Abbe Lowell: Abramoff's Lawyer...Clinton's Defender...Discuss

[KharmaTrain]

Abbe with Abramoff...



Abbe defending Clinton in '98

Now is Abbe defending a client he feels is truly not guilty and deserves his day in court? Is he a hired gun working for the fame and the fat paycheck? Or could he be Abramoff last hope and is doing the "dirty work" for Democrats from the inside out by getting Abramoff to turn on his buddies and rip this criminal enterprise into the open?

Curious for thoughts...

Cheers...

[WinkyDink]

1. He's a lawyer.

FWIW.

[TaleWgnDg]

2. Exactly. He's a lawyer. That's what lawyers do, i.e., represent ppl.

[KharmaTrain]

4. True...But Aren't There Ethics Involved?

Lowell isn't working pro bono, nor does he need the money. Surely Abramoff came to him in need of his services over any other lawyer in a city crawling with them. He turned to a lifelong Democrat over any of the dozens of Repugnican ones he surely had in his pocket.

[Coastie for Truth]

9. Maybe

He went to he lawyer who could most effectively advocate the strongest defense in his behalf (shortest sentence?). That's what lawyers do - even for guilty people.

[KharmaTrain]

11. Yes...That's Abramoff's Side...Now How About Lowell's?

There's no hippocratic oath in the legal profession. A lawyer isn't required to take on a client if he thinks the client is truly guilty or has other conflicts.

No question Abramoff picked Lowell cause he knew how deep of a mess he was in and wanted someone who could not only give him a strong defense but also know how to play the system. Lowell appears to be the crossroads of both.

Stranger things have happened...there was Bob Bennett, brother of Betamillion Bill Bennett, who was Bill Clinton's laywer during the Paula Jones mess or Roy Black...also a Democrat...who is defending (and quite well) Rushbo in his drug case.

[Coastie for Truth]

14. Not really true.

1. which have been adopted by most states and the District of Columbia.

2. - 49 states and DC require this exam as part of the Bar Exam.

3. Include ethic exam.

[KharmaTrain]

15. Those Look Like Pro Bono Rules

There's nothing that says that an attorney has to take on a client in the way a doctor is required to treat an injured person. This is more like a specialist who can pick and choose the case he wants or the surgery he performs. It's not as if Abramoff isn't getting any representation and that there aren't other lawyers who would gladly take his case and money. There must be a reason why Lowell decided that there's some innocence here or some other reason that would be a motivation to get involved in what will certainly be a very long and complicated process. Yes, good money, but there's a lot of work to earn that money...it's not like he just shows up at court and they hand him a check. Surely he was the one who worked the plea deal and through that is privvy to a lot of information that can and will determine the outcome of this case and possibly the fates of others as well. Again, my question is not only why Lowell was selected (that's really not been answered) and if he took this case, knowing there would be a lot of Repugnican carnage along the way that there might be a side benefit here other than a nice check.

Cheers...

[Cassandra]

3. After watching his face...

when the repukes said that they couldn't let Lewinsky contact her lawyer because he might help her do something illegal (and the look on Lowell's face was utter disbelief), I hope he's getting a HUGE paycheck for this, since he has too much respect for the law to turn on his client. Of course, if he gets Abramoff to squeal, that would be good.

[KharmaTrain]

5. Who Do You Think Got Him To Plea?

He also disclosed he's been working with prosecutors for the last 18 months. I find havin Lowell in this critical position quite interesting.

[Cassandra]

12. Maybe the possibilty of a trip to Florida...

to answer questions about that mob hit.....................hmmmm.

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. I'm sure he has a mortgage payment...a high heating bill and what

not. He's doing what he does I guess. I haven't put much more thought into it than that. No, I dont believe he'll try and "encourage" Abramoff to "spill it all"...I don't believe he's a subversive employee for the prosecution. The GOP is too smart for that and wouldn't let that happen.

On the other hand, he may be a Republican who just happened to see the truth of the railroading of Clinton. :hi:

[Zen Democrat]

7. Notice how all these Republican crooks are hiring Democratic lawyers?

Rove, Libby, DeLay, Abramoff, Matt Cooper and Judy Miller ... all have liberal attorneys. They want INTELLIGENT people representing them.

[Cassandra]

13. Or less ethically compromised people.

Or both.

[rusty_parts2001]

8. Lawyers don't have to agree with the client, think he's innocent , or

ascribe to the client's political beliefs. As long as they zealously defend the client and protect his rights, they are doing nothing more than what they are supposed to do. Its like a doctor treating Adolf Hitler. He's not aiding the enemy, he living up to his professional responsibilities.

[KharmaTrain]

10. Depends On The Lawyer

The classic example is how the ACLU will defend a Nazi...the cause rather than the client is the cause here. Surely Lowell isn't defending Abramoff's cause, and I don't think he needs either the money nor the fame (he was mentioned for a high DOJ position if Al Gore had won) so is there another game playing out here? Again, thinking aloud on a Friday night.