Trump is not 'dictating' legal work in Paul Weiss deal, chairman says [View all]
Source: Reuters
March 23, 2025 6:08 PM EDT Updated an hour ago
March 23 (Reuters) - Paul Weiss Chairman Brad Karp said in a letter to its lawyers and staff on Sunday that the Trump administration would not be "dictating" what free legal work the powerful Wall Street law firm would provide under a deal it struck with the White House last week.
The firm faced intense criticism from some lawyers in part for pledging the equivalent of $40 million in pro bono legal services to support "mutually agreed" administration projects such as combating antisemitism and supporting veterans.
Republican U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday agreed to withdraw an executive order that restricted Paul Weiss lawyers' access to government buildings and officials and threatened government contracts held by the firm's clients. As part of the deal, Karp agreed that his firm would renounce partisanship in hiring and choosing clients, and would audit its employment practices to ensure they are based only on merit.
"The executive order could easily have destroyed our firm," Karp said in Sunday's letter, which was viewed by Reuters. "The Administration is not dictating what matters we take on, approving our matters, or anything like that," he said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-is-not-dictating-legal-work-paul-weiss-deal-chairman-says-2025-03-23/
Nope. You threw a partner under the bus and offered up $40 million in tribute. Sounds like the firm is about to go through some things.
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