Media Mentions
2010
Abbe Lowell was quoted by the Biloxi Sun Herald on January 26, as he urged an appeals court to grant a rehearing and reversal for a former Biloxi attorney convicted on the charge of honest services fraud in a judicial bribery case. Mr. Lowell, who represents the attorney, charged that the conviction was based on improper jury instructions regarding the definition of honest services fraud. “The instructions transformed protected First Amendment contributions made to influence elected officials to follow their judgment, rather than betray it, into a crime,” Mr. Lowell declared. “That is constitutional error of the greatest magnitude, which requires the honest services convictions be reversed …”
Abbe Lowell was mentioned by Business First of Buffalo (January 15) as the “high-powered” lead attorney in legal team defending the former New York state senate majority leader against federal felony charges. The article noted that Mr. Lowell has also defended such well known individuals as governors, U.S. senators, actor Steven Segal and federal lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Abbe Lowell was quoted by the Albany Times-Union on January 15 concerning his request to overturn the felony conviction of, or grant a new trial to, a former New York state senate leader. Noting that his client was acquitted on a number of counts and that the jury could not agree on another, all involving the same matter, Mr. Lowell declared that “the government’s charge, its theory of wrongdoing, and the evidence it produced on the two convicted counts were no different than in those counts that resulted in acquittals.”
2009
Abbe Lowell was quoted by Law.com on December 11 concerning a decision by a Fifth Circuit panel of judges to vacate the bribery conviction of former Mississippi plaintiff lawyer Paul Minor, who will now be resentenced by a Mississippi federal judge. “Paul has served enough time,” said Mr. Lowell, who is one of Minor’s lawyers. “I think there’s some hope there. But it all depends on the judge.”
Abbe Lowell was mentioned in a Bloomberg.com story (November 2) about the beginning of a corruption trial for a former New York state Senate leader. Mr. Lowell is lead co-counsel for the defendant in the trial, which is being held in U.S. District Court in Albany, NY.
Abbe Lowell was quoted on August 15 by WFAA.com regarding a court’s release of bribery allegations against two former Dallas City Council members and a Texas state representative. Mr. Lowell is an attorney for a low-income housing developer implicated in the allegations. “They are not charges,” Mr. Lowell said of the allegations. “They have not been reviewed by a grand jury. And they are far from proven events.”
Abbe Lowell was quoted in a Legal Bisnow June 2 feature on the Department of Justice's dropping of all charges against two former staffers at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (one of whom Mr. Lowell represented) for violating the Espionage Act. Mr. Lowell said the prosecution was the first time the Act had been used against a non-government official for merely receiving and talking about information he learned as a foreign policy professional. Framing the defense as a First Amendment matter, Mr. Lowell believes the Bush Administration "was not courageous enough" to bring the case directly against the press, although the charges against the two staffers could have led to prosecutions against reporters.
Abbe Lowell was cited in the Dallas Morning News on May 23 for his representation of a prominent Dallas developer accused in a public corruption trial of bribing a former Dallas City Council member. The article noted that Mr. Lowell represented Steven J. Rosen, a lobbyist whose prosecution for allegedly leaking classified documents was recently dropped by the Justice Department.
Abbe Lowell was cited May 1-2 in leading newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, when the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would drop all charges of violating the Espionage Act against two former staffers at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee for allegedly passing along classified information on Iran to unauthorized individuals, including Israeli Embassy officials. Mr. Lowell served as defense counsel to Steve Rosen, one of two staffers who had faced trial in U.S. District Court. Both the Post and the Journal noted Mr. Lowell's belief that the government's action could in part be attributed to the Obama Administration, "We are extremely grateful that this new Administration . . . has taken seriously their obligation to evaluate cases on the merits."
Abbe Lowell was quoted on Timesunion.com on April 27 concerning his representation of former New York State Senator Joseph Bruno in a federal criminal trial. Mr. Lowell filed a letter with the U.S. District Court, requesting an additional three months to prepare an oversize defense memorandum challenging the government's case. "The United States has produced more than 43,000 documents, amounting to dozens of boxes worth of materials that must be reviewed," Mr. Lowell stated in his letter, adding that his client "is in the process of getting an additional 50 to 70 boxes of documents."
Abbe Lowell was mentioned in an April 19 Washington Jewish Week story for his role as defense counsel to Steve Rosen, one of two former staffers at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee who are charged with violating the World War I-era Espionage Act for allegedly passing along classified information on Iran to unauthorized individuals, including Israeli Embassy officials.
Abbe Lowell is cited in stories that appeared April 1 in the [Biloxi] SunHerald, April 2 on HuffingtonPost.com and April 3 on OpEdNews.com concerning the latest developments in the appeal of the case against Paul Minor, formerly a top trial lawyer in Mississippi who was convicted of judicial bribery. The appeal is being heard by the Fifth Circuit Court, and shortly before the latest proceedings began, Priscilla Owen, one of the three judges hearing the appeal, announced her recusal. As Minor's attorney, Mr. Lowell asked the panel to consider releasing Minor while they deliberate the appeal, a request which Minor's legal team has repeatedly argued is required by law, and which Owen had denied.
