Young Thug's Lawyer Brian Steel Is Joining Diddy's Defense Team

Steel represented Thugger throughout the lengthy YSL RICO trial.

April 15, 2025

Split image: Young Thug with blond dreads and glasses, next to Diddy in sunglasses and a red jacket.

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images; ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Young Thug’s lawyer is joining Diddy’s criminal defense team.

According to a new filing shared by legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff on Tuesday, attorney Brian Steel filed a motion requesting to appear as counsel for Diddy.

The news comes a day after the 55-year-old music mogul pleaded not guilty to racketeering and sex trafficking charges at a hearing before U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan, according to Reuters.

He also pleaded not guilty to an earlier three-count indictment in March.

Jury selections for Diddy’s trial are scheduled for May 5 with opening statements set to begin on May 12.

As explained by Vibe’s Regina Cho, Steel is a renowned criminal defense attorney with over 30 years of experience. He built a reputation defending high-profile clients, including judges, FBI agents, and athletes, along with those who can’t afford legal representation. Steel's work on the lengthy YSL RICO trial earned him recognition as one of Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers of 2023.