- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Weinstein Hires New High-Profile Defense Team Ahead of NYC Trial
Disgraced movie mogul shakes up his legal lineup as Manhattan prepares for third trial on rape charge.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Harvey Weinstein has retained a new high-profile defense team, including Jacob Kaplan, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, ahead of a March status hearing in Manhattan for his upcoming trial on a rape charge. The new lineup replaces longtime attorney Arthur Aidala, who will now focus on appeals and civil cases. The move comes as prosecutors have previously offered Weinstein a plea deal, which he rejected.
Why it matters
Weinstein's legal saga has captivated the nation, and the shakeup of his defense team signals the high stakes of his upcoming trial. The new lawyers, known for aggressive and high-profile cases, suggest Weinstein is taking an uncompromising stance as he faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
The details
The new defense team, which includes Kaplan, Agnifilo and Geragos, is taking over the day-to-day courtroom work, while Aidala will focus on appeals and civil cases. Kaplan was part of Weinstein's original defense team in 2018 and is now returning with some high-profile backup. Agnifilo and Geragos have already logged big wins in other headline-making cases, including trials involving Luigi Mangione and Sean 'Diddy' Combs.
- Weinstein is due back in a Manhattan courtroom for a status conference on March 4, after what was supposed to be a March 3 trial start got pushed back.
- Mangione's state trial is currently set to kick off on June 8, which could create scheduling friction if judges try to launch Weinstein's trial while the Mangione matter is underway.
The players
Harvey Weinstein
A disgraced movie mogul facing a rape charge in Manhattan.
Jacob Kaplan
One of Weinstein's new trial lawyers, who was part of his original defense team in 2018.
Marc Agnifilo
One of Weinstein's new trial lawyers, known for aggressive and high-profile defense work.
Teny Geragos
One of Weinstein's new trial lawyers, known for aggressive and high-profile defense work.
Arthur Aidala
Weinstein's longtime attorney who is stepping back from the day-to-day courtroom work to concentrate on appeals and civil cases.
What they’re saying
“Aidala has described the shakeup as amicable and has said he will keep pressing Weinstein's appellate claims even as the new trial team digs in.”
— Arthur Aidala, Weinstein's longtime attorney (NBC New York)
What’s next
Weinstein is due back in a Manhattan courtroom for a status conference on March 4, after what was supposed to be a March 3 trial start got pushed back. Prosecutors have warned that any full-blown trial could run for several weeks, and judges will now have to juggle Weinstein's case against the defense team's other trial commitments when they decide what the new calendar looks like.
The takeaway
Weinstein's decision to hire a new high-profile defense team signals his determination to fight the charges against him, even as he faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. The legal battle ahead is expected to be intense and closely watched, with the new defense team's reputation for aggressive tactics likely to add to the drama.
