I dunno what to make of this... stuff.
He's a private citizen with access to banks of corporate lawyers through his organization. Having trouble finding lawyers seems a stretch.
I have zero doubt this is true. I know personally partners at Firms that have turned down work with him (2020 election work specifically) for a variety of reasons. Obviously, one of them is that they are concerned about the reaction among other clients, the public, etc.. But a lot of firms are willing to do it anyway if it is otherwise good representation -- sharp client, reliable, pays well and on time, etc.. After all, they represent tobacco companies and all sorts of entities that aren't exactly beloved by the public.
The problem is that Trump's reputation is just crap when it comes to those other factors as well. Fights on bills, won't take advice, pushes his lawyers to take ethically questionable positions, etc.. Best evidence I can give is that he had that absolute sleazeball Michael Cohen as his primary lawyer for more than a decade. Really? He couldn't find anyone better than
that guy?
But that's exactly the kind of lawyer Trump wants -- a guy willing to skirt the edges (or beyond) of the law, to take a hit if necessary to protect his boss, and is loyal beyond all else. Basically, the exact same type of lawyers the mob employs. The Tom Hagen lawyer/consigliere to Trump's godfather likely has a lot of appeal to a New Yorker like Trump. Maybe not the best and brightest, but loyal and willing to do anything for the client.
Those lawyers aren't the kind of guys you need for a case like this. You want really smart, really experienced white collar lawyers who are respected and know how to navigate this kind of stuff. $800+/hour guys. And those kind of guys generally don't need or want a client like Trump. They've got good, clean very successful practices going, and are very well respected. So why go work for a guy who likely won't take your advice anyway, will try to get you in trouble, and then probably refuse to pay the agree-upon rate if you refuse to do unethical crap?
On a partnership vote as to whether to take this guy as a client, I'd vote "no". Just not worth it from a business perspective. I'd have said the same thing even before the 2020 election, and I'm someone who voted for him in that election. He's just a terrible, terrible client who literally has bragged about how he shortchanges people he hires.
This is a problem entirely of his own making. The really good lawyers don't want to be seen as the next Michael Cohen.