Lowell sent a letter Thursday to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi accusing the Trump administration of targeting NY's attorney general for "retribution"

A Winston & Strawn spokesperson declined to comment on whether Lowell's departure had anything to do with the representation of James, who faces a criminal referral from a Trump administration official.

NY State Attorney General Letitia James has hired defense attorney Abbe Lowell to represent her amid mortgage fraud allegations regarding her Brooklyn and Virginia properties – allegations that were referred to the Justice Department for criminal review.