Abbe Lowell is quoted in the Albany Times-Union concerning his defense of former New York Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno against criminal charges. Bruno allegedly violated federal law by denying the public of 'honest services,' but Mr. Lowell asserts that the charges are "an unprecedented expansion of the 'honest services' theory that should trouble every part-time legislator because of its attempts to make criminal a person's need to have an outside job."
Abbe Lowell was quoted in a March 16 story by the Legal Times regarding a move made by Congress to strengthen a law restricting gifts to public officials. On March 12 the Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation to broaden the ban on the giving or receiving of illegal gratuities. The bill would also extend statues of limitation and increase potential prison time for some crimes, and appropriate $100 million over four years for corruption charges. Two D.C. cases however limited the existing gratuities ban; precedent the white-collar defense bar doesn't want erased. Mr. Lowell commented, "When courts rule that certain minimums are required to protect citizens in criminal law, Congress shouldn't then try to legislate away those protections."
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe Lowell was quoted on February 25 by the Associated Press regarding a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit that allows former AIPAC lobbyists, Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman, to use evidence from two classified government documents at their trial. The unanimous decision is a setback in the government's prosecution of Rosen and Weissman. Mr. Lowell, Rosen's lawyer, noted that the materials Rosen and Weissman want to use at trial is crucial to their defense because it shows the information the defendants are accused of disclosing "was not classified, was not national defense information and its disclosure did not violate the law." Mr. Lowell was also quoted by The Washington Post, The Jewish Daily Forward, The Jerusalem Post and The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).
Abbe Lowell was quoted on February 23 by CNN.com in an article regarding 2001 disappearance of Chandra Levy. Mr. Lowell served as Representative Gary Condit's lawyer during the investigation. Washington police officials announced they are close to making an arrest in the killing of Chandra Levy. Mr. Lowell blamed police and media attention on Condit for delays in the arrest. He said, "It is a tragedy that the police and media obsession with former Congressman Condit delayed this result for eight years, and caused needless pain and harm to the families involved." Mr. Lowell was also quoted by The Los Angeles Times, The Hill, The Salt Lake City Tribune, The San Diego Union-Tribune, and Times-News.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the February 19 issue of Newsday in an article regarding former State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who faces prosecution under the "honest-services fraud" federal statute. Bruno's lawyers, including Mr. Lowell, argue that the U.S. attorney is unjustly stretching a state ethics violation into a major felony fraud case. "It is scary. It puts into jeopardy a lot of public officials who work on the outside of their public service," he said.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the February 11 issue of the Albany Times Union in an article regarding the trial of Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, who has been indicted on allegations that he made millions of dollars through his senatorial position. Bruno's lawyers, including Mr. Lowell, noted that they would file pretrial motions challenging the indictment and a case built on federal theft of honest services statutes. "It's a controversial theory," said Mr. Lowell. He added that "we [Bruno's lawyers] will be filing motions that address three issues, (including) the impartiality for the grand jury, and the process by which the indictment occurred, more to do with whether this was a case brought in the press."
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on January 30 by The Blog of Legal Times in an article regarding the indictment of Joe Bruno, former New York state senator, on charges of public corruption. Bruno is accused of mixing together his private business and public office in business deals. Mr. Lowell, one of Bruno's lawyers in the case, said that the charges represent "an unprecedented expansion of the 'honest services' theory that should trouble every part-time legislator because of its attempts to make criminal a person's need to have an outside job. After 40 years of great public service, Sen. Bruno deserves a lot better than he received from the prosecutors."
2008
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the December 21 issue of The Washington Post in an article regarding Bernard L. Madoff's alleged multibillion-dollar fraud that has ruined personal fortunes and shrunk charitable endowments across the Washington region. "When everybody gets over the initial shock based on the amounts of money involved, the second predominant feeling is one of total uncertainty," Mr. Lowell said. "No one seems to grasp what this all means yet," he added.
Link to: Abbe Lowell, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the November 24 issue of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in an article regarding his role as program co-chair for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Georgetown Law Center's annual white-collar seminar "Defending White Collar Crimes."
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned on November 17 by The Associated Press in an article regarding the U.S. Postal Service's investigation into whether Postmaster General John E. Potter received an improper deal on a mortgage from Countrywide Financial Corporation. The U.S. Postal Service has hired Mr. Lowell to run the investigation and to review the deal which allegedly included one shaved point and waived fees for the $322,700 loan.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the November 10 issue of The National Law Journal in an article regarding the rise in calls white-collar criminal defense lawyers are receiving from nervous clients involved in the credit crisis. "Seven hundred billion dollars can't go out the door without someone going to jail,'' said Mr. Lowell, referring to the federal government's bailout of the banking and mortgage industries. "There are going to be criminal cases made as a result of this crisis. Somewhere buried in the complexities of these transactions you will find people who took advantage,'' he added.
