Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alina Habba

Discover the career path of Alina Habba, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Alina Habba is an American lawyer and political advisor notable for her close association with Donald Trump. She served as a legal spokesperson for Trump from 2021 to 2025 and as a senior advisor for MAGA, Inc., Trump's super PAC. She also briefly served as the acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey beginning in March 2025, although the legality of her continued tenure was later disputed and voided by a judge, who stayed his order.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

2005: Worked in Fashion Industry

Starting in 2005, Alina Habba worked in the fashion industry in accessories production and marketing with executives at Marc Jacobs.

2010: Law Clerk

From 2010, Alina Habba was a law clerk to Eugene J. Codey Jr., then-Presiding Judge of the Civil Superior Court in Essex County, New Jersey.

September 2011: Joined Tompkins, McGuire, Wachenfeld & Barry, LLP

In September 2011, Alina Habba began private practice as an associate at Tompkins, McGuire, Wachenfeld & Barry, LLP.

February 2013: Partner at Sandelands Eyet LLP

In February 2013, Alina Habba became an equity partner and the Managing Partner of Sandelands Eyet LLP.

March 2020: Started Own Firm

In March 2020, Alina Habba left Sandelands Eyet LLP to start her own law firm, Habba, Madaio and Associates LLP.

2020: Formed Law Firm

In 2020, Alina Habba formed her law firm that is an eight-minute drive from Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey.

July 2021: Represented Siggy Flicker

In July 2021, Alina Habba represented Siggy Flicker, alleging that Facebook had disabled her account. Habba also represented Caesar DePaço, in a federal court case.

September 2021: Hired by Trump

In September 2021, Donald Trump hired Alina Habba as part of his legal team. She filed a $100 million lawsuit against The New York Times, three Times reporters, and Mary L. Trump.

October 2021: Filed Countersuit Against Zervos

In October 2021, Alina Habba filed a countersuit on behalf of Donald Trump against Summer Zervos, claiming she was trying to stifle Trump's right to free speech.

November 2021: Zervos Discontinued Lawsuit

In November 2021, Summer Zervos discontinued the lawsuit against Donald Trump, after Alina Habba filed a countersuit.

2021: Legal Spokesperson

From 2021, Alina Habba served as a legal spokesperson for President Donald Trump and a senior advisor for MAGA, Inc.

February 2022: Attempted to Prevent Trump Sworn Statement

In February 2022, Alina Habba unsuccessfully attempted to prevent Donald Trump from being required to give a sworn statement in an investigation led by Letitia James.

August 10, 2022: Trump Deposition

On August 10, 2022, New York's Attorney General Letitia James personally questioned Donald Trump in a deposition. Alina Habba was present and led the defense; Trump pleaded the Fifth Amendment over 450 times.

September 2022: Suit Dismissed

In September 2022, a suit brought by Alina Habba for Donald Trump against Hillary Clinton and others was dismissed by U.S. District Court Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks.

September 27, 2022: Second Circuit Decision

On September 27, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit agreed that Donald Trump was an employee of the United States at the time and that the District Court must consider the applicability of the Federal Tort Claims Act to Trump's comments.

2022: Legal Fees Paid to Habba's Firm

In 2022, Donald Trump's Save America political action committee paid Alina Habba's firm almost $2 million in legal fees.

December 2023: Appeals Court Upheld Ruling

In December 2023, the appeals court upheld the federal judge's ruling rejecting Donald Trump's claim of presidential immunity in the Carroll v. Trump case.

January 2024: Court of Appeals Upheld Lower Court's Decision

In January 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the lower court's decision in the case where Alina Habba represented Donald Trump against Michael Cohen.

January 16, 2024: Carroll v. Trump Trial Began

On January 16, 2024, Alina Habba served as lead attorney for the E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump trial. Judge Lewis Kaplan repeatedly reprimanded Habba during the trial.

December 2024: Counselor to the President

In December 2024, Donald Trump named Alina Habba as his Counselor to the President.

March 2025: Acting United States Attorney

In March 2025, Alina Habba began serving as the acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

March 24, 2025: Interim United States Attorney

On March 24, 2025, Donald Trump announced that Alina Habba would become interim United States attorney for the District of New Jersey.

July 22, 2025: District Court declines to retain Habba

On July 22, 2025, a panel of judges on the District Court for the District of New Jersey declined to retain Alina Habba until a nominee is named and instead appointed Desiree Leigh Grace, Habba's first assistant.

July 23, 2025: Desiree Leigh Grace posts on LinkedIn

On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Desiree Leigh Grace posted on her LinkedIn profile that she intended to assume the position the judges selected her for "in accordance with the law".

July 24, 2025: President Trump withdraws the nomination of Alina Habba

On July 24, 2025, President Trump withdrew the nomination of Alina Habba, which clears the way for her to serve in New Jersey as the U.S. attorney in an acting capacity.

August 21, 2025: Court rules Habba's appointment void

On August 21, 2025, Matthew W. Brann ruled that Alina Habba's appointment is void as of July 1, 2025, and her later purported reappointment was invalid, but stayed his order pending appeal. The judge also said that Grace thus became the U.S. attorney upon appointment by the district judges on July 22, 2025.