After reviewing arguments from lawyers for Michael Cohen, Donald Trump and federal investigators, federal judge Kimba Wood in New York decided to appoint an outside party—or “special master”—to review the materials seized in the FBI raid of Cohen’s premises.
Barbara Jones was reportedly not on the list of proposed special masters for either Cohen or the U.S. attorney’s office.
The woman who will first review materials seized from President Donald Trump’s lawyer spent about 17 years as a federal judge and also worked as a prosecutor. [...]
Jones will decide what records may contain communications protected by attorney-client privilege, making them off-limits to prosecutors. Her determinations may help shape the direction of a criminal investigation that prosecutors have said is focused on Cohen’s personal business and financial dealings.
The special master will almost surely slow the process of reviewing the materials some, but Judge Wood said she had been “convinced” by Cohen’s attorneys that the process could flow quickly enough with such an appointment.