The Devil’s Lawyer: Alan Dershowitz’s Faustian Bargain

Alan Dershowitz’s recent profile in the Atlantic has shed new light on his high-profile friendship with Larry David, which imploded over a public argument. This incident is only the latest chapter in a career marked by controversy and scandal.

Dershowitz’s résumé reads like a Who’s Who of infamous figures: he has represented Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, OJ Simpson, and Harvey Weinstein at various points in his career. His involvement with these clients raises questions about his own character and judgment. By defending such high-profile felons, Dershowitz appears to have prioritized professional gain over moral principle.

The collapse of his friendship with Larry David is a symptom of this broader problem. David’s public rebuke of Dershowitz was not just a personal slight but also a pointed critique of Dershowitz’s actions as Trump’s lawyer during the president’s first impeachment trial in 2020. Dershowitz later confirmed David’s account, including his own hurt feelings over being called “disgusting,” which underscores the depth of their disagreement.

Dershowitz’s career trajectory offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing professional advancement over personal integrity. His willingness to defend clients with dubious moral credentials raises questions about his own character and judgment. In an era where celebrity culture often trumps genuine achievement, Dershowitz has managed to cultivate a reputation as a high-stakes attorney while also courting controversy and scandal at every turn.

Dershowitz’s involvement with Trump, Epstein, Simpson, and Weinstein is not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger pattern. His willingness to defend such high-profile felons raises serious questions about the state of our justice system. If attorneys are willing to compromise their values in pursuit of professional success, what does this say about the law? Does it suggest that the law is merely a tool for personal advancement, rather than a means of upholding the rule of law?

Larry David’s comment that Dershowitz “made a deal with the devil” is both apt and prophetic. It suggests that Dershowitz has compromised his own values in pursuit of professional success, and that this Faustian bargain will ultimately prove costly.

The aftermath of Dershowitz’s career is already evident: he is now widely ostracized for his actions, and his reputation is in tatters. His decision to switch parties from Democratic to Republican raises questions about his motivations and values. The US supreme court’s rejection of his defamation lawsuit against CNN only highlights the degree to which Dershowitz is willing to pursue vindictive and self-serving goals.

As the controversy surrounding Dershowitz continues, one thing is clear: his reputation hangs precariously in the balance, a testament to the enduring power of shame and scandal to shape our public discourse.