Star lawyer David Kenner, renowned for his representation of famous hip hop artists like Snoop Dogg and Suge Knight, is now facing severe criticism and allegations of professional misconduct. New attorneys for Fugees rapper Pras Michel have filed a motion for a new trial, accusing Kenner of multiple major mistakes during the conviction of their client.
One of the most shocking claims made by the new defense team is that Kenner utilized an “experimental” artificial intelligence (AI) program to aid in drafting his closing argument for the trial. However, they assert that the program failed to perform adequately. Even more concerning, the defense discovered that Kenner had a financial interest in the AI program and had provided a quote endorsing its effectiveness. This revelation raises questions about the attorney’s impartiality and the integrity of his legal strategies.
Pras Michel was convicted in the spring on multiple counts, including orchestrating an unregistered, back-channel campaign aimed at persuading the Trump administration to drop an inquiry into a Malaysian businessman, Jho Low, who was accused of perpetrating a massive fraud scheme. Michel was also accused of involvement in improper political contributions and lying to the Federal Election Commission. His new legal team asserts that due to Kenner’s alleged inadequate representation, their client never stood a chance during the trial.
In addition to the AI debacle, the defense lawyers claim that Kenner displayed a lack of familiarity with crucial elements of the law. They state that just two weeks before the trial, a member of Kenner’s trial team was so concerned about his level of preparation and understanding of the case that they asked a law school classmate, a trial attorney in Miami, to fly to Los Angeles to assist. Shockingly, this attorney was taken aback when Kenner asked for an explanation of the money laundering statute.
The new attorneys also allege that when they requested access to discovery materials, Kenner instructed them to contact an e-discovery vendor directly for certain items. However, the company declined, citing unpaid bills for work performed at Kenner’s request. These allegations contribute to the overall image of poor judgment and unprofessional conduct portrayed by Kenner’s new legal team.
When reached for comment by The Daily Beast, Kenner declined to provide a statement. This further adds to the perception of his reluctance to address the accusations against him.
This is not the first time Kenner has found himself in trouble. Earlier this year, prosecutors accused him of violating a court-imposed protective order by sharing discovery materials with Bloomberg. The outlet subsequently published articles on Michel’s case, including a photo that displayed a grand jury exhibit sticker matching the copies provided to the defense team in discovery. Prosecutors argued that Kenner, who had been reminded of the protective order numerous times, was attempting to introduce bias into the jury pool by selectively leaking advantageous information.
With the motion for a new trial filed against Kenner and the mounting allegations of professional misconduct, his reputation as a star lawyer is under significant scrutiny. The outcome of this case will determine the lasting impact on his career and legal legacy.