Ty Cobb: A Legal Luminary with a Diverse Career Path
Lucy King – Ty Cobb, as a former White House lawyer known for his critical stance on Donald Trump in recent times, is a man worth listening to regarding both his former boss and the unprecedented decision of the Colorado Supreme Court that disqualified Trump from Colorado’s presidential primary ballot.
Cobb predicts that the U.S. Supreme Court, which hinges on a 14th Amendment provision that precludes officials who have participated in an insurrection from holding office.
The crux of the matter lies in whether the term “officer of the United States,” as mentioned in the amendment, applies to presidents, he told The Hill news site. Cobb contends that it does not, stating, “The law is really clear, despite what I once believed, that Trump is not an ‘officer’ as used in that article.”
He references multiple Supreme Court decisions that do not conclude officers include the president or vice president in this context.
The Colorado Supreme Court decision is on hold until Jan. 4 to allow Trump to first seek review from the U.S. Supreme Court and his name will remain on the ballot until the Judges decide on the matter.
Who is Ty Cobb?
Born in 1950 in the heart of Great Bend, Kansas, Ty Cobb emerged from humble beginnings to become a formidable figure in American law. The son of Grover C. Cobb, a prominent radio station owner and senior executive vice-president of the National Association of Broadcasters.
Cobb’s academic journey took him to Harvard University for his undergraduate studies, where he formed a friendship with future Senator Al Franken.
He then went to Georgetown Law School, cementing his path in the legal field, serving as a law clerk for a federal judge before taking on the role of Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.
His tenure from 1981 to 1986 saw him head the region’s drug enforcement and organized crime task force.
Career Turning Point
Cobb joined the Baltimore law firm Miles and Stockbridge in 1986, later moving to Hogan & Hartson, now known as Hogan Lovells.
His legal practice saw him defending high profile clients including Hudson Foods in the E. coli outbreak case and Democratic fundraiser John Huang. He also represented organizations like Eli Segal, Mary McCarthy, AIG, Office Depot, the House of Saud, IBM, and Medtronic.
Displaying an analytical mind and strong legal instincts, combined with a strong sense of justice and fairness he has been able to stand both within the Trump camp and outside also, retaining a sense of proportion but with unique insights into the Trump mind.
He has retained a leading position as a top criminal defense lawyer, including recognition in many legal rankings, including the top 100 criminal defense attorneys ranking.
Dramatic Turn
Cobb’s career took a dramatic turn when he joined the White House in July 2017 to oversee matters related to Robert Mueller’s special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections.
As a member of the internal legal team, he reported directly to President Trump. He described his White House tenure as an ‘impossible task with a deadline,’ marked by his characteristic forthrightness and commitment to justice.
He retired from the role in 2018 and diverged from Trump in his views on the Mueller investigation as a ‘witch hunt’, describing Mueller as “an American hero”.
But he has more recently become more critical of Trump, openly critizing Trump’s actions surrounding the 2020 presidential election and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Ty Cobb’s journey through the legal landscape reflects a life dedicated to upholding justice, irrespective of political affiliations. His career, marked by high-profile cases and a stint at the epicenter of American politics, showcases a legal mind both rigorous and adaptable, traits that have defined his distinguished career.
