In a chilling twist of American legal history, the same high-powered attorneys who fiercely defended Richard Nixon’s aides during the Watergate cover-up trials later stepped in to shield Jeffrey Epstein as he built and protected his underage sex-trafficking empire.T

The intricate web of high-profile legal representation reveals striking overlaps between two of America’s most infamous scandals: Watergate and Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking empire. While no single attorney directly defended both Richard Nixon and Epstein, key figures from Epstein’s “dream team” navigated circles intertwined with Nixon-era power brokers, highlighting how elite lawyers often shield controversial clients across decades.

Epstein’s 2008 defense included prominent attorneys like Alan Dershowitz, Kenneth Starr, and Roy Black. Dershowitz, a Harvard professor, helped negotiate Epstein’s controversial non-prosecution agreement, allowing a lenient plea deal despite allegations involving dozens of underage girls. Starr, the independent counsel who investigated Bill Clinton (leading to his impeachment), joined Epstein’s team later, defending the plea deal’s legitimacy. Black, a Miami-based powerhouse, contributed to securing Epstein’s minimal sentence.

These connections echo Nixon’s era indirectly. Roy Cohn, Nixon’s ruthless advisor during the McCarthy hearings and later an informal counselor, mentored Donald Trump and operated in overlapping elite networks. Cohn’s influence extended to figures like Starr through political lineages. Dershowitz, while not defending Nixon, commented on Watergate trials, once expressing unease about Nixon aides being tried in a diverse D.C. jury pool.

Critics argue such legal talent—often drawn from the same Ivy League and political spheres—prioritizes powerful clients over accountability. Epstein’s lenient 2008 deal, criticized as a “national disgrace,” allowed him continued access to victims until his 2019 arrest. Victims’ advocates contend these attorneys enabled systemic protection for the elite.

As unsealed Epstein files reveal more associations with influential figures, questions persist: Do recurring legal defenders reflect a closed system safeguarding privilege? From Watergate’s cover-ups to Epstein’s empire, the pattern underscores how justice can bend for those with the right representation, leaving victims in the shadows.