Clinton Retains Top Defense Attorney : Litigation: The President engages Robert S. Bennett, known for his high-profile work. Action comes in anticipation of a sexual harassment lawsuit.

President Clinton, facing the likelihood of a sexual harassment lawsuit in addition to his Whitewater problems, has engaged one of the nation’s premier defense lawyers in white-collar cases to help coordinate his legal and public relations strategy.

White House officials said that Robert S. Bennett initially will concentrate on preparing Clinton’s defense in the sexual harassment suit, expected to be filed Thursday in Little Rock by Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state employee who now lives in California.

But Bennett--who has represented such high-profile clients as Caspar W. Weinberger, Clark Clifford and Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.)--also will take on the broader role of helping to direct the White House approach to impending congressional hearings on the Whitewater controversy.

Bennett will work with Clinton’s other outside attorney, David E. Kendall. Kendall is considered a superb technical lawyer, while Bennett is seen as one of Washington’s savviest political and public relations players. Kendall’s skills would be taxed by a sexual harassment suit against the President, which could involve lurid testimony of other indiscretions and the possible use of state employees to further the governor’s alleged amorous adventures.

Bennett represented the Senate Ethics Committee in its investigation of the so-called Keating Five senators who were accused of using their offices to aid savings and loan owner Charles H. Keating Jr. after he had given them political contributions.

Keating later was convicted of fraud in connection with the failure of Lincoln Savings & Loan. Bennett is the brother of William J. Bennett, former education secretary and former head of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Jones claims that in May, 1991, then-Gov. Clinton directed an Arkansas state trooper to take her to a Little Rock hotel room, where Clinton touched and propositioned her. She said that she rebuffed Clinton’s advances and left the room after 15 minutes. The White House says her account is “just not true.”

Jones’ lawyer, Daniel M. Traylor of Little Rock, said Tuesday that he plans to file a civil suit in federal court on behalf of Jones, accusing Clinton of sexual harassment, civil rights violations and defamation of character. Jones worked for the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission.

A senior White House official said Monday that Bennett would only be retained if Jones files her suit as threatened. But on Tuesday, officials said that Bennett is joining Clinton’s legal team and will have a broad portfolio.

Officials said that Bennett will help prepare the Clintons and top White House aides for congressional hearings on the Whitewater real estate project and Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan, a failed thrift owned by the Clintons’ partner in the Whitewater development in the Ozarks.

Whitewater and Madison Guaranty are also under investigation by special counsel Robert B. Fiske Jr., who is trying to determine whether Madison funds were used to keep the faltering real estate project alive or to underwrite Clinton’s Arkansas political campaigns.

Legal questions arising from Clinton’s conduct as President will be handled by White House Counsel Lloyd N. Cutler.

Times staff writer Ronald J. Ostrow contributed to this story.