A relatively unknown law firm in New Jersey, Habba Madaio & Associates, has gained prominence by representing former President Donald Trump in various high-profile lawsuits. Led by managing partner Alina Habba, the firm is located near the Trump Bedminster golf course. Trump’s political action committees have paid the firm $6.9 million for their legal services, including representing him in cases such as the defamation lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll and the civil fraud trial filed by the New York attorney general. Despite being found liable in both cases and ordered to pay fines totaling $538 million, Trump is appealing the verdicts.
The law firm has been paid millions by Trump’s political action committees since February 2022, with additional fees still owed. Official filings reveal that Trump’s Save America and Make America Great Again PACs have paid Habba Madaio for their litigation and counseling services. The firm specializes in civil, commercial, and business-related matters and has not represented any other candidates. It remains unclear if Habba Madaio received payments directly from Trump or his associates, and both parties have not commented on the matter.
In addition to the defamation and fraud cases, Habba and her partner Michael Madaio have represented Trump in seven other legal battles. This includes a lawsuit against Trump’s niece, Mary L. Trump, and the New York Times, accusing her of providing information for an article about his taxes. While the case against the Times was dismissed, Trump’s suit against his niece is ongoing. Habba first represented Trump in 2021 in a defamation suit brought by Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos, which was dropped after she joined his legal team.
Habba Madaio’s other cases for Trump include representing him in a suit against Trump Tower protesters and an ongoing lawsuit by a voting-machine warehouse supervisor in Pennsylvania. The firm also worked on former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen’s suit alleging retaliatory imprisonment, which was dismissed. Habba has incurred legal bills of her own as a result of her work for Trump, with a judge ordering them to jointly pay $938,000 in sanctions over a lawsuit against Hillary Clinton for racketeering conspiracy. Despite the setback, Habba has said that she and Trump paid the fine.
Overall, Habba Madaio & Associates has seen a significant increase in their profile and financial gains due to their representation of Donald Trump in various legal cases. The firm’s successful defense in some lawsuits, such as the defamation suit brought by Summer Zervos, has bolstered their reputation. However, the ongoing appeal of verdicts in high-profile cases, including the defamation lawsuit by E. Jean Carroll, raises questions about the future of their legal representation for the former president. The firm’s association with Trump’s political action committees and the lack of transparency regarding payments further add intrigue to their involvement in these high-stakes legal battles. So there is still a lot in the air about the relationship between Trump and the law firm that only a few years ago was little-known.
