Newsom hires prominent litigator Abbe Lowell to fight DOJ probe

Source: Politico

07/16/2026 05:18 PM EDT


Gavin Newsom has retained prominent defense lawyer Abbe Lowell to represent him as federal investigators probe the California governor’s circle, according to two people familiar with the arrangement.

The Democratic governor hired Lowell to represent him and first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom in a private capacity, according to the people, who were granted anonymity to discuss the hiring. A representative for Newsom declined to comment and a representative for Lowell did not respond to a request for comment.

The hiring of Lowell, who for years has represented some of Washington’s highest-profile figures, speaks to the politically explosive nature of the Department of Justice’s investigation, which Newsom has slammed as a baseless act of retribution — and a continuation of Trump’s history of targeting political opponents.

Many of those foes are also Lowell clients, including Hunter Biden, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook — a roster that has cemented Lowell’s status as the go-to lawyer for people under Trump administration scrutiny.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/16/gavin-newsom-hires-abbe-lowell-doj-probe-01001798