President Donald Trump made headlines last year when a New York jury convicted him on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Yet in a move that may leave Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg blindsided, the president has assembled a new legal team to appeal his case. 

Attorney says Trump's case "sets a dangerous precedent"

According to the Washington Examiner, that appeal was filed on Tuesday by lawyers from the high-dollar law firm Sullivan and Cromwell.

Trump's new legal team is made up of five attorneys and will be headed by Robert Giuffra, who serves as co-chairman at Sullivan and Cromwell.

"President Donald J. Trump’s appeal is important for the rule of law, New York’s reputation as a global business, financial and legal center, as well as for the presidency and all public officials," Giuffra was quoted as saying in a statement to Fox News.

"The misuse of the criminal law by the Manhattan DA to target President Trump sets a dangerous precedent, and we look forward to the case being dismissed on appeal," Giuffra added.

Jonathan Turley suggests that case could go to the Supreme Court

Jonathan Turley is a professor at George Washington University Law School, and he suggested that while Trump is unlikely to gain an immediate victory, his case may end up before America's highest judicial body.

"The appeal of Trump’s criminal conviction has finally begun with the filing of the notice of appeal today," Turley wrote in a social media post on Wednesday.

The appeal of Trump's criminal conviction has finally begun with the filing of the notice of appeal today. While expectations are not particularly high for relief in the NY court system, this process moves the case closer to an appeal to the Supreme Court. https://t.co/o4ZJdNvHlz

— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) January 29, 2025

"While expectations are not particularly high for relief in the NY court system, this process moves the case closer to an appeal to the Supreme Court," he added.

Trump given unconditional discharge after election

The Examiner noted that while Trump failed to get the jury's verdict set aside, he was able to delay his sentencing until after last year's presidential election.

Judge Juan Merchan ultimately gave Trump an unconditional discharge, meaning that the president would face no penalty despite his conviction still standing.

"After careful analysis, this court determined that the only lawful sentence that permits entry of judgment of conviction is an unconditional discharge," Fox News quoted him as saying on January 10.