Joe Tacopina, a prominent New York trial lawyer known for representing high-profile clients, is withdrawing from his role as one of former President Trump’s attorneys. Tacopina had been involved in Trump’s criminal hush money case, one of four indictments the former president is facing, and a sexual battery civil lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll.
The reasons behind Tacopina’s decision to withdraw are not clear, and he confirmed the withdrawal without providing further details to The Hill. This development comes a day before Carroll, who previously won a $5 million judgment against Trump, is set to take him to trial again, seeking damages for defamation. It coincides with the Iowa caucuses, where Trump is a significant favorite as he pursues the GOP presidential nomination in 2024.
While Tacopina is not part of the legal team for the upcoming Carroll trial, he was representing Trump in the appeal of last year’s verdict. On Monday, Tacopina submitted a notice seeking to withdraw himself and his firm as Trump’s counsel in that appeal.
Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, emphasized the strength of Trump’s legal team and dismissed any speculation about the departure of Tacopina. Trump has a history of changing legal representation in various legal matters, including significant shake-ups in crucial moments.
Tacopina, a former Brooklyn prosecutor, has a track record of representing celebrities such as Michael Jackson, A-Rod, Meek Mill, and Don Imus. He is currently representing A$AP Rocky in a case involving two criminal assault counts. However, his representation of Trump marked a high-profile involvement in the first criminal indictment of a former president.
Last year, Tacopina defended Trump in a civil lawsuit brought by E. Jean Carroll, where the jury found Trump not liable for rape but liable for sexual abuse, awarding Carroll $5 million. Despite not testifying in that trial, Trump has expressed regret and vowed to attend Carroll’s upcoming trial against him for defamation.