Abbe D. Lowell, Markets Restructuring, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the November 4 issue of the Las Vegas Review-Journal in an article regarding the Justice Department's decision to clear Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons of any wrongdoing following a corruption investigation. Mr. Lowell, Gibbons' lawyer in the case, said that Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Durham confirmed that "the investigation of any allegations against Governor Gibbons had been closed. The prosecutors in the case confirmed what the governor has been saying for the past two years - that he did nothing wrong and there was no basis for any allegations against him."
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the November 3 issue of Haaretz in an article regarding the espionage trial of former AIPAC employees, Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman. Defense lawyers recently told a federal appeals court that they would argue some of the information the men allegedly conspired to reveal came from the Israeli government and was not considered secret. Mr. Lowell noted that a classified State Department document shows that Israel was already circulating the intelligence reports that Rosen is accused of disclosing. "You have to be able to prove what the Israelis knew. In our defense, it is important that this information, discussed down the line by our client, is Israel-based," said Mr. Lowell, Rosen's lawyer in the case.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the November 3 issue of The Dallas Morning News in an article regarding the corruption investigation of Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons. Mr. Lowell, Gibbons' lawyer during the investigation, noted that Gibbons has been cleared of wrongdoing and will not be charged.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the November 3 issue of the AmLaw Daily in an article regarding federal prosecutors' decision not to charge Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons with corruption. Mr. Lowell advised Gibbons against interviewing with federal authorities until he had time to look at the evidence regarding Gibbons' relationship with Warren Trepp, head of eTreppid Technologies. "I didn't invent the wheel here. There are questions you have to ask at the outset. What is the nature and the value of the gifts? What is the relationship between the donor and the receiver? And what official acts could be linked to those gifts?" he said. Mr. Lowell spent 18 months turning over evidence to federal prosecutors, including proof that the man who had first made the allegations against Gibbons had fabricated e-mails.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the November 3 issue of The Washington Post in an article regarding the 18-month federal corruption investigation of Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons. Mr. Lowell, Gibbons' lawyer in the case, said he received confirmation from U.S. Attorney Steven Durham that the investigation has ended. "The prosecutors in the case confirmed what the governor has been saying for the past two years - that he did nothing wrong and there was no basis for any allegations against him," Mr. Lowell said.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned on November 3 by The Associated Press in an article regarding the possibility that Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons may sue the person whose accusations against him led to a corruption investigation by the Justice Department. Federal authorities recently cleared Gibbons of any wrongdoing. Mr. Lowell served as Gibbons' lawyer during the investigation.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the November 2 issue of The New York Times in an article regarding the corruption investigation of Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons. Mr. Lowell, Gibbons' lawyer during the investigation, indicated that the investigation has been closed and that his client will not be charged. "Neither the governor nor I have any problem with the Justice Department having to investigate allegations, even if they are crazy, because he is a high-ranking public official and he knows the world he lives in. They handled it in a way and a speed that was up to them. Though we wish it were sooner, they came to the right conclusion," he said.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the October 15 issue of the Las Vegas Review-Journal in an article regarding Governor Jim Gibbons, who is currently the subject of a federal investigation. Gibbons, who is suspected of accepting bribes from eTreppid, a software company, noted that he would be spending the week in Washington, D.C. and would meet Mr. Lowell, his lawyer in the case.
Washington, D.C. trial lawyers Abbe Lowell and Bobby Burchfield were quoted on October 13 in the Legal Times regarding the lawyers in New York and D.C. being called to represent executives and companies involved in the economic crisis. Messrs. Lowell and Burchfield expect the white-collar work to increase as more companies are investigated. "In the past couple weeks we've got calls from a financial services industry company and a hedge fund company… This is just at the front end. There are some executives out there who know they're next on the spot," said Mr. Lowell. "The expertise is located in Washington and will be incredibly valuable to these senior executives," said Mr. Burchfield. He continued, "You need a sophisticated, wise attorney to walk you through the pros and cons of testifying to Congress, and to achieve both goals: not being indicted and not damaging your reputations. It's a difficult balance."
Bobby R. Burchfield, Abbe D. Lowell, Markets Restructuring, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the September 19 issue of Legal Bisnow in an article regarding the Shakespeare Theatre Company's "Trial of Socrates." Mr. Lowell, playing the part of Socrates' counsel, appealed his client's conviction by using a variety of rhetorical tricks. "It takes more than hearsay to convict of heresy," he said. The panel and citizenry voted to overturn Socrates' conviction.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on September 17 by Law.com in an article regarding the trial for Senator Ted Stevens, who is accused of attempting to hide more than $250,000 in home renovations and gifts from people associated with VECO, an Alaska oil services company. Stevens has publicly pushed for a speedy trial because he is up for re-election in November. While some presume that the government has the edge in speedy trials because prosecutors are at the front of criminal investigations, Mr. Lowell believes this won't be an issue in Stevens' case. "This investigation is not a surprise to the senator or his attorneys. It's been going on for a long time. They ought to be ready," he said.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on September 10 by the Associated Press in an article regarding U.S. District Judge Paul Huck's decision to reduce Jack Abramoff's sentence for the fraudulent purchase of a Florida casino boat. The judge reduced his sentence by two years because of his extensive cooperation in both the fraud case and the political corruption investigation of Washington politicians. "His cooperation has been extensive in every place it has been asked of him," said Mr. Lowell, one of Abramoff's lawyers in the case.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the September 10 issue of Huliq News in an article regarding the Shakespeare Theatre Company's "Trial of Socrates." Mr. Lowell, playing the role of Socrates' counsel, will appeal his client's 399 B.C.E. conviction on charges of corrupting Athenian youth and preaching godlessness.
