Large law firms must stand against Trump's threats

By Steven Brill / Bloomberg Opinion

Big law firms that have offended President Trump for representing a cause or client he doesn’t like are being forced to make a choice: Either cut a deal with him to protect their billion-dollar businesses, or sue him to assert their right to continue representing clients as they please.

It was extremely disappointing when Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison — a hugely successful firm that has been heralded for its commitment to causes and clients potentially adverse to Trump’s agenda — bent the knee to the president. Paul Weiss, as it’s known, agreed to a number of Trump’s dictates, including a pledge to represent clients of all political affiliations; have its hiring decisions audited for Trump-disfavored diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and donate tens of millions in pro bono services to the president’s pet causes.

While I’ve been highly critical of law firms since founding The American Lawyer magazine nearly half a century ago, I’ve stuck to the belief that these were partnerships of professionals committed to uphold the principles of their profession, and who believed that running a business well did not have to compromise those principles. Now that belief is being tested.

This is not a partisan issue or a pro-MAGA or anti-MAGA issue. Rather, it has to do with abuses of executive power that undermine democracy. Will the next Democratic president feel empowered to issue executive orders to cripple firms that represent Trump or that have adopted his causes?

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-large-law-firms-must-stand-against-trumps-threats/