The Worm Has Turned on Law Firms that Capitulated
The good are rewarded; the not-so-good suffer consequences
Oh schadenfreude joy! Karma has come to a law firm that was on the wrong side of history, and oh boy, has it come hard and fast! Yesterday was a signature day for rewarding the good, and penalizing the not-so good: a court decision, and a major departure from the first firm to capitulate.
There is so much more at stake for these law firms, beyond themselves. Four could see that - that they were fighting for their industry, the legal system, and democracy. Nine others (so far) looked inwardly, with self-interest and short-sightedness, and made craven decisions that will undoubtedly come back to haunt them, as we are seeing unfold.
Paul Weiss Departures
The first firm to capitulate to Trump in March, setting the standard for how to gutlessly roll over without even putting up a fight, was Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. It was such a bad look! Trump publicly humiliated the firm, announcing his version of the deal they reached on Truth Social, which was different than the understanding that Paul Weiss had of their deal; but hey, roll with dog, get fleas. Y’all deserved it!
Paul Weiss set the standard for how to be on the wrong side of history. To be too fearful to fight for the legal system — and honestly, who wants to be represented by such cowards, if they can’t even defend themselves! Shortly after this capitulation, several other big, successful, white shoe law firms (we’ll name them too, hang tight) also threw the white flag of retreat before their battle even started! It was an astonishing show of spinelessness and subterfuge of their own industry!