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on September 5 by the Associated Press in an article regarding Jack Abramoff's sentencing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In court, Mr. Lowell, one of Abramoff's lawyers in the case, described his client as a conflicted man who corrupted politicians but also made significant contributions to charity. "How can we be talking about the same person? But that's the record: A modern-day 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,'" he said.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the September 5 issue of the Los Angeles Times in an article regarding Jack Abramoff's sentencing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Mr. Lowell, one of Abramoff's lawyers, noted the seriousness of his client's crimes but added that some had been exaggerated. "This is a case where the myth of Jack Abramoff can overtake the actual man. Jack is here to make an accounting for his actions -- those that were wrong and those that were not," he said.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on September 5 in The Blog of Legal Times in an article regarding Jack Abramoff's sentencing following his conviction on fraud and conspiracy charges. Abramoff's legal team, including Mr. Lowell, will argue for a reduction in sentence based on Abramoff's extensive cooperation with the government. "This effort far exceeds the cooperation given by any sort of typical cooperator. Indeed, it must place Mr. Abramoff near the top of all government cooperators," the team wrote in a brief last month.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the September 5 issue of The Washington Times in an article regarding Jack Abramoff's sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Abramoff was sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding clients and partners and corrupting public officials. Mr. Lowell, one of Abramoff's lawyers in the case, had hoped that his client's extensive cooperation with law enforcement officials would lead to a reduced sentence.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the September 4 issue of The Clarion-Ledger in an article regarding Paul Minor's request that the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reconsider his petition for release from prison. Mr. Lowell, Paul Minor's lawyer, noted that the district court's decision to keep Minor in prison "failed to state any reason to justify Mr. Minor's continued detention. Specifically, the district court made no finding on the record that Mr. Minor now poses any sort of danger to the public. Consequently, Mr. Minor's detention is not supported on the existing record, and a remand is warranted."
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on September 4 by Reuters in an article regarding Jack Abramoff's sentencing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Although Abramoff's sentence is significantly less than what guidelines suggest, Abramoff's lawyers, including Mr. Lowell, had hoped that his extensive cooperation with authorities on other criminal investigations would further reduce the sentence.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned on September 3 in The Blog of Legal Times in an article regarding the Shakespeare Theatre Company's "Trial of Socrates." Mr. Lowell, playing the part of Socrates' counsel, will appeal his client's convictions on charges of corrupting youth and preaching godlessness.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the September 2 issue of The AmLaw Litigation Daily in an article regarding Jack Abramoff's sentencing on tax evasion and public corruption charges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Mr. Lowell, one of Abramoff's lawyers in the case, asked the court to minimize Abramoff's sentence in light of his extensive cooperation with law enforcement officials.
Abbe D. Lowell, Christopher D. Man and Pamela J. Marple were mentioned in the August 29 issue of The Washington Times in an article regarding Jack Abramoff's sentencing for fraud and tax evasion. As Abramoff's lawyers in the case, they requested that their client receive even less prison time than the already reduced term proposed by prosecutors in light of his extensive cooperation with government officials.
Abbe D. Lowell, Christopher D. Man, Pamela J. Marple, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on August 29 by Bloomberg in an article regarding allegations that Governor Jim Gibbons accepted bribes from eTreppid, a software company that received a five-year contract from the U.S. government to develop code for "automatic target recognition." The Wall Street Journal and NBC News ran stories regarding the bribery allegations in 2006, and both cited e-mails that allegedly provided proof of misconduct. In June 2007, however, eTreppid submitted an affidavit from a computer security expert who had determined that the e-mails had been doctored. "Those are dummied-up, fake e-mails," noted Mr. Lowell, Gibbons' lawyer.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the August 29 issue of The AmLaw Daily in an article regarding Jack Abramoff's sentencing on charges of tax evasion and public corruption in a D.C. district court. Mr. Lowell and his team requested reductions in Abramoff's prison sentence based on his cooperation with law enforcement officials. "There is a pending motion [before U.S. district court judge Paul Huck] to reduce his sentence in the Florida case as well. In Florida the government filed a motion to reduce his sentence and in D.C. they filed their sentencing memo. And in Florida we filed a motion to reduce [Abramoff's] sentence, and in D.C. we filed our sentencing motion," said Mr. Lowell.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the August 28 issue of The Washington Post in an article regarding letters submitted to the court on Jack Abramoff's behalf. In an attempt to persuade the court to release Abramoff from prison early, friends, family and religious leaders wrote letters describing Abramoff as both remorseful and humble. "We appreciate the opportunity to make this submission particularly because media attention regarding Mr. Abramoff - from newspaper editorials to late-night comic monologues - has made him into a caricature and has distorted a picture of a man, who like all men, is more than the sum of his tragic mistakes," said Mr. Lowell, one of Abramoff's lawyers in the case.