New York, N.Y. — New York Attorney General Letitia James has enlisted a prestigious law firm to navigate increasing federal scrutiny amid ongoing investigations. She has retained Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP to address federal subpoenas issued by prosecutors in Albany, although details regarding the cost of the legal representation remain undisclosed.
James’ decision to hire outside counsel reflects a significant escalation in the Republican-led investigations targeting her office, particularly as she continues her legal challenges against the Trump administration. Supporters of James argue that the investigations are politically motivated, claiming that Trump is leveraging the Department of Justice against her. Conversely, Republican opponents assert that James has unfairly pursued investigations against Trump and others aligned with conservative values.
The law firm is bringing a robust team to represent James, which includes Martin Estrada, who previously served as a U.S. attorney, as well as Brad Brian and Hailyn Chen, co-managing partners. In another layer of her legal strategy, James also hired Abbe Lowell to represent her in a separate inquiry into alleged fraud related to mortgage applications.
The Albany investigation seeks documentation concerning James’s lawsuits against the National Rifle Association and her civil fraud case involving Trump. Last month, James acknowledged her office had received subpoenas but refrained from commenting further. She has defended the appropriateness of her work, stating, “Every day I walk into the office of the attorney general, I do my job.”
A spokesperson for acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone—who is overseeing the federal probe—declined to provide commentary. Sarcone, who previously ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination against James in 2022, was appointed to his position earlier this year.
Critics of James have long argued that her investigations are politically charged. Her case against the NRA focuses on alleged improper spending by its former executives, which raises questions about the organization’s status as a registered charity in New York. In a related legal matter, a judge previously assessed a hefty penalty against Trump for misrepresenting property values to secure better loan terms; however, a mid-level appeals court recently voided that ruling, prompting James’ office to appeal again.
Republican U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik voiced support for Sarcone’s investigations, asserting that it represents a necessary pursuit of justice. She claimed James would face the consequences of her own actions, referencing the attorney general’s prior declaration that “no one is above the law.”
Sarcone’s inquiry is reportedly distinct from an ongoing investigation into whether James made false statements on various documentation related to properties she owns in Brooklyn and Virginia. Federal records indicate that allegations from the Federal Housing Finance Agency assert James made misleading claims regarding her intended use of a Virginia property and the configuration of her Brooklyn residence.
William Pulte, the director of the FHFA, suggested that James’ assertions permitted her to secure favorable loan conditions. In response to the claims, James dismissed them as unfounded and retaliatory. Recently, a special federal prosecutor investigating these claims, Ed Martin Jr., visited her Brooklyn home.
In solidarity, attorneys general from various states have expressed their support for James, asserting that the investigations are politically charged and lacking legitimate justification. They referenced past public comments from Trump and others as evidence of a broader agenda against her.
Under New York law, state employees can have legal fees covered if the actions they face are job-related. It is anticipated that Lowell’s expenses for representing James in the mortgage inquiry will be funded through a $10 million allocation in the current state budget intended for individuals subjected to perceived discriminatory or retaliatory investigations by the federal government.
As of now, the state comptroller’s office confirmed no expenses related to the ongoing investigations have been incurred.
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