Trevor Potter never imagined he’d be giving a client legal advice in front of a television audience of millions. But in taking on Comedy Central funnyman Stephen Colbert, the former Federal Election Commission chairman has found himself doing just that. Potter, who leads the political-activity law practice at Washington’s Caplin & Drysdale, is representing Colbert in the comedian’s quest to form a “super PAC.” Potter said he first met Colbert when the show’s producers asked him to explain how political action committees work to Colbert and his staff. After Potter appeared on the show, he said he got a call from Colbert asking if he would serve as his personal lawyer as he pursued the creation of his own PAC. Colbert filed a request with the FEC on May 13. Potter said Colbert is an “enthusiastic” client, but added that it can be strange counseling Colbert in private and then discussing the same legal issues on the show with Colbert’s notoriously bombastic on-screen persona. “I’m not used to clients with multiple personalities, or at least not ones who admit they have multiple personalities,” he said. — Zoe Tillman
FOREIGN BRIBERY CASE DRAWS A BIG CROWD
Former U.S. Justice Department prosecutor Paul Pelletier, a senior lawyer in the fraud section who had a lead role in the case against Texas financier R. Allen Stanford, made his first court appearance last week as a new member of the white-collar defense bar. Earlier this month, Pelletier joined Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo as partner.
