Inside Sean 'Diddy' Combs' $800M Legal Fight: The Superstar's Defence Team Revealed

With a jaw-dropping 150 years of combined courtroom experience, the star-studded legal line-up includes lawyers who’ve represented notorious figures like alleged UnitedHealthcare , disgraced pharma exec Martin Shkreli, and even rapper Young Thug.

"In looking at the team, especially on the first day of jury selection, it seems like they've got people who are experts in their own kind of general areas," ABC News Legal Contributor Brian Buckmire explained. "I think the team that Diddy has put together are some heavy hitters in their own rights, and they're working together as such."

Combs, who famously coined the phrase “Bad Boy for Life,” was hit with charges last year including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and prostitution. Prosecutors allege he used violence and coercion to secure sexual acts, protect his empire, and maintain his reputation as one of hip-hop’s most powerful forces. A conviction could mean spending the rest of his life in prison.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

He has pleaded not guilty, denied all allegations, and even turned down a plea deal last week. His legal team is expected to argue that any sexual activity was entirely consensual,

Armed with an estimated £800 million fortune, the 54-year-old is sparing no expense to defend himself. Here's a look at the legal heavyweights he’s relying on to keep him out of jail.

Marc Agnifilo

Leading the defence is seasoned attorney Marc Agnifilo, known for taking on tough cases. He’s previously defended NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere, “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli and former Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng.

Raniere was ultimately convicted for orchestrating a secret sex cult where women were branded with his initials and blackmailed, and sentenced to 120 years. Shkreli got seven years for securities fraud, while Ng was jailed for 10 years for his role in a $1.66 billion bribery scheme.

Agnifilo, who’s also served as both a state and federal prosecutor, has tried over 200 cases during his three-decade career. He's also part of a legal power couple—his wife, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, is a former Manhattan DA prosecutor who once investigated the Trump Organization. Most recently, she’s represented Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Teny Geragos

Another key member of the team is Teny Geragos, a founding partner of New York firm Agnifilo Intrater. Like Agnifilo, she also represented both Raniere and Shkreli.

Geragos graduated from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles in 2016 and is the daughter of high-profile defence attorney Mark Geragos, who has represented the likes of Hunter Biden, Chris Brown and Michael Jackson.

While Mark isn’t directly involved in Combs’ case, his appearance during jury selection raised eyebrows. Prosecutors requested the judge remind him about court rules after he discussed the case on his podcast—rules that prohibit public comments which could jeopardise a fair trial.

Outside of Combs’ case, Mark Geragos is also battling for the release of infamous brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez, more than 35 years after they were convicted of murdering their parents.

Alexandra Shapiro

Bringing top-tier appellate experience to the table is Alexandra Shapiro. She’s got more than 30 years under her belt, having once served as deputy chief of appeals for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, and advised the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel.

Shapiro is currently working on Sam Bankman-Fried’s appeal following his criminal conviction and has multiple wins at the U.S. Supreme Court. She also clerked for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg—a unique coincidence, as the judge overseeing Combs’ trial also once clerked for Ginsburg, though at a different time.

Brian Steel

Joining the defence in recent weeks is Atlanta attorney Brian Steel, who made headlines for his work representing rapper Young Thug.

Young Thug’s trial was the longest in Georgia history and saw the rapper plead guilty to multiple charges but avoid a major prison term. Steel was even jailed during the trial after refusing to reveal how he learned of a private meeting between prosecutors, a witness, and the judge. That contempt ruling was eventually overturned.

With such a formidable team and his billion-dollar war chest, Combs is going all-in on the fight of his life—and the will be watching closely.