The two attorneys, who have over 100 years of experience between them, will present the Texas House’s case to remove Paxton from office.
“I am grateful that they have accepted the call to help ... protect the rule of law and the integrity of elected offices in the state of Texas,” said Rep. Andrew Murr, who leads the House panel overseeing the trial, at a June 1 news conference.
Paxton, a third-term Republican, has been accused of multiple misdemeanors and felonies, including bribery, conspiracy and misuse of public funds. He was impeached by the House with a 121-23 vote May 27.
“This is not about punishing Mr. Paxton,” DeGuerin said. “It’s about protecting the public, protecting the citizens of Texas.”
Who are the prosecutors?
Both men have taken on various high-profile cases in Texas and beyond during their careers.
DeGuerin has defended convicted murderer Robert Durst, Waco cult leader David Koresh, former Texas member of Congress Tom DeLay and former University of Texas System Regent Wallace Hall. State lawmakers considered impeaching Hall for misconduct in 2013, but he was not removed.
DeGuerin leads the Houston-based law firm Deguerin & Dickson. The Austin native is also an adjunct professor at The University of Texas at Austin School of Law.
Hardin has represented NFL quarterback DeShaun Watson, former NBA player Scottie Pippen, disgraced accounting firm Arthur Andersen and corporations like Exxon Mobil.
Outside of Texas, Hardin served as a trial lawyer in the Whitewater investigation into Bill and Hillary Clinton in the 1990s.
He leads the law firm Rusty Hardin & Associates, which is also based in Houston.
“We bring over 100 years of experience to this task, and we bring it gladly,” DeGuerin said.
What happens next?
Paxton is suspended from office without pay until the Senate makes a final decision. Former Secretary of State John Scott will serve as interim attorney general in his place, Gov. Greg Abbott announced May 31.
In a letter to Scott, Rob Coleman, the director of the Texas Comptroller’s Fiscal Management Division, said “no salary payment may occur to Attorney General Warren Kenneth Paxton while in a suspended status.” This applies to all impeached state officials under the Texas Constitution.
During the trial, state senators will act as jurors, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick will serve as the judge. A 12-member House panel, called a board of managers, will oversee the trial.
Patrick appointed seven senators to draft the rules for the impeachment trial. They will present their recommendations to the full chamber June 20.
The trial must begin by Aug. 28, according to a resolution approved by the Senate on May 29. Patrick will set a starting date after the rules are adopted.
Paxton will be represented by lawyers and have the opportunity to bring witnesses forward, DeGuerin said.
If two-thirds of senators vote to permanently remove Paxton from office, he will not be allowed to run for re-election or hold any other state office in Texas.
“I promise you: It is 10 times worse than has been public and than you think,” Hardin said of the allegations and evidence against Paxton.
