Ted Olson has built himself quite a sterling reputation among his legal peers, so it should come as no surprise that people are practically begging him to turn down an offer to join President Donald Trump‘s army of lawyers.
Olson, described today by The Washington Post as a “legal superstar,” is reportedly coveted by Trump as he seeks to add “top-tier talent” to his team.
The news of the offer comes a day after Trump added a flame-throwing attorney to his arsenal in Joseph diGenova.
Why Olson? He was Assistant Attorney General under Reagan and United States Solicitor General under Bush, and he’s renowned for his work on Citizens United, Bush v. Gore and overturning Proposition 8 in California.
Legal Twitter seems very upset that Olson is “said to be reviewing the offer [to join Trump] while weighing potential conflicts with his clients at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.”
“Ted Olson is a fabulous, fabulous lawyer,” Neal Katyal began, praising Olson’s “ability and carefulness.”
He also quipped that this might rule him out as a candidate to work for Trump “for any sustained period.”
Matthew Miller said the prospect of Olson joining Trump is “disappointing” and that “you can’t represent [Trump] without being complicit” in tearing down institutions that uphold the rule of law.
There are already rumblings, though, that Olson is not going to accept the offer. Olson has denied Trump before.
The firm where he is a partner, interestingly enough, represents Fusion GPS, the source of the infamous Trump dossier.
Update, 1:25 p.m.:
It appears Legal Twitter has gotten its wish.
[Image source: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]
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