He may have confessed to never having listened to a rap song when he first defended a rapper, but Drew Findling, an Atlanta-based attorney with over three decades of experience, has come a long way from that confession. In fact, he has come such a long way that he had earned a distinctive moniker from late Memphis rapper Young Dolph, “The Billion Dollar Lawyer”. He’s revered within Atlanta’s rap community, but now, his stage is set for a far more controversial client – former President Donald Trump. The nickname isn’t a passing comment by Young Dolph; it’s a testament to Mr. Findling’s high-profile status within the hip-hop world and his robust track record.
Garnishing a reputation as a powerhouse lawyer known for defending the big names in the mecca of black entertainment, from Cardi B to Waka Flocka Flame, Mr. Findling finds himself on the front line of an altogether different showdown. He was hired last year to represent Mr. Trump in the criminal investigation into election interference in the state of Georgia from the 2020 election. Becoming Mr. Trump’s defender places Mr. Findling squarely at the crossroads of his career. Here is a notoriously tough client who often discounts legal advice and aims to postpone the Georgia case until 2026, and a lawyer described by ex-clients as a “Robin Hood with Jesus swag”.
While the lawyer’s hip hop clientele initiated him to the nuances of free speech as it applies to the world of rap, his new case with Mr. Trump necessitates a different type of argument. Rather than dissect verse lyrics from a rap song, Mr. Findling now has to assert that the actions of an American President were merely aspirational. The former president’s legal team has indicated a heavy reliance on a free speech defense to challenge the charges in this case and a separate election subversion case ruled by the federal government.
It’s a political dance with higher stakes than his previous trials. That includes his work for Demetrius Flenory, a.k.a Big Meech, whom Mr. Findling helped secure acquittal for murder charges in 2003. This case shot Mr. Findling into the limelight and garnered him a reputation as a defender who could open the cross-racial dialogue. Reflecting on his career trajectory, Mr. Findling said, “I do not believe that we choose our client or clients based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, political belief or the substantive issues involved in the crime.”
However, Mr. Findling doesn’t hide from his political stance. As an avowed liberal, he’s openly criticized the former president, calling him “pathetic” and “racist”. He’s even donated $1,440 (£1,130) to Democrat Fani Willis’ successful bid as the top prosecutor in Georgia’s most populous county. These statements and actions add a unique twist to their attorney-client relationship. Despite the partisan lines in the sand, Mr. Findling seems to share the sentiments expressed by John Adams, the second US president, who was famously known for setting aside personal prejudice to represent British soldiers accused in the 1770 Boston Massacre.
Whether music mogul or ex-president, Mr. Findling is a lawyer first and foremost. Regardless of the twists and turns of public opinion, his raison d’être appears to be grounded in upholding his legal responsibility, regardless of his personal beliefs. His fortitude and effectiveness will surely be put to the test as he navigates the waters defending Mr. Trump. But if his past is any guide, it’s clear that he is more than up to the task.
