The White House has defended newly appointed Press Secretary Katie Zacharia amid questions about her legal credentials and a complaint seeking an investigation into whether she improperly presented herself as authorised to practise law.
US President Donald Trump introduced Zacharia as an attorney when announcing her appointment last week. She has also publicly described herself as a lawyer.
However, questions emerged after a reporter asked on Tuesday which state’s bar examination she had passed. Zacharia, standing alongside the president, responded: “When I moved to China.”
Her professional credentials have since come under scrutiny, with reports indicating that she does not appear to be registered with the bar in any of the US states where she has lived.
White House Backs Zacharia’s Appointment
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended Zacharia, describing her as “uniquely qualified and whip smart to help inform the American people.”
Responding to questions about her background, Zacharia said in a statement that she had worked in international transactional law.
“I practised international transaction law, with all the appropriate credentials,” she said.
Her statement came as questions intensified over the distinction between holding a law degree, working in a legal role and being licensed to practise law in a particular jurisdiction.
Watchdog Files Complaint With California State Bar
On Wednesday, the watchdog group Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint with the California State Bar, requesting an investigation into Zacharia’s public representations about her legal qualifications.
The complaint alleges that she “repeatedly held herself out to the public as entitled to practice law without a licence to do so”, conduct that the organisation says California law treats as a crime.
The filing seeks an examination of whether Zacharia’s statements violated applicable professional and legal requirements. The complaint itself does not establish that she committed an offence, and any determination would depend on the findings of the relevant authorities.
Questions Over Law Degree and Bar Examination
According to The Wall Street Journal, Zacharia, 42, graduated from Pepperdine University’s law school in 2011 but did not pass California’s bar examination.
She told The New York Times that the university’s president had advised her that she could describe herself as a lawyer, but not as an attorney.
In the United States, graduating from law school does not, by itself, authorise someone to practise law. The requirements for admission to the legal profession vary by jurisdiction, and practising law generally requires the appropriate licence or authorisation.
A person with direct knowledge of the matter told The New York Times that Zacharia took the bar examination around the time she was planning her wedding and preparing to move to China with her future husband.
Trump bars CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House in latest media clash
Zacharia’s Work in China
Zacharia’s professional background has also drawn attention because of her move to China.
According to the report, only Chinese citizens can obtain licences to practise law in China, while foreign employees may work at law firms in other professional capacities.
Working in an international legal environment does not necessarily mean that someone is licensed to practise law in the United States. The questions surrounding Zacharia therefore centre on her qualifications, the nature of her previous work and how she represented her professional status.
Investigation Could Clarify Her Professional Status
The complaint filed by Campaign for Accountability places Zacharia’s credentials under formal scrutiny, although the outcome of any investigation remains uncertain.
The White House has continued to defend her appointment, while Zacharia maintains that she worked in international transactional law with the appropriate credentials.
The central issue is whether her qualifications and professional experience authorised her to describe herself in the way she did under the relevant state laws.
Any findings by the California State Bar could help clarify the matter as questions continue over the legal credentials of Trump’s new press secretary.