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on August 28 by The Associated Press in an article regarding the filing of 95 letters to the court on Jack Abramoff's behalf. Friends, family and religious leaders submitted letters describing Abramoff as humble and changed in an effort to get Abramoff out of prison early. Mr. Lowell, one of Abramoff's lawyers in the case, requested a reduced sentence that would make Abramoff eligible for release as early as 2009.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned on August 27 by the Associated Press in an article regarding the Justice Department's recommendation that Jack Abramoff's prison sentence be reduced in light of his cooperation with an FBI investigation that has led to the convictions of several others. Mr. Lowell, one of Abramoff's lawyers, also asked the court to reduce Abramoff's sentence, noting that his client has reviewed more than 500,000 documents and has spent more than 3,000 hours working with the Justice Department.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the August 27 issue of The Washington Post in an article regarding Jack Abramoff's conviction on fraud and conspiracy charges. Mr. Lowell, one of Abramoff's lawyers, has requested that the judges take into account Abramoff's cooperation with federal officials when determining how long Abramoff will stay in prison. Abramoff's lawyers noted that he has met with the FBI, has reviewed more than 500,000 documents and has helped to convict 12 others.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned on August 20 by Antiwar.com in an article regarding the espionage trial of former AIPAC employees, Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman. Mr. Lowell represents Steven Rosen in the case. The article addresses the Republican and Democratic parties' supposed need to make the case go away before the upcoming election as subpoenaing officials to reveal how Middle East policy is actually created in Washington would be unseemly during an election season dominated by themes of hope, change and the restoration of integrity.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the August 19 issue of the Sun Herald in an article regarding Paul Minor's request for release from prison to care for his terminally ill wife. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied his request on the grounds that he may endanger the public's safety if released pending appeal of his judicial bribery conviction. "Paul and his family are disappointed in the outcome and in the court's lack of explanation. Having spent almost two years incarcerated shows without any doubt that he is sober and safe. We cannot wait for the hearing on our appeal so we can have the entire case reconsidered," said Mr. Lowell, Minor's lawyer.
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the August 8 issue of The Raw Story in an article regarding a brief filed by Paul Minor that appeals a Department of Justice decision that prevents him from visiting his dying wife. Mr. Lowell, Minor's lawyer, noted that Mrs. Minor's condition is worsening. "Her cancer is spreading everywhere," he said. "Even if these prosecutors were so cold hearted and so focused on getting Paul, they should have been humane enough to agree to some release terms that would enable him to be with his very sick wife," Mr. Lowell added.
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on August 6 by WDAM-TV in a report regarding Paul Minor's appeal of his judicial bribery conviction. Mr. Lowell, Minor's lawyer in the case, noted that Minor "was improperly selected for prosecution" by a politicized Department of Justice.
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the August 6 issue of the Jackson Free Press in an article regarding a Department of Justice motion opposing Paul Minor's request for release pending appeal of his 2007 corruption conviction. Mr. Lowell, Minor's lawyer in the case, noted that Minor's wife is in the final stages of cancer. "The prosecutors have become persecutors in not even allowing a compassionate release so that Mr. Minor can be with his wife in her last days. We hope the court of appeals will see that Paul has raised substantial issues on his appeal and that there are of course conditions under which he could be released," he said.
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned on August 1 by the Associated Press in an article regarding Paul Minor's claims that he has been the target of a politicized Department of Justice that forced him into a bribery conviction. Mr. Lowell is Paul Minor's lawyer in the case.
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the July 31 issue of The Dallas Morning News in an article regarding defense attorneys' requests to access 1,200 backup tapes the FBI seized as part of a bribery investigation of Dallas city officials. Mr. Lowell represents developer Brian Potashnik, who is accused of bribing officials in exchange for contracts to build apartments in southern Dallas. Mr. Lowell noted that the defense team continues to wait for access to the tapes which could contain evidence that clears their clients. He added that the delay by prosecutors "can no longer be tolerated" and that the situation is "inexcusable given that this investigation is over three years old."
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned on July 31 by WLOX 13 in a report regarding Paul Minor's claim that his bribery conviction is the result of selective prosecution by a politicized U.S. Justice Department. Mr. Lowell is Minor's lawyer in the case.
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the July 30 issue of the Jackson Free Press in an article regarding Paul Minor's argument in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that Judge Henry Wingate showed bias against the defense in Minor's 2007 trial by changing jury instructions from his 2005 trial and ordering the removal of evidence from the 2005 trial that had stalled the jury's guilty verdict. Mr. Lowell, Minor's lawyer in the case, is confident, indicating "I know we will overturn the verdict."
