A former public defender is representing Trump aide in documents case. What to know

Donald Trump’s co-defendant Walt Nauta finally has local counsel, which allowed him to enter a plea in the classified documents case.

READ MORE: On third try, Trump aide arraigned in Miami. He pleads not guilty in documents case

Nauta, a Navy veteran who served as a Trump aide in the White House and now works for him as his personal valet, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Miami federal court to a charge of conspiring with the former president to obstruct the U.S. government’s efforts to retrieve classified documents.

He was joined by his Washington, D.C., defense attorney Stanley Woodward and Sasha Dadan, a Fort Pierce attorney.

Here’s what to know about Dadan, Nauta’s local counsel.

Work experience

Public defender: Sasha Dadan, 34, got her start as a public defender for the 19th Judicial Circuit, which includes Martin, St. Lucie Okeechobee and Indian River counties, according to her firm’s website.

Private pratice: As an assistant public defender, Dadan represented more than 3,000 clients in both adult and juvenile felony and misdemeanor cases. She now has her own practice, Dadan Law Firm, and handles criminal and family law matters.

Political ambitions?

Candidate: In 2018, Dadan unsuccessfully ran for the Florida House District 83 seat as a Republican.

Background: Dadan, the daughter of a Cuban mother and Argentine father, drew on her legal background while running, telling TCPalm that she “spent [her] life advocating for people without a voice” and would “continue standing up for the underdogs in our community if elected.”

What she said when she announced her candidacy: “The Constitution of the United States of America is the foundation of our nation. It is the fabric from which our Florida Constitution and our laws are drawn and I am committed to working to preserve, protect, and defend our constitutions and maintaining the rule of law.” ... “It is imperative that we force government to live within its means and pursue the continuation of Governor [Rick] Scott’s economic policies that are benefiting economic growth in our state.”

Qualifications and education

College: Dadan earned her AA degree at Palm Beach State College, and her bachelor’s in public communications with a minior in sociology from Florida Atlantic University.

Law school: Dadan graduated from Florida A&M University College of Law in 2013. She was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2014.

Legal work: Aside from handling state cases, Dadan can represent defendants in federal cases in two district courts: the Middle District of Florida and the Southern District of Florida, where Nauta’s case is being heard.