In a high-stakes hearing set to take place in Atlanta on Thursday, criminal defense attorney Ashleigh Merchant aims to challenge the alleged conflict of interest surrounding Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Merchant, known for her tenacious approach and marathon-running abilities, has filed a motion on behalf of her client, GOP political operative Mike Roman, demanding the dismissal of charges against him and other co-defendants, including former President Donald Trump.

The case in question involves a 41-count indictment accusing Trump and 18 others of plotting to overturn his electoral loss in Georgia during the 2020 election. Leading the investigation, District Attorney Fani Willis has been under fire since Merchant filed a bombshell motion on January 8, alleging an improper and clandestine relationship between Willis and Wade.

Merchant, recently elected as the president of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, argued that Willis should be disqualified from the case due to her appointment of Wade as a special prosecutor. Merchant claimed that Wade, an attorney with the Wade & Campbell Firm, had used a significant portion of the $654,000 in legal fees paid by the Fulton County DA's Office for his work on the Trump case to fund luxurious vacations with Willis to various destinations.

While Willis admitted to a relationship with Wade, she dismissed it as mere gossip and insisted that it should not derail the racketeering case against Trump and the other defendants. However, the upcoming hearing will delve into whether their relationship poses a conflict of interest, potentially leading to the dismissal of charges.

Merchant's proactive defense strategy includes investigating all aspects of the case, including looking into the divorce filing of Wade's estranged wife, Joycelyn. It was during this investigation that Merchant discovered information that suggested financial benefits for Willis and Wade resulting from Wade's appointment as special prosecutor.

Merchant's dedication to her clients is well-known, and her friends and colleagues have praised her aggressive nature and thoroughness in her legal approach. Dwight Thomas, a prominent criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta, described Merchant as a "pit bull" and expressed confidence in her ability to handle the high-pressure hearing.

Vernon Jones, a former Democratic state representative turned Trump supporter, called Merchant the "best-kept secret" in the case against Trump, emphasizing her explosive legal and political skills. Jones stated that other co-defendants are closely following Merchant's legal strategy.

In addition to the hearing, Willis faces further scrutiny as Republican lawmakers in Georgia are pushing for employees from the District Attorney's office to testify against her in a Senate fact-finding investigation. She is also under investigation by Georgia's Prosecuting Attorneys' Qualifications Commission and has been subpoenaed by US Representative Jim Jordan for documents related to allegations of firing a whistleblower and misusing federal funds.

Ashleigh Merchant runs a law firm in Marietta, Georgia, alongside her husband, John Merchant III. The couple met during their time at the University of Florida Law School and have two daughters.

As the hearing approaches, all eyes are on Ashleigh Merchant, who aims to challenge the alleged conflict of interest that could have significant implications for the case against Donald Trump and his co-defendants.