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the July 17 issue of The AmLaw Litigation Daily in an article regarding U.S. v. Rahmani. Mr. Lowell, who represents defendant Roya Rahmani, led an effort to file 15 motions to dismiss the case on the grounds of selective prosecution, due process violations and First Amendment violations. "The prosecutors' attempt to charge our clients, who are accused of helping a group opposed to the current Iranian regime, through an unprecedented twisting and stretching of the laws against terrorism and other charges, has resulted in this unprecedented set of pre-trial motions," Mr. Lowell noted in a press release.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the July 16 issue of The Washington Post in an article regarding the 2001 disappearance of Chandra Levy. Mr. Lowell served as Representative Gary Condit's lawyer during the investigation.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on July 10 by the Associated Press in an article regarding Paul Minor's appeal of his judicial bribery conviction. Mr. Lowell, Minor's lawyer in the case, noted that U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate made several errors during the trial "that ultimately resulted in an unlawful conviction and sentence."
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on July 9 by WLOX 13 in a story regarding Paul Minor's appeal of his judicial bribery conviction. Mr. Lowell, Paul Minor's lawyer, is appealing Minor's bribery conviction on the grounds that U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate made errors in the trial "that ultimately resulted in an unlawful conviction and sentence."
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the July 8 issue of The AmLaw Litigation Daily in an article regarding Paul Minor's appeal of his judicial bribery conviction. Mr. Lowell, Minor's lawyer, argues in the appeal that Judge Henry Wingate gave jurors different instructions at Minor's second trial than he did at the first. Mr. Lowell also claims that Judge Wingate improperly used bribery standards when sentencing Minor to 11 years.
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the June 30 and July 1 issues of The Biloxi Sun Herald in an article regarding Paul Minor, a Biloxi lawyer who filed an appeal of his judicial bribery conviction with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Minor was acquitted of some charges during his 2005 trial, with a hung jury on others, but a conviction came after a second trial in 2007. "Much had changed from the 2005 trial that resulted in acquittals and a mistrial to the 2007 trial that resulted in a hasty conviction and a significant sentence. This appeal addresses these changes - a series of constitutional, evidentiary, legal and sentencing errors by the district court that ultimately resulted in an unlawful conviction and sentence that cannot stand," Mr. Lowell, Minor's lead defense lawyer, and members of the Firm wrote in the appeal.
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the July 29 issue of The Raw Story in an article regarding a Department of Justice motion opposing Paul Minor's appeal to visit his dying wife. Mr. Lowell, Minor's lawyer in the case, noted that it is up to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to rule on Minor's appeal bond request. He added that Minor can also "seek a compassionate furlough from the Bureau of Prisons based solely on his wife's condition."
Abbe D. Lowell, Appellate, Trial
Abbe D. Lowell authored an article in The National Law Journal entitled "Commentary: Crossing Borders." The article discusses the need for a clear understanding of when a country has implicitly or explicitly agreed that its borders are not sacrosanct in all circumstances. Mr. Lowell calls for consistent, clearly enforced standards that address the circumstances under which invading the sovereignty of another nation or crossing its borders is justified.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the June 16 issue of Legal Times in an article regarding Jack Abramoff's sentencing scheduled for September 2008 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. As Jack Abramoff's lawyer, Mr. Lowell noted that while he could face up to 11 more years in prison, his plea agreement anticipates a reduced sentence for his cooperation. "His cooperation to date and the changes he's brought to the system merit as much consideration as any case I'm aware of," Mr. Lowell said.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the June 9 issue of The Hill in an article regarding a congressional report that claims the White House inadequately investigated ties between Jack Abramoff and White House aides. The report argues that the White House provided an incomplete review of its contacts with Abramoff and did not interview several White House officials about their contacts with the lobbyist. "Much of what the congressional committees know and what the Justice Department knows result from our client’s cooperation. He continues to work hard to make amends for that of which he has pled guilty," noted Mr. Lowell, Abramoff’s lawyer in the case.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the June 2 issue of The Jerusalem Post in an article regarding the trial of former AIPAC employees, Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman. As Rosen's lawyer, Mr. Lowell publicly attacked AIPAC in May, accusing the organization of unfairly abandoning his client due to concern for its reputation. "They [the Justice Department] played for AIPAC's lawyer about a minute or less of one conversation of many, many conversations and took it out of context, and they scared AIPAC, and AIPAC took its actions," Mr. Lowell said.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the May 22 issue of the Forward in an article regarding the trial of former AIPAC employees, Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman. As Rosen’s lawyer, Mr. Lowell accused AIPAC and the American Jewish community of mistreating and abandoning his client. "They [the government] played for AIPAC’s lawyer about a minute or less of one conversation of many, many conversations and took it out of context, and they scared AIPAC, and AIPAC took its actions," he said but added that he "would have expected better out of a Jewish organization." Mr. Lowell called on the Jewish community to encourage the government to reconsider the case and to support Rosen and Weissman. "Offer them jobs, offer them support, because they deserve no less," he said.
Abbe D. Lowell was recognized in the 2008 issue of the Legal Times Almanac of Leading Lawyers. Mr. Lowell was recognized for his "ability to help a client in the hot seat" and his work for lobbyist Jack Abramoff, former Speaker of the House Jim Wright (D-Texas) and former Representative Gary Condit (D-California).
