Trump retains private lawyer Marc Kasowitz in Russia probe

May 24 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump has retained attorney and longtime friend Marc Kasowitz to represent him in the special counsel investigation into Russia's alleged meddling in the election, two White House officials said.

Kasowitz, a partner in the New York legal firm of Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman, has known Trump for decades and represented him in numerous cases, including those involving his divorce records, real estate transactions and allegations of fraud at Trump University, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Trump advisers privately urged the president to retain personal legal counsel in the Russia probe. The office of the president is represented by the White House counsel, but the administration's legal team does not defend the president on matters specific to the office holder.

Kasowitz will join a team of private attorneys representing Trump in investigations into his 2016 presidential campaign and suspected interference by Russia. A special counsel, former FBI director Robert Mueller, was appointed last week to investigate Russian cyberattacks against Democrats in the 2016 election and possible collusion by the Trump campaign, something the president has denied.

The hiring of Kasowitz comes as Senate Intelligence Committee testimony by James Comey, the former FBI director fired by Trump, is expected some time after Memorial Day. Comey will likely be asked to explain the circumstances surrounding his dismissal, which created a political firestorm for the White House.

The appointment of a new FBI director could be complicated by Kasowitz's retention by Trump, as well. Former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, regarded as a leading contender for the FBI job, is employed at Kasowitz's law firm. Appointment of an FBI director with close ties to the president's private attorney could raise conflict-of-interest questions, The Wall Street Journal said Wednesday.