What does New York real estate litigator Marc Kasowitz have in common with his client, Donald Trump? Neither has a firm grasp of limits. Of knowledge, competence or ethics. But unlike Trump, who enjoys certain protections by dint of his office, Kasowitz is fair game for anyone with a gripe.

It started innocuously enough, Kasowitz chatting up the nice folks walking the White House halls.

In recent days, Mr. Kasowitz has advised White House aides to discuss the inquiry into Russia’s interference in last year’s election as little as possible, two people involved said. He told aides gathered in one meeting who had asked whether it was time to hire private lawyers that it was not yet necessary, according to another person with direct knowledge.

This may seem like a fair enough question to ask the lawyer the president hired, and he answered it. No charge. Everybody loves free legal advice. And how could Kaz not be right? After all, he must be the best lawyer ever or our billionaire prez would never have hired him, right?

Marc E. Kasowitz, a New York civil litigator who represented President Trump for 15 years in business and boasts of being called the toughest lawyer on Wall Street, has suddenly become the field marshal for a White House under siege.

It certainly looks like Trump trusts him, and he’s probably an exceptional civil litigator*. Except this isn’t civil litigation. Just as running a country isn’t the same as running a hotel, defending a president from obstruction charges and impeachment isn’t tussling over closing dates.

So what was so wrong about the advice to White House aides that it wasn’t yet time to lawyer up? It’s fairly obvious to lawyers: Kaz represents a client whose interests are in potential, if not likely, conflict with those of the unrepresented individuals to whom he’s saying, “nah, you don’t need a lawyer, Buhwawawa.”

What he should have done, and what would have been obvious had he been moderately experienced in such matters, was to give Upjohn warnings, also known as “corporate Miranda,” that he’s not their lawyer and anything they say can be disclosed, as its unprivileged. Kaz should have informed (not advised) the aides that he cannot advise them and they must seek independent counsel, unburdened by the facial conflict of interest, for an answer to their question.

Unsurprisingly, two ethics complaints have been filed against Kasowitz, one in D.C. and the other in New York’s First Judicial Department, where he’s admitted to practice law. They’re over-drafted showpieces, based on nothing more than a newspaper’s report, alleging violations of Rule of Professional Conduct 4.3 (communications with unrepresented people) and 4.2(a) (communication with person represented by counsel). Sexy stuff.

Still, had the complaints been one paragraph based on claims made by space aliens, there’s a good chance the nuisance complaints would evoke a departmental disciplinary committee’s demand for a response. Failure to respond is itself a basis for discipline.

But these aren’t the sort of complaints that lead to disbarment. At worst, Kaz will get a public admonition to never do it again. It’s not like he raided an infant’s trust so he could buy blow and prostitutes, which might bring more serious sanctions. If he responds with nothing more than, “Oops, sorry,” he’ll survive. Then again, if he tries to rationalize what he did. there’s a chance he could get a more serious spanking because of arrogance than error.

Error, however, is the point. This was just basic ignorance and inexperience, on Kasowitz’ part. He may have Trump’s trust, but he doesn’t have the background to be a good choice for the job. No matter how much he’s been paid, or how much Trump loves him, or how great a civil litigator he may be, when it comes to managing a criminal investigation against his client and dealing with the emanations and penumbras on the battlefield, the bluster that makes him a big macher in real estate law means nothing in crim law.

The moral of the story? Never bring a knife to a gun fight. Especially a dull knife. Kaz may be the coolest real estate litigator ever, but pretty much any lawyer vaguely familiar with white-collar defense would have known better than to make such a stupid mistake.

*For the unwary, this is a slur coming from a criminal defense lawyer.