The chairman of a major law firm, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Garrison & Wharton, revealed that he made a deal with the Trump administration to prevent the firm from shutting down. Brad Karp, the firm’s chairman, explained in an email to colleagues that the executive order issued by the White House could have destroyed the firm by threatening its security clearances and federal contracts.
Why Did Trump Target the Law Firm?
The executive order accused the firm of supporting legal work that Trump disagreed with, particularly because one of its former attorneys, Mark Pomerantz, had been involved in an investigation into Trump’s finances. The order put the firm’s government-related business at risk, warning that clients who continued to work with Paul Weiss could lose their federal contracts.
What Was the Deal?
To avoid a legal battle and potential closure, Paul Weiss negotiated with the Trump administration and agreed to:
- Provide $40 million in free legal services for Trump’s initiatives, including efforts to fight antisemitism.
- Stop using Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in hiring.
- Accept clients regardless of political affiliation.
After this agreement, Trump withdrew the executive order.
Backlash and Concerns
Many in the legal community criticized Paul Weiss, arguing that the firm gave in to political pressure instead of defending itself. Some believed the firm should have challenged the executive order in court, similar to what another law firm, Perkins Coie, had done.
In his email, Karp defended the decision, saying that:
- The firm did consider legal action, but even if they won in court, clients would still see them as unwelcome under the Trump administration.
- Other law firms did not support them; instead, some took advantage of the situation to steal their clients and attorneys.
- The firm had to act quickly to avoid financial collapse.
Other Organizations Also Compromising
Paul Weiss is not the only institution making deals with the Trump administration.
- Columbia University recently agreed to change its Middle East Studies program and tighten protest rules to maintain its federal funding.
- Meta (Facebook) and ABC made settlement payments to Trump’s future presidential library to resolve lawsuits.
- Several tech and financial companies have rolled back their DEI programs to align with Trump’s policies.
Despite criticism, Karp emphasized that the firm did what it had to do for its survival and the well-being of its employees.