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on May 14 by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in an article regarding the classified information case brought by the government against former AIPAC employees Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman. As Rosen’s lawyer in the case, Mr. Lowell noted that, "The government put a lot of pressure on AIPAC and basically misled AIPAC on what it was that Keith and Steve did." He added, "I would like the community to rise up and, having seen all the public information, as a community start saying to the world, the Jewish world and the non-Jewish world, and the media, to the Justice Department and the attorney general: 'Reconsider. This is wrong. You made a mistake.' AIPAC and other groups that got snookered, they should admit they got snookered, and they should both embrace these men."
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the April 20 issue of The Dallas Morning News in an article regarding the indictment of former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill and thirteen others on charges of taking kickbacks from local developers. Mr. Potashnik, the owner of Southwest Housing, is accused of paying bribes to Mr. Hill. As Mr. Potashnik's lawyer, Mr. Lowell said that he is not concerned about comments from co-defendant Allen McGill, who recently plead guilty and is cooperating with government authorities. "Southwest Housing had nothing to do with McGill. He might have tried to extort them, but that was the extent of any connection," Mr. Lowell said.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted on March 22 by the Associated Press in an article regarding the espionage trial of Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman, former lobbyists of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The trial has been rescheduled eight times, and prosecutors recently revealed that they will appeal a ruling on how classified information will be introduced at trial. As Mr. Rosen's counsel, Mr. Lowell said, "It's now pretty clear that the government does not want to try this case. They filed these charges without thinking them through, and there appears to be no one in government with enough authority or courage to admit they made a mistake." Mr. Lowell was also quoted in JTA and The New York Sun on March 21.
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in the March 3 issue of the The New York Times in an article regarding the espionage charges against Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman, former senior analysts for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). As Mr. Rosen's lawyer, Mr. Lowell stated that the defense will demonstrate that for years, American policy on Israel and the Middle East has been determined by back-channel conversations between AIPAC and senior policymakers, diplomats and journalists. Mr. Lowell noted that the trial raises "strange and troubling issues, notably the decision to target AIPAC for common and proper behavior that goes on in Washington every day."
Abbe D. Lowell was recognized in the February 2008 issue of American Lawyer as one of 14 Star Laterals of the Year.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe David Lowell is mentioned in the January issue of Washingtonian magazine regarding his role as lead defender of former AIPAC staff member Steven Rosen. Regarding the classified information case, the article states, "a conviction is by no means a sure thing, due in part to an aggressive three-year fight by the defense team, led by Abbe Lowell for Rosen and by John Nassikas III for Weissman. The lawyers' no-stone-unturned litigation fills a foot-thick file of motions and rebuttals in US District Court in Alexandria."
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
2007
The Washingtonian released its fifth list of "Big Guns" in the December 2007 issue. The Washingtonian selects "Big Guns" based on peer recommendations and follow-up interviews. The following McDermott lawyers were named "Big Guns": Bobby R. Burchfield, Joel M. Freed, Abbe D. Lowell and Blake D. Rubin.
Bobby R. Burchfield, Joel M. Freed, Abbe D. Lowell, Blake D. Rubin, Intellectual Property, Tax, Trial
Abbe David Lowell was quoted in the December 22 edition of the New York Times regarding whether the C.I.A.'s withholding of videotapes documenting the interrogations of two al Qaeda operatives violated federal law. Mr. Lowell said the question of whether the agency had broken the law by omitting mention of the videotapes was "pretty complex," but said he "wouldn’t rule it out." Mr. Lowell also said that because the requests were not subpoenas issued by a court or Congress, C.I.A. officials could not be held in contempt for failing to respond fully. Apart from that, however, it is a crime to make a false statement "in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative or judicial branch," Mr. Lowell remarked.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the November 21 issue of Jewish News Weekly of Northern California in response to the federal judge in the classified information case against two former AIPAC staff members wanting to question prospective jurors about possible anti-Semitic views. "In a case like this which concerns the pro-Israel lobby, defendants who are themselves Jewish, events in the Middle East [and] the times we live in, it’s very appropriate that the judge should be sensitive and ask us to be sensitive to a jury selection device that might minimize the risks of selecting jurors with an anti-Jewish bias," Mr. Lowell said.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the November 12 issue of The Washington Post in an article regarding the trial of former AIPAC employees, Steven Rosen and Keith Weissman. If the case proceeds, Condoleezza Rice, among others, may be forced to answer questions under oath about her dealings with the defendants. "As a result of the judge's ruling, 15 high-level government officials, including the secretary of state, have to show up in an open courtroom and answer questions under oath and will not be able to hem and haw and use political double talk as if they were at a press conference," said Mr. Lowell, Steve Rosen's lawyer.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in a November 2 article published by the Associated Press regarding the subpoena of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as well as some of President Bush's top foreign policy advisors in order to testify about their conversations with pro-Israel lobbyists. Abbe commented on behalf of both defendants, who have been accused of receiving secret national security information. "For over two years, we have been explaining that our clients' conduct was lawful and completely consistent with how the U.S. government dealt with AIPAC and other foreign policy groups. We look forward to the trial," Mr. Lowell said. This story appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and other news organizations.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in an October 18 article published by The Dallas Morning News regarding the complexity surrounding the trial of Brian Potashnik. Mr. Lowell suggested that Mr. Potashnik would waive his right to a speedy trial so that his lawyers would have time to go through the evidence of more than 30,000 wiretapped phone calls as well as more than 200 boxes of documents. Because prosecutors indicted Mr. Potashnik along with his wife and father, Mr. Lowell stated that the case was both cynical and misguided.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in an October 14 article published by newsday.com regarding Robert Toussie's decision to join in the bidding at a two-day auction of surplus land at the Hyatt Regency Windwatch Hotel in Hauppauge. Mr. Lowell commented that after the two days in court following a threat of police arrest at a 2004 sale, the parties had come to a truce resulting in his ability to bid at auction. "What Mr. Toussie wanted is nondiscriminatory access and that's what's been given," Mr. Lowell said.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in a September 30 article published by the Jackson Clarion Ledger regarding Paul Minor's request to stay all or part of his sentence pending appeal and for more time to pay his fine. In regards to Mr. Minor's sentence, Mr. Lowell stated that, "To hold Mr. Minor in further detention when the other co-defendants remain free is unfair and should be reconsidered." Mr. Lowell went on to comment on Mr. Minor's fine, stating that, "a lump-sum payment of fine, plus restitution, would place serious and undue hardships on him and his family."
