Where Does Michael Cohen Go From Here?

Every lawyer knows there's a point in a case when you have to let go.

In the good cases, it's when you let go at a victory party. In the bad cases, it's when you have no place else to go.

That's what happened to attorney Michael Cohen when he pleaded guilty to multiple felonies. He must have realized he wasn't going to get a presidential pardon, so he really let go.

Campaign Finance

Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and other charges, but the campaign finance plea was most startling admission. President Trump's erstwhile lawyer said he made payments to Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal to influence the election at "the direction of the candidate."

It was hardly a secret after the FBI raided Cohen's house and office, where they recovered files and audiotapes of conversations between the lawyer and the president-to-be.

Trump has denied the claim, first saying it never happened and then saying it was Cohen's doing. That's probably when the attorney-client relationship broke down.

Dropping the campaign "f" bomb may have a bigger impact on the President, but for now Cohen is going nowhere except to jail. He could also have a place at the table in other litigation, however.

"Buckle Up Buttercup"

Daniel's attorney Michael Avenatti jumped quickly on the news in the Cohen case. He spoke through the media to Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.

"Buckle Up Buttercup," he said. "You and your client completely misplayed this."

Avenatti has sued Trump to release Daniels from a confidentiality agreement. She wants to tell her story, and he wants to question the president.

Special counsel Robert Mueller also wants to talk to Trump. Cohen definitely will not be representing the president.

Related Resources:

• High Profile Lawyers Busted: Cohen Accepts Plea Deal, Manafort Found Guilty (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
• Another Prenda Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Porn Scam (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
• 'Pharma Bro' Lawyer Gets 18 Months for Aiding Scheme (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)