Trump’s Elite Legal Team at Sullivan & Cromwell Collapses Ahead of Appeals

President Donald Trump’s top-tier legal defense team at the prestigious law firm Sullivan & Cromwell is rapidly unraveling just weeks before several critical appeals are set to be filed in 2026. Once comprised of five elite partners—all former Supreme Court clerks and key legal figures—Trump’s legal representation has dwindled down to a single lead attorney as others have departed for rival firms or judicial and administrative roles.

Elite Partners Depart, Leaving Giuffra Jr. as Sole Lead

Trump’s defense team initially featured five of Sullivan & Cromwell’s partners, including one who previously served as acting solicitor general—a distinguished role that adds significant weight to the team’s credentials. However, since April 2026, these high-profile lawyers have steadily exited the case. Some accepted positions within Trump’s administration or judiciary appointments, while others moved to competing law firms. This exodus has left Robert Giuffra Jr., the co-chair of Sullivan & Cromwell, as the last remaining partner actively leading Trump’s legal battles.

Upcoming Appeals Demand Extensive Legal Resources

Giuffra Jr. still faces a formidable workload, with several major appeals looming. In October 2026, Sullivan & Cromwell is expected to submit a brief appealing Trump’s New York criminal conviction related to the Manhattan hush money scandal. Additionally, later in August 2026, the firm plans to file another brief in the appeal of the civil fraud case initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James. These cases carry significant legal complexity and public scrutiny, making the loss of multiple seasoned partners particularly notable.

Firm Plans to Rebuild Team Amid Unusual Circumstances

An anonymous source within Sullivan & Cromwell told Politico that the firm intends to bolster Trump’s legal team by adding new partners over the next two weeks. This move aims to address the unusual situation of Giuffra Jr. potentially handling three high-stakes appeals solo—an uncommon scenario for a case of this magnitude. In July 2026, Giuffra Jr. and a junior attorney were the only Sullivan & Cromwell signatories on a Supreme Court petition challenging an $83.3 million defamation verdict awarded to E. Jean Carroll, highlighting how thin the firm’s involvement has become.

Implications for Trump’s Legal Strategy

The rapid attrition of top-tier lawyers from Trump’s Sullivan & Cromwell team raises questions about the sustainability and strategic direction of his legal defense. Managing multiple complex appeals with limited senior legal support could strain resources and affect case outcomes. Furthermore, the transitions reflect broader political and legal challenges facing Trump, as well as the difficulty of assembling and retaining elite legal counsel amid high-profile, controversial cases.

As the legal battles intensify through late 2026, all eyes will be on Giuffra Jr. and the firm’s efforts to rebuild its team in time to meet critical filing deadlines. The unfolding situation underscores the pressures surrounding one of the most closely watched legal defenses in recent American political history.