Attorney Michael Avenatti, who was dubbed “the creepy porn lawyer” by Tucker Carlson of Fox News and who flirted with a presidential run in 2020, announced Tuesday he has dropped as his client porn star Stormy Daniels, the woman who claims to have had a sexual affair with Donald Trump more than a decade ago.
“On February 19, we informed Stormy Daniels in writing that we were terminating our legal representation of her for various reasons that we cannot disclose publicly due to the attorney-client privilege,” Avenatti tweeted on Tuesday.
“This was not a decision we made lightly and it came only after lengthy discussion, thought, and deliberation, as well as consultation with other professionals.”
Please see below statement relating to our representation of Stormy Daniels. pic.twitter.com/RgXd4DXf4X
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 12, 2019
Meanwhile, Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, released her own statement indicating she has found new legal representation.
“I have retained Clark Brewster as my personal lawyer and have asked him and his firm to review all legal matters involving me,” she tweeted.
“Upon completion of Mr. Brewster’s review and further consultation with me, I anticipate Mr. Brewster will serve as my primary counsel on all legal issues.”
I have retained Clark Brewster as my personal lawyer and have asked him and his firm to review all legal matters involving me. Upon completion of Mr. Brewster’s review and further consultation with me, I anticipate Mr. Brewster will serve as my primary counsel on all legal issues
— Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) March 12, 2019
Avenatti’s departure from Daniels’ team is at odds with a statement he made in December, when he insisted he would remain the attorney for the pornographic actress in connection with her lawsuit over a non-disclosure agreement handled by Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen.
“I will continue to represent Stormy Daniels and others against Donald Trump and his cronies and will not rest until Trump is removed from office, and our republic and its values are restored,” Avenatti said at the time.
Avenatti made that statement as he was announcing he would not seek the Democratic nomination for president.
“After consultation with my family and at their request, I have decided not to seek the Presidency of the United States in 2020,” Avenatti said.
“I do not make this decision lightly – I make it out of respect for my family. But for their concerns, I would run.”
As Avenatti withdrew his name from consideration, he noted his lack of confidence in Democrats nominating someone with a “real chance” of ousting the incumbent commander in chief.
“I remain concerned that the Democratic Party will move toward nominating an individual who might make an exceptional President but has no chance of actually beating Donald Trump,” he said.
“The party must immediately recognize that many of the likely candidates are not battletested and have no real chance of winning. We will not prevail in 2020 without a fighter. I remain hopeful the party finds one.”
RELATED:Â Avenatti: Likely Dem candidates have ‘no real chance of winning’
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