One of the lawyers representing Donald Trump in his hush money trial has been hit with negative online reviews.
Susan Necheles is among the former president's defense team in the falsifying business records case in New York. She was the lead attorney in the cross-examination of adult film star Stormy Daniels, whom Trump is alleged to have arranged for his lawyer Michael Cohen to pay $130,000 to keep an alleged affair she had with the Republican ahead of the 2016 election quiet.
Necheles was highly criticized by some for her questioning of Daniels during last week's proceedings, including being too confrontational with the actor during cross-examination and for the line of questioning's lack of relevance to the criminal case. Judge Juan Merchan also questioned why Trump's legal team failed to object to Daniels' at times salacious testimony before seeking a mistrial.
Writing in his Original Jurisdiction blog, former federal prosecutor turned legal commentator David Lat said that if Trump's lawyers can secure an acquittal or a hung jury in the hush money trial, their "reputations as trial lawyers will be greatly enhanced." Lat also suggested Necheles "could use the boost, since Trump foes have taken over" her online reviews.
Since Necheles' questioning of Daniels, multiple Google users have left one-star reviews for the lawyer or given sarcastic ratings about her performance.
One example cited by Lat reads: "Awesome lawyer. I attempted a coup in my South American island nation, and she helped me avoid prison. She was savvy enough to get me an escape plane in which I could load in my gold bars so I could be safe in Miami. Would recommend to any would-be dictator."
Another one-star review said: "She picks the worst clients (i.e. Trump) Good luck getting paid!"
Nick Lipp wrote in a review: "She's a LAWYER representing a presidential nominee who has vowed to ABOLISH THE CONSTITUITION. Don't worry he says he'll only do it for a day.
"His justification is widespread voter fraud that he failed to produce any evidence of in over SIXTY TRIALS. Including multiple TRUMP APPOINTED JUDGES. I hope the money was worth it."
However, the Trump lawyer has also seen some positive Google reviews posted since she led the cross-examination of Daniels.
"Susan helped me when I needed it. She's very passionate about her job. U can tell she loves her work," a user posted in a five-star on Sunday.
Necheles has been contacted for comment via email.
Norm Eisen, who served as a special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during Trump's first impeachment, was one of those who criticized Necheles' recent performance during the hush money proceedings in New York, including suggesting she was "more aggressive" with Daniels on her second day of testimony.
"It was clear that Trump's lawyers wanted to swing big and, unfortunately for them, they struck out. The defense may have fared better if they did not have such a formidable witness in Daniels," Eisen told Newsweek.
"For instance, after one of defense lawyer Susan Necheles' attempts to discredit her, Daniels used it as an opportunity to highlight the power imbalance between her and Trump."
The falsifying business records trial is set to resume on Monday with testimony from Cohen.
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About the writer
Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, domestic policy ... Read more
