Well ain’t this some shit. Faced with an Executive Order — described by the right as designed to bankrupt the firm — Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp kissed the ring of Donald Trump.
As noted by Anna Bower of Lawfare, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Karp “acknowledged the wrongdoing” of former partner Mark Pomeratz as part of his offering. For the record, the “wrongdoing” was joining Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in the successful prosecution of Donald Trump.
Karp also agreed to eliminate all DEI programs at the firm within 14 days, provide $40 million in pro bono services to Trump initiatives, and to abandon partisan decision making in its representations (whatever that means).
This is all taken from Trump’s post so the usual grains of salt might apply, but this is one of Trump’s “not-ALL-CAPS” posts, which usually mean they’ve been vetted and written by someone else.
As a result of this servile positioning, Trump rescinded the executive order targeting the firm.
This bodes absolutely terribly for the industry. It’s an admission from one of the biggest and most powerful law firms in the nation that fighting a likely unconstitutional Executive Order in court just isn’t worth it. The harm that the Trump administration can bring is too great, and the court system is unable to counter the blatant lawlessness the far right is engaged in.
Faced with calls to stand up to the Trump administration and defend the rule of law, Paul Weiss blinked. And law and order is worse off for it.
Paul Weiss attorneys and other employees, how do you feel about the firm’s decision? Feel free to sound off by email, by text message (646-820-8477), or by tweet (@ATLblog). An insightful response — we’ll keep you anonymous — could find its way into an update to this story.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].
