and CDC Director Susan Monarez retained both Lowell and Mark Zaid after her ouster, a clear pattern emerged. One of Washington's most established defense attorneys has carved out a lucrative new practice: representing high-profile targets of the Trump administration's accountability efforts.
The data tells the story. In 2025 alone, Lowell has represented Lisa Cook, Susan Monarez, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former Trump official Miles Taylor, and aforementioned whistleblower attorney Zaid—all figures facing Trump administration investigations or actions.
It's a curious pattern that has emerged: Lowell appears to be the attorney of choice when it comes to folks targeted for firing by the Trump administration.
Abbe Lowell built his reputation over four decades as Washington's ultimate equal-opportunity defense attorney. He was chief minority counsel to U.S. House of Representatives Democratic members during the impeachment of Bill Clinton, but also represented both Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump in inquiries linked to Russia during the first Trump administration.
His client list historically included figures from both parties: Democratic senators Bob Menendez and John Edwards, Republican Nevada governor Jim Gibbons, and even Trump family members during the Russia investigation. Lowell's bread and butter was representing powerful people in legal trouble, regardless of political affiliation.
In December 2022, Lowell joined Hunter Biden's legal team as President Biden's son faced multiple federal charges. His aggressive defense strategy included letters urging prosecutors to launch investigations into John Paul Mac Isaac, who he accused of "unlawfully" accessing Biden's laptop data.
"Abbe is not cheap, and you don't bring in Abbe unless you want to go to war or prevent one," said a source familiar with Lowell's hiring. The Hunter Biden representation put Lowell squarely in Trump's crosshairs during the 2024 campaign, as Trump and his allies repeatedly targeted both the president's son and his legal team.
When Trump was re-elected in 2025, it appears that Lowell was destined to take on Trump on multiple fronts, whether intentionally or not.
Lowell left Winston & Strawn in May 2025 to launch Lowell & Associates, specifically to represent "those facing politicized investigations" and other legal actions from the Trump administration. The move wasn't subtle about its purpose.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, former Trump administration official Miles Taylor and whistleblower lawyer Mark Zaid are among the firm's first clients.
Look at the current roster:
Lisa Cook: Trump cited a "criminal referral" from Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte, in which Pulte accused Cook of mortgage fraud. Lowell said "President Trump has no authority to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. His attempt to fire her, based solely on a referral letter, lacks any factual or legal basis".
Susan Monarez: The CDC director was out after just one month on the job. Her lawyers Mark Zaid and Abbe David Lowell issued a statement that said she had neither resigned nor been told she was fired, claiming "When CDC Director Susan Monarez refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts, she chose protecting the public over serving a political agenda".
Letitia James: The New York Attorney General successfully sued Trump and his company for fraud, resulting in a $354 million civil fraud fine. Since Trump took office, James has been referred to the Department of Justice for investigation by a federal agency over mortgage fraud allegations, which she denies.
Miles Taylor: The former Trump administration employee wrote the high-profile 2018 "Anonymous" op-ed in the New York Times. Trump has now called him a "traitor," and in a presidential memorandum ordered Taylor stripped of any security clearances.
From its first day in existence, Lowell & Associates made it clear the new firm intended to represent individuals targeted by the administration. In the months since, Lowell has been hired by Justice Department officials fired for their role in prosecuting or publicizing Jan. 6 cases; a FEMA official fired after she approved funding to New York City to pay for hotel rooms for undocumented immigrants; a California union leader arrested while protesting ICE raids in Los Angeles; and FBI officials fired after clashing with the White House.
The firm even hired attorneys who quit prestigious practices in protest. Joining Lowell at the new firm are Brenna Trout Frey and Rachel Cohen, both of whom resigned publicly from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP over what Trout Frey described as the firm's "capitulating to the Trump administration's demands for fealty and protection money".
What Lowell's emergence as the pre-eminent anti-Trump lawyer reveals is how Trump's second term differs from traditional approaches to government accountability.
Previous administrations typically focused on specific cases of alleged wrongdoing. Trump appears to be taking a broader approach to addressing what his supporters see as years of weaponized government against him. He is, as his supporters say, "draining the swamp." But Lowell isn't just playing defense in protecting that swamp. He has used media appearances to advocate for his clients in the court of public opinion and criticize the president and the Justice Department.
Is it activism or a sound business decision?