Drew Findling, nicknamed ‘the Billion Dollar Lawyer’ by the late rapper Young Dolph, is stirring intrigue within legal circles, thanks to his penchant for representing high-profile figures in Atlanta, affectionately referred to as ‘Hip Hop Hollywood’. Known to represent various sports stars, comedians, reality show stars and a multitude of big-name rappers such as Gucci Mane and Big Meech; the veteran lawyer is now preparing arguably his most formidable defense, representing former President Donald Trump.
With a career that began as a public defender, Findling founded his law firm in 1987 and has since represented an entire rolodex of notable figures over the years. However, Trump, notorious for ignoring legal advice and seeking constant delays, means Findling has his work cut out for him.
The controversy surrounding the man he’s defending is another element to juggle. Findling, a self-confessed liberal, has previously criticized Trump and supported Fani Willis, the Fulton County District attorney who indicted Trump and 18 associates over their alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
His association with the Hip Hop world has sharpened his understanding of how free speech is misconceived as evidence of criminal intent. Findling’s past clients lavishly laud him as the “the biggest lawyer in the game” and a “Robin Hood with Jesus swag”, indicative of his credibility within the rap community. Yet the defense for Trump requires arguing presidential actions were merely aspirational, not criminal, a marked departure from his usual round of cases focused on the intention behind rap lyrics.
This highlights the lawyer’s versatility, who has demonstrated an extraordinary knack for understanding the cultural nuances that may render his clients more vulnerable to prosecution due to their racial backgrounds. His defense of the erroneously accused Central Park Five underpins this sensitivity, where he vilified Trump’s refusal to retract his endorsement for the death penalty despite the overturned verdicts; branding it a racially prejudiced act.
Alongside Trump, Findling currently represents rapper Rashawn Bennett, known as YFN Lucci, in tandem with the potential free speech defense for the former president’s charges. The defense is expected to hinge heavily on this concept of free speech, providing a glimpse into why Trump chose a lawyer seasoned in contentious cases reliant on this defense.
Findling, however, makes it clear that his clientele selection isn’t influenced by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, political belief or the substance of the crime itself. Motivated by the defense of his clients rather than aligning them with his personal politics, Findling has remained steadfast, unapologetic for his political opinions while staunchly navigating the stormy waters of each case he undertakes.
In choosing to defend a former president he’s criticized, Findling likens his decision to that of John Adams, the second US president who defended British soldiers against murder charges from the Boston Massacre, defying strong anti-British sentiments. Findling, not alien to contentious cases within the world of hip-hop, is plunged into a whole new arena of controversy, defending a figure whose political actions he’s personally condemned.
With Trump seeking to postpone the Georgia case until 2026, the anticipatory pressure climbs for Findling. As the world watches high-profile lawyer Drew Findling prepare his defense, the ‘Billion Dollar Lawyer’ is certainly presented with a billion-dollar challenge.
