DC Judge Appoints Lewinsky Lawyer to Defend Palfrey! Former Lawyer Banned!

(Article says that the Judge has banned former Palfrey lawyer, Blair Sibley, from appearing in her courtroom. This is kind of weird. Why would a high profile lawyer like Preston Burton be "court appointed?") :shrug:


Judge Appoints New Lawyer for Alleged Madam
Attorney's Clients Include Lewinsky, 3 Major Spies

By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 8, 2007; B02

The woman accused of being the D.C. madam has a new attorney, appointed yesterday by a federal judge.

Preston Burton, a partner in the Washington office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, will represent Deborah Jeane Palfrey against charges that she ran an illegal D.C. prostitution ring in Washington under the guise of an escort business.

Burton was named by Washingtonian magazine in 2004 as one of the capital's leading criminal defense attorneys. Palfrey joins a long list of notable clients who have turned to Burton to defend them. He represented White House intern Monica S. Lewinsky and spies such as CIA agent Aldrich H. Ames, former FBI agent Robert P. Hanssen and former Defense Intelligence Agency analyst Ana Belen Montes.

Burton takes the reins as the case's legal strategy is becoming increasingly controversial. Critics say Palfrey has mounted a media blitz and is building her defense around the intimidation of potential prosecution witnesses -- clients who fear she will name them publicly.

"I'm taking steps to get up to speed as quickly as possible," said Burton, who will appear at a hearing May 21. "The case has certainly gotten a lot of attention. But I just don't think it's appropriate to comment at this time."