President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of his personal lawyer, Alina Habba, as a counselor to the president in his upcoming administration. In a statement released on Sunday, Trump praised Habba for her unwavering loyalty and determination, highlighting her strong support throughout his legal battles and court appearances.
At 40 years old, Habba is the managing partner of Habba Madaio & Associates LLP and has become a key figure in Trump’s legal team, frequently defending him in high-profile cases. She successfully defended Trump in a defamation lawsuit filed by Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice, who accused him of sexual assault. The case was ultimately dropped. Habba also represented Trump in a lawsuit filed by his niece, Mary Trump, over an inheritance dispute, which was dismissed. Additionally, she helped Trump in a countersuit against his niece for providing financial documents to The New York Times.
Habba gained further public attention for her role in the civil lawsuit brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll, who alleged sexual assault in the 1990s. Her interactions with U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan during the case were notably contentious.
In addition to her legal work, Habba has been a prominent supporter of Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign. She served as a senior adviser for his main super PAC and appeared at several campaign events, including a rally at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Trump also made several other key appointments, including Christopher Landau as deputy secretary of state. Trump commended Landau for his work as Ambassador to Mexico, particularly his efforts to reduce illegal migration. Landau will collaborate closely with Trump’s Secretary of State nominee, Marco Rubio, to advance an “America First Foreign Policy.” Additionally, Trump named Michael Needham, a former senior Rubio aide, as counselor at the State Department and appointed Michael Anton, a former Trump administration official, as director of policy planning at the State Department.
