Donald Trump has announced that Alina Habba, a lawyer who has been central to his recent legal battles, will take on the role of presidential counselor as he aims for a return to the White House. This move elevates Habba, 40, from a relatively unknown litigator to a key advisor in Trump’s inner circle, recognizing her “unwavering loyalty” and dedication as a “tireless advocate for justice,” as stated by Trump.
Alina Habba first gained national attention as part of Trump’s legal team during some of his most high-stakes legal challenges. Her prominent role included the historic hush-money trial in New York, where Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records, and a contentious defamation trial where her courtroom clashes with the judge made headlines.
The position of presidential counselor is distinct from that of White House counsel, the president’s chief legal advisor. In Trump’s first term, Kellyanne Conway held this role, which typically involves a broader advisory capacity, encompassing communications and strategy alongside legal counsel.
Habba’s background is marked by a compelling personal history. Born in New Jersey, she is the daughter of Chaldean Catholic immigrants who fled persecution in Iraq in the early 1980s. Trump emphasized this heritage in his announcement, highlighting Habba as “a first-generation American of Middle Eastern heritage” and a “role model for women in law and politics.”
Before embarking on her legal career, Habba spent several years in the fashion industry, working for the renowned American brand Marc Jacobs after graduating from university. Later, she shifted her focus back to academia, earning her law degree from Widener University in Pennsylvania in 2010, a smaller institution that nonetheless provided the foundation for her legal career.
Her early legal experience included a clerkship for New Jersey Superior Court Judge Eugene Codey Jr., followed by years in private practice before she established her own firm in 2020. It was reportedly a meeting at Trump’s Bedminster, New Jersey, country club – also the location of her law firm – that led to her joining Trump’s personal legal team in 2021.
Seeking legal representation amid ongoing challenges to the 2020 election results and a growing number of lawsuits, Trump selected Habba from her relatively small firm to become one of his most visible lawyers. She quickly became a staunch defender of the Republican leader, frequently appearing in the media and joining him on the campaign trail.
One early success in her representation of Trump was the withdrawal of a sexual assault lawsuit by former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos. Beyond this, Habba was deeply involved in several significant cases, including a $100 million lawsuit Trump initiated against the New York Times and his niece, Mary Trump, concerning his tax records. This case was ultimately dismissed, and Trump was ordered to cover nearly $400,000 in legal fees.
Another major case where Habba represented Trump was the New York civil fraud case against him and his children. This case resulted in a judge ordering Trump to pay hundreds of millions of dollars after finding him liable for fraudulently inflating property values.
However, it was the civil lawsuit brought by E Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of assault in the 1990s, that brought Habba’s courtroom demeanor into sharp focus. Her interactions with Judge Lewis Kaplan were frequently marked by tension. In a particularly notable moment during closing arguments, Judge Kaplan threatened Habba with jail time for attempting to introduce social media posts not previously admitted as evidence. “Ms. Habba, you are on the verge of spending some time in the lock-up, now sit down,” the judge warned, highlighting the intensity of their courtroom exchanges.
Throughout the Carroll case and others, Judge Kaplan repeatedly reprimanded Habba for procedural missteps, including improper evidence introduction, speaking without standing, and at one point, questioning her understanding of the word “none.” She also clashed with Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over Trump’s civil fraud case, labeling the 74-year-old veteran judge as “unhinged.”
Despite these contentious courtroom moments, Trump has consistently praised Habba, particularly after she secured an admission from his former fixer, Michael Cohen, of having previously committed perjury while testifying.
Her role as Trump’s lead legal aide has deepened her involvement in his broader circle. Habba is a regular presence at Trump’s clubs in New Jersey and Florida. On her 39th birthday in 2023, she publicly celebrated with Trump, posting a photo of them together and predicting his return to the presidency. Beyond her legal role, she is also a senior advisor for MAGA Inc, a political action committee supporting Trump’s re-election efforts, further cementing her position within Trump’s political and personal orbit.
Alina Habba’s journey from fashion industry to prominent lawyer and now presidential counselor reflects a rapid ascent in the legal and political spheres, driven by her unwavering support for Donald Trump and her assertive approach to legal advocacy. Her future role will be closely watched as Trump navigates the complex landscape of US politics.
