Ed. note: Welcome to our daily feature, Quote of the Day.
It’s not at all surprising that no law firm wants to speak publicly about what is going on. We were already seeing the pendulum swing away from law firm leaders commenting on social issues, and that trend is now accelerating. The potential threat of retaliation to a firm’s business and reputation is unprecedented. Law firm leaders must immediately assess all their risks, then figure out how to communicate about these issues internally and externally, defend their firm, and still reinforce what they stand for – all without putting a target on their back.
— Cari Brunelle, co-founder of legal industry advisory firm Baretz + Brunelle, in comments given to the American Lawyer, on why law firm leaders are laying low in the wake of President Donald Trump targeting Perkins Coie specifically and Biglaw firms generally (i.e., “leading law firms”) over their DEI policies via executive order. Brunelle’s colleague, Mike McNamara, who serves as B + B’s CEO, shared similar sentiments. “Law firm leaders need to carefully reassess their risk on every level, especially risks previously minimized, and prepare an action plan and communications strategy to prevent becoming the next target—and a plan for when they do,” he said.”
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
