Trump names Alina Habba as counselor to president 

President-elect Trump named Alina Habba, one of his personal attorneys and fiercest media surrogates, as counselor to the president on Sunday. 

Habba represents Trump in some of his highest profile civil cases and is perhaps most well-known for her frequent television appearances vociferously defending her client. She also served as a senior advisor on Trump’s campaign. 

“Alina has been a tireless advocate for Justice, a fierce Defender of the Rule of Law, and an invaluable Advisor to my Campaign and Transition Team,” Trump said in a statement. “She has been unwavering in her loyalty, and unmatched in her resolve - standing with me through numerous ‘trials,’ battles, and countless days in Court.” 

Habba, a first-generation American who runs an eponymous law firm, first entered Trump’s orbit when she took over a defamation lawsuit brought against Trump by former “Apprentice” contestant Summer Zervos, who later dropped the case. 

The fashion-merchandiser-turned-attorney went on to represent the former president at his sprawling civil fraud trial brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), which ended in a multi-hundred-million-dollar judgment. 

Habba also serves as Trump’s attorney in defamation and sexual assault lawsuits brought by advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, who won nearly $100 million at two jury trials.  

Trump is currently appealing all those judgments. 

Habba has also represented Trump in other civil lawsuits, including one he filed against 2016 presidential rival Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee and dozens of other defendants that led a federal judge to sanction Trump and Habba nearly $1 million for a "continuing pattern of misuse of the courts."

Outside the courtroom, Habba has become a prominent face defending Trump through numerous cable news and media appearances. 

She regularly rails against not only the civil cases but also Trump’s criminal prosecutions, where Habba was not formally Trump’s attorney but sometimes attended the proceedings. 

“Few understand the Weaponization of the ‘Injustice’ System better than Alina, who has fought relentlessly against the full force of Lawfare with courage and an unshakable commitment to Justice,” Trump said in his statement. 

Habba ultimately became Trump’s legal spokesperson and senior advisor to his campaign, increasingly entering the political fray as she spoke at the Republican National Convention and campaign rallies this fall.

“Honor of my life to serve the 45th and 47th President and the American people,” Habba wrote on X. 

Updated at 8:39 pm ET.