Alina Habba’s confrontational approach in court during E. Jean Carroll’s $10 million defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump has drawn criticism from legal experts. The incident, which occurred on a Tuesday, saw Habba clashing with Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan, to the surprise of many observers.
Attorney Bradley Moss commented on the situation, suggesting that Habba’s actions were more about performing for her client than effectively handling the case. This observation came after reports emerged of Habba’s contentious interactions with Judge Kaplan in a New York City courtroom, even before the jury selection process had begun.
One of the key points of contention was Habba’s request for an adjournment to allow Trump to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral on Thursday. This request was firmly denied by an exasperated Kaplan. According to Inner City Press, Habba persisted even after Kaplan stated, “In my courtroom when the ruling is made, that’s the end.” She argued the uniqueness of her client’s situation, but Kaplan remained unmoved, noting that Trump was not required to be present in court and dismissing her repeated requests.
Bradley Moss reflected on Habba’s courtroom behavior, advising law students against emulating the conduct of Trump’s lawyers. He emphasized that showing disdain for the judge and the court does not benefit a legal case.
MSNBC legal analyst Norm Eisen also weighed in, offering a more direct assessment of Judge Kaplan’s reaction to Habba’s courtroom tactics. Eisen observed that Kaplan was showing no tolerance for the behavior of Trump and his legal team in the Carroll case.