Shaffer Comments on Trump University’s Pending Trial

Law360’s article “Unbiased Jurors Will Be Tough To Find As Trump U. Cases Progress” examines how Donald Trump’s criticism of U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, in response to his unsealing of a number of real estate sales booklets used at the former Trump University, will affect an upcoming trial brought by former Trump University customers, who claim they were defrauded by Trump. A high-profile trial involving a potential Presidential nominee, especially during elections, will make it difficult to facilitate a fair trial and allow forward progress in the case. The situation recalls the outcome of William Jefferson Clinton v. Paula Corbin Jones, a 1997 case before the U.S. Supreme Court involving then-President Bill Clinton. The Supreme Court found that a president does not enjoy immunity for allegations involving unofficial conduct. So, regardless of the outcome of November’s election, Trump would not be able to use his political status to interfere with the trial. Olshan attorney Scott Shaffer clarifies “If a sitting president doesn’t have the ability to stay a trial, a president-elect won’t.”