Set to go to trial in June for a number of sex crimes and facing life in prison if convicted, Harvey Weinstein has been “desperately” trying to add a female attorney to his team of lawyers.
But, the media mogul wants to do it at a discounted rate.
That strategy blew up in his face when Pamela Mackey – who succeeded in defending Kobe Bryant against a rape accusation – dropped out of Weinstein’s “dream team” following a disagreement over her fee.
Since then, Weinstein has been scrambling to hire a female lawyer to “soften his image,” according to The New York Post.
“People around Harvey are saying he’s desperately trying to hire a ‘skirt’—their term—for the team as he feels it will soften his image,” an insider told the publication.
A Weinstein spokesman said three female lawyers are already representing the disgraced film producer, but he wants to add more ladies to his legal team.
Since he “does not want to pay premium fees,” Weinstein has been telling potential candidates representing him will be a career boost.
“His arguments to women lawyers are like the ones he used on young actresses who felt underpaid: It will be good for your career to be on my team for the notoriety and fame,” according to The Post.
Top female lawyers Isabelle Kirshner and Susan Necheles have both already turned down the disgraced film producer.
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