Abbe Lowell: Winston’s White Collar Co-Chair Discusses Career Defending High-Profile Clients

On June 22, Washington, D.C./New York Partner Abbe Lowell was featured on Law.com’s “Legal Speak” podcast in an interview with The Litigation Daily Editor-in-Chief Jenna Greene. He begins by discussing what inspired him to become a lawyer. Active in the civil rights and anti-war movements in his youth, Abbe “wanted to interact with government,” so going to work for the Department of Justice was a realization of that passion. His nearly five years at the DOJ included a variety of roles—policy and line attorney jobs, assistant to the Attorney General of United States, and special assistant U.S. attorney, which gave him trial skills—that became the building blocks of his practice today.

Abbe reflects on being chief counsel to Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee during the impeachment hearings of President Bill Clinton; representing successful, powerful clients such as Senator Bob Menendez, former Senator John Edwards, and Senior Advisor to President Trump, Jared Kushner; dealing with intense media interest in his cases; his courtroom style (“probing, pointed, and passionate”–not “aggressive”); the pros and cons of working at a big firm (“it depends on what kind of white collar practice you have”); and what prompted his decision to join Winston & Strawn in May.

While the opportunity to work with longtime friend and Winston Co-Executive Chairman Jeffrey Kessler was the “decisive factor” in joining the firm, Abbe explained that he “needed a firm that was known for litigation but still had a need for the kind of litigation that I do.” Also critical was Winston’s “nimble decision-making process,” significant international reach, and reduced likelihood of conflicts. 

Outside of his regular practice, Abbe focuses on his passions: classical theater, teaching, and writing. A member of the Board of Trustees for the Shakespeare Theatre Company, he recently defended Hamlet (“one of my more interesting and psychologically complex clients, I have to say”) in a trial presided over by Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. In addition, Abbe teaches at two law schools. He concludes: “All of us do things outside the four corners of our desk and office. I’ve always had this view that time is elastic. I think you can stretch the walls of time to do what’s important.”

Listen to the podcast.