Former first son failed to settle legal bills ‘despite repeated requests for payment,’ law firm Winston & Strawn says
The law firm that represented Hunter Biden in federal investigations filed a lawsuit against him on Monday, saying that former president Joe Biden’s son owes its attorneys “substantially in excess of $50,000 in fees and interest.”
“This is breach of contract action against Mr. Biden for unpaid legal fees,” Winston & Strawn LLP wrote in its complaint, the New York Post reported. “Despite repeated requests for payment, Mr. Biden has failed to pay the amounts he owes.”
“Although a portion of those fees have been paid,” the complaint reads, “Mr. Biden presently owes [Winston & Strawn] substantially in excess of $50,000 in fees and interest that are due and payable.”
Winston & Strawn represented Hunter Biden in both the Delaware gun case and the California tax evasion case. The former first son was convicted of three felonies for illegally purchasing a firearm while using drugs and later pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges for failing to pay more than $1.4 million in federal taxes from 2016 to 2019. Joe Biden pardoned his son in December, just weeks before leaving office.
This isn’t the first time that Hunter Biden, who has a long history of alcohol and drug addictions, has struggled to finance his legal defense.
In January 2024, Hollywood entertainment lawyer Kevin Morris testified to Congress that he had been paying “various attorneys” on behalf of the then-first son. By last May—just weeks before Biden’s gun trial—Morris reportedly told associates he was “completely tapped out” from footing the bill for millions in legal expenses for years.
According to the Monday lawsuit, Winston & Strawn “devoted substantial resources to defend” Biden and “incurred substantial financial damages” due to his “breach of the Engagement Contract.”
“Mr. Biden never objected to any of W&S’s invoices for the legal services rendered to him,” the lawsuit says.
An initial hearing for the case is scheduled for September 19, according to the Post.