Who was David B Rivkin Jr? Donald Trump mourns ‘Superstar’ attorney’s death

Calling Rivkin a “superstar,” Trump praised him as “a great lawyer, scholar, and defender of mine.”

US President-elect Donald Trump announced the passing of prominent attorney David B Rivkin Jr on Truth Social. Calling Rivkin a “superstar,” Trump praised him as “a great lawyer, scholar, and defender of mine.” Expressing his condolences to Rivkin’s wife, Diana, and family, Trump noted that Rivkin’s loss will be “greatly missed.”
Who was David B Rivkin Jr?
David B. Rivkin Jr. was a highly regarded lawyer and legal scholar with an impressive career spanning constitutional, administrative, and international law. As a partner at BakerHostetler LLP, he co-led the firm’s appellate and major motions group, where he handled numerous high-profile cases.
Rivkin gained national prominence in 2012 as the lead attorney representing 26 states challenging the legality of the Affordable Care Act before the US Supreme Court. His work in this case marked a critical milestone in his career.

Internationally, Rivkin represented Croatia at the International Criminal Tribunal and the International Court of Justice, focusing on international humanitarian law and wartime regulations. His expertise extended to national security matters, where he defended former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and worked on cases involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, sanctions compliance, and environmental law.
Between 2004 and 2007, Rivkin served as an expert member of the United Nations Subcommission on Human Rights, offering insights on international law and global human rights efforts.
Roles in government
Rivkin played a significant role in regulatory reform during the George HW Bush administration. As Special Assistant for Domestic Policy, he led initiatives to reduce regulations in energy and environmental sectors, including the formulation of Order 636, which modernized natural gas pipeline regulations.
His government service included key roles at the Department of Energy, where he tackled climate change policies and clean energy programs. Rivkin also served as Legal Advisor to Vice President George HW Bush’s Counsel and held positions in the White House Counsel’s Office and the Department of Justice.