Overview

Alina Habba is an American attorney who became one of former President Donald Trump's most visible legal representatives and political surrogates. She rose from relative obscurity as a New Jersey personal injury and family law attorney to become a central figure in Trump's legal defense and political operation. Habba represented Trump in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case; where she was widely criticized for her courtroom performance. In the Carroll trial; a federal jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation; awarding Carroll $5 million in May 2023 and an additional $83.3 million in a subsequent defamation-only trial in January 2024. Judge Lewis Kaplan repeatedly admonished Habba for courtroom conduct issues and procedural missteps. In the $83.3 million case; the jury's massive verdict was seen partly as a response to Habba's aggressive and dismissive approach during trial. She was also sanctioned $1 million by a federal judge in the case of Coral Ridge Ministries Media Inc.; for filing a "frivolous" lawsuit against 22 defendants on Trump's behalf; with the judge finding she had failed to conduct basic legal research before filing. Despite these setbacks; Habba became one of Trump's most trusted legal advisors and political surrogates; appearing frequently on cable news to defend him. In 2025; she was appointed Counselor to the President in the Trump White House; a senior advisory role. She is the managing partner of Habba Madaio & Associates LLP in Bedminster; New Jersey; near Trump's golf club.

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Sources & Documentation

2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports