Lawyer Michael Avenatti no longer represents porn star Stormy Daniels, the pair announced Tuesday.
Avenatti said his law firm had parted ways with the porn star “for various reasons” last month.
“On February 19, we informed Stormy Daniels in writing that we were terminating our legal representation of her for various reasons that we cannot disclose publicly due to the attorney-client privilege,” Avenatti said in a statement. “This was not a decision we made lightly and it came only after lengthy discussion, thought and deliberation, as well as consultation with other professionals. We wish Stormy all the best.”
Daniels said she has retained Clark Brewster to serve as her primary counsel.
I have retained Clark Brewster as my personal lawyer and have asked him and his firm to review all legal matters involving me. Upon completion of Mr. Brewster’s review and further consultation with me, I anticipate Mr. Brewster will serve as my primary counsel on all legal issues
— Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) March 12, 2019
The two rose to national prominence in the last year after Avenatti sued President Trump on Daniels’ behalf to invalidate a $130,000 nondisclosure agreement she signed with then-candidate Trump before the 2016 election to stay quiet about an alleged tryst they had more than a decade ago.
Avenatti and Daniels hit a rough patch in November when she said she was considering whether to fire the lawyer.
Daniels told the Daily Beast that Avenatti sued Trump for defamation against her wishes. He also set up an online fundraising effort to cover her legal fees without her consent, she said.
“Michael has not treated me with the respect and deference an attorney should show to a client,” she said.
Days later, their partnership was on the mend.
Avenatti has continued to tweet support in recent weeks, despite the parting of ways.
