Diddy Looking To Beef Up Legal Team By Hiring Young Thug’s Lawyer
As his high-stakes trial looms, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is reportedly attempting to strengthen his legal team by bringing in Brian Steel – the lawyer widely praised for his handling of rapper Young Thug’s YSL RICO case.
Court documents filed on Tuesday, April 15, confirm that Steel has requested permission to join Diddy’s defense team. The Bad Boy Records founder faces a series of serious allegations, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for prostitution. Jury selection for the case is scheduled to begin on May 5, with opening arguments expected a week later on May 12.
Steel, who helped secure a favorable plea deal for Young Thug, has garnered a reputation for navigating complex criminal cases. His potential addition is seen as a strategic move to bolster Diddy’s defense.
In addition to Steel, reports suggest that Diddy is also exploring the possibility of hiring a Black female attorney – an effort his current legal team claims goes beyond optics. According to sources close to the case, the move is part of a broader strategy to underscore arguments that the music executive is being unfairly targeted by prosecutors because of his success and race.
Diddy’s legal team currently includes Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, both seasoned attorneys but not considered high-profile names in celebrity defense circles.
Before Steel’s involvement, Diddy reportedly reached out to Joe Tacopina – the lawyer who successfully defended A$AP Rocky in his 2023 shooting case. Tacopina, however, declined to take on the case, citing his longstanding relationship with Jay-Z and Roc Nation, whom he currently represents.
“I was asked to look at the case,” Tacopina said in a recent interview. “That’s another case I said I was not interested in. I represent Roc Nation. Jay-Z, Jay Brown, Desiree Perez – they’re like family to me.”
He also downplayed the notion that Jay-Z and Diddy share a close personal bond, despite their public appearances together over the years.
As the trial date approaches, all eyes remain on who will ultimately stand beside Diddy in court—and whether this high-powered legal shift can influence the outcome of one of the entertainment industry’s most closely watched legal battles.
