The Abbe Lowell Effect

Tom Borman, LawFuel contributing writer

Abbe Lowell has always thrived on crisis. A Columbia Law grad and former DOJ lawyer, he was the Democrats’ legal field marshal during the Clinton impeachment. Since then, he’s defended a rogue’s gallery of Washington names: Senator Bob Menendez (twice), John Edwards, Jared Kushner and Hunter Biden.

Described as the ‘go to lawyer from Trump targets’ by the Wall Street Journal, Lowell’s client list reads like the political police blotter of the last three decades.

In May 2025, Lowell bailed on Winston & Strawn and set up Lowell & Associates, taking a squad of fellow defectors from Winston and Skadden to build a boutique designed for the Trump era—defending officials and lawyers suddenly finding themselves in the former president’s crosshairs.

It was a calculated risk, but one that positioned him as the unofficial public defender for Trump’s enemies.

As founding member of Lowell & Associates, his courtroom prowess spans over 15 states and 20 federal districts, tackling everything from public corruption and financial fraud to conspiracy and defamation cases.

Not bad for a 73 year old feisty battler with a raft of profile political clients to represent.

Lowell’s resume reads like a legal hall of fame. He served as Chief Minority Counsel during President Clinton’s impeachment proceedings and worked as Special Counsellor to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights across multiple international venues.

His academic credentials shine equally bright, teaching criminal procedure, evidence, and trial practice at both Georgetown Law Center and Columbia Law School.

His appellate experience is equally impressive, with arguments before more than half the federal courts of appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Trump’s New Favorite Villain Defense Attorney

Lowell’s most high-profile brief this summer is for Lisa Cook, (pictured) the first Black woman on the Federal Reserve Board, who is suing Trump over his unprecedented attempt to sack her.

The case, Cook v. Trump, is now the legal stress-test for Federal Reserve independence, and Lowell is front and center arguing that Trump’s claims of “for cause” dismissal are constitutionally empty.

He’s also representing Susan Monarez (ex-CDC deputy director), New York AG Letitia James, whistleblower lawyer Mark Zaid, ex-DHS chief Miles Taylor and others swept out by the second Trump administration.

The Man, The Myth,

Lowell’s reputation is a unique cocktail of brilliance and bristle. Former colleagues describe him as “relentless” and “exhausting.”

He cultivates media attention with his profile cases as aggressively as he fights subpoenas and cases.

He’s argued landmark cases at the Supreme Court, navigated congressional investigations and repeatedly rescued careers that were declared finished. At 73, he still burns through more coffee and clients than most firms manage in a year with a relentless work ethic.

Case in Point: Cook v. Trump

Lisa Cook’s suit, filed August 28, 2025, is the first legal challenge to a president firing a sitting Fed governor in over a century. Judge Jia Cobb immediately scheduled a hearing, underscoring the stakes: if Trump wins, Fed independence is toast.

If Lowell wins, the court system reminds presidents that their power isn’t absolute. Either way, Lowell is exactly where he likes to be, handling difficult, challenging cases that usually have strong political issues but which challenge the power of the federal government.

Lowell has used his public profile via media appearances to advocate for his clients in the court of public opinion and levelled criticism as the federal administration and Justice Department in a way that places him at the epicenter of some of the most significant political and legal issues facing the country.