Trump Attorney Alina Habba Sanctioned by Obama-Appointed Judge in New Jersey Legal Fiasco
Obama Judge Sanctions Trump Attorney Alina Habba in NJ Case

In a significant legal setback for Donald Trump's defence team, a federal judge has delivered a stinging rebuke to the former president's attorney, Alina Habba. The ruling, handed down in New Jersey, found that Habba's law firm illegally served legal documents in the ongoing high-profile defamation case brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll.

The controversy centres on a 2022 lawsuit where Carroll accuses Trump of defaming her by denying her allegation of rape in the 1990s. The case has been a legal minefield for Trump's team, with this latest ruling adding to their challenges.

A Judicial Reprimand

US District Judge Esther Salas, who was appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama, did not mince words in her decision. She determined that Habba Habba Madaio & Associates LLP failed to follow proper legal procedures when serving court documents to Carroll's legal team.

The judge's ruling stated that the firm's actions constituted "illegal service of process," a serious procedural violation in legal proceedings. As a consequence, Judge Salas has imposed sanctions on Habba's firm, though the specific nature of these penalties remains under judicial consideration.

The Service Controversy

According to court documents, the improper service occurred when Habba's firm attempted to deliver legal papers directly to Carroll's lead attorney, Roberta Kaplan, at her New York law office. The judge found this method violated federal rules that typically require service through electronic means or via a third-party process server in such cases.

This procedural misstep has given Carroll's legal team grounds to seek dismissal of Trump's counterclaims in the defamation suit. The ruling represents another complication in what has already been a complex and bitterly fought legal battle.

Political Undertones

The case has taken on political dimensions, particularly with Judge Salas's appointment by Obama being noted in proceedings. Trump and his allies have frequently criticised what they perceive as "Obama judges" in legal battles involving the former president.

This ruling comes as Trump faces multiple legal challenges across different jurisdictions. The defamation case with Carroll has been particularly contentious, with previous proceedings already resulting in a $5 million judgment against Trump for sexual abuse and defamation.

The court has scheduled further proceedings to determine the specific sanctions against Habba's firm and to address how this ruling affects the broader defamation case moving forward.