The attorney representing a woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of participating in multiple gang rapes cannot currently practice law in the state where…
The attorney representing a woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of participating in multiple gang rapes cannot currently practice law in the state where the alleged incidents occurred, bringing into question how he can even assist his client in seeking justice.
Kavanaugh and his childhood friend Mark Judge routinely sexually assaulted women at a series of parties in the early 1980s, according to sworn testimony by accuser Julie Swetnick. Her testimony alleges that Kavanaugh and Judge spiked drinks in order to facilitate a “train” of boys raping various women at houses in the Washington, D. C., suburbs of Maryland. ( RELATED: Who Is Julie Swetnick, The Avenatti Client Accusing Kavanaugh Of Attending Gang Rape Parties?)
Swetnick retained the counsel of Michael Avenatti, the celebrity attorney also currently representing adult film star Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Donald Trump.
It is unclear what use Avenatti might ultimately be for Swetnick, depending on if she wishes to pursue the allegations any further.
Avenatti currently lacks a license to practice law in Maryland where the alleged assaults took place, according to a search of the Maryland Bar directory.
There is also no record of Avenatti holding a law license in D. C., where Swetnick currently resides.
Avenatti’s law firm is currently located in Newport Beach, California, where the bulk of his previous cases as a lawyer have been tried.
If Swetnick wishes to file charges with the police or sue Kavanaugh or Judge in civil court, and retain her current counsel, Avenatti may need to receive special permission from a Maryland or D. C. judge to be admitted “pro hac vice” — only for this special case.
“I do not nor do I need one for the work I am doing. I am able to associate with Maryland lawyers,” Avenatti told The Daily Caller News Foundation, when asked about his status with the state bar association. He did not specify how he intends to advise his client if he cannot legally practice law where she resides or was allegedly assaulted.
Without a law license or special permission from a judge, Avenatti cannot appear in a courtroom on behalf of Swetnick.
Avenatti has faced previous problems in his work for Daniels. Lawyers for Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, told a New York judge in March that it was inappropriate for Avenatti to represent Daniels in a state where he did not hold a law license.
Avenatti stopped representing Daniels in her case against Cohen in May.
Follow Joe on Twitter.