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in a September 16 article by The Maryland Daily Record regarding an FBI probe into the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPC) and whether or not they supplied controversial information to Israel. Mr. Lowell commented on the high profile case in which Steven J. Rosen, AIPC's foreign policy director, and Keith Weissman, an analyst, were charged with conspiracy dating as a result of the probe. "It's a very laborious, very labor-intensive, very intricate process that requires an enormous amount of work by the court," Mr. Lowell said.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in the August issue of The American Bar Association Journal in an article regarding honest service charges and the courts struggle to differentiate between clear instances of fraud from job duties that naturally involve politics. Mr. Lowell explains that federal prosecutors use the law aggressively in determining how far theft of honest services will go. "One thing about criminal cases that we always counted on is that people should be given fair notice of when their conduct does and does not violate the law. When you start using those rules so broadly, you lose any sense of notice," Mr. Lowell said.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in a July 13 article published by The Las Vegas Sun regarding Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons opening a new legal defense fund to cover various legal expenses including the recent FBI probe accusing him of taking money and gifts in exchange for helping a Reno company get defense contracts. Mr. Lowell has been hired to advise Mr. Gibbons on FBI questioning.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in a June 28 article published by The Clarion Ledger regarding the trial delay of Paul Minor due to the federal government's attempt to enhance his sentencing based on uncharged and untried conduct. Mr. Lowell was Mr. Minor's lead attorney during his first trial in 2005 where he was found not guilty and has been brought on for the sentencing portion of this case. "The government has threatened to make the sentencing hearing unwieldy by seeking a sentence based on uncharged and untried conduct - obstruction of justice, a charge not found by the jury. The government also asks the court to engage in judicial fact-findng to enhance Mr. Minor's sentence because it claims there was a staggering amount of loss and that his offense involved what it deems to be sophisticated means," Mr. Lowell said.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in a June 24 article published by US News & World Report regarding the flurry of new legal business due to the Democratic takeover in Congress. Abbe has worked for both the democratic party and defended lobbyist Jack Abramoff. "You can't substitute for knowing people," Mr. Lowell said.
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in a June 18 article published by the Washington Post regarding an informal group of Washington D.C. white-collar criminal defense attorneys. Mr. Lowell commented on the tight-knit group and on their system of referring work to others. "Obviously it is both human nature and a good thing for people to help those who help them. It's a rule of good human resources," he said.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was quoted in a June 17 article in Newsday regarding Suffolk County's spending of $1.4 million in their latest legal battle against real estate investor Robert Toussie in order to create a system to recapture old e-mails and archive the county's electronic messages. Mr. Lowell is defending Mr. Toussie's right to buy property after he claimed that his civil rights were violated. "What the county is spending here is unconscionable," said Mr. Lowell. "All my client wants to do is write a check to the county. Instead of spending millions, they could be bringing in millions."
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in a June 11 article published by Fox News regarding the federal investigation of former American Israel Public Affairs Committee employees Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman. The trial has been postponed after a judges verdict that the evidence against the defendants could not be closed to the public. When asked to comment further on the case, Mr. Lowell did not respond.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in a June 9 article published by The National Journal regarding attorneys representing corporations and political figures that are facing scrutiny from investigative entities. Mr. Lowell was recently recruited to McDermott and has been working with Nevada's Republican Governor regarding an FBI probe into allegations that he accepted favors from financial donors in exchange for helping obtain government contracts.
Abbe D. Lowell, Trial, White-Collar Criminal Defense
Abbe D. Lowell was mentioned in a May 25 article published by the Associated Press regarding his representation of a client in a recent FBI probe. Mr. Lowell was one of two lawyers working with this client in regards to requirements and controls for legal defense funds. This article appeared in the Reno Gazette Journal and the Las Vegas Sun.
