Lil Durk hires Diddy and Young Thug’s lawyer for murder-for-hire trial
Lil Durk has hired renowned lawyer Brian Steel for his upcoming murder-for-hire trial.
The Chicago rapper’s trial is scheduled to begin on August 20th, 2026, and he’s added a powerful name to his legal team.
According to XXL, Durk filed a motion in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, requesting a substitution of attorneys.
The rapper wants to replace Jonathan M Brayman with Steel, pending the judge signing off on the motion.
Steel has become a familiar name in hip-hop in recent years, representing Young Thug during his YSL RICO trial and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in his sex trafficking case.
Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR even named a song after Steel on their collaborative album, Some Sexy Songs 4 U. Drizzy raps, “Shout Brian Steel, take off the cuffs, we leavin’ now,” referencing him helping Thug be released from jail.
Douglas Weinstein, who represented Thug’s co-defendant, Yak Gotti, was full of praise for Steel’s abilities as a lawyer after joining Combs.
“Brian is a legend, especially after YSL,” he said. “His insights, tenacity and character will be a phenomenal addition to Mr Combs’ team. I saw it in person during the YSL trial. I wish I could be a fly on the wall with whatever happens. He’s a legend in Georgia.”
He continued, “I think his humanity, coupled with his integrity, is necessary in the Combs case. He is a genuine person. If you spend any degree of time with him, you know it’s totally real.”
Durk is accused of conspiring with others to murder Quando Rondo, resulting in the death of his cousin, Lul Pab. He pleaded not guilty and faces up to life in prison if convicted.
The rapper is facing one count of conspiracy and one count of use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, one count of using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun, and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death.