The Present and Future: In Play for the Nine Law Firms Which Cut Deals with Trump Administration

Typically, law firm leaders, many who came up as trial attorneys, learn to put the past quickly behind them. 

One who had lost a lead paint lawsuit told me, "So, that's it. There's no appeal." And they went on to other cases. Never mentioned it again in our conversations. That's-behind-me also had been the mindset of another lawyer who had won a product liability defense when I brought it up several years later. The response was "That was years ago." What counts in practicing law is today's outcome. 

But currently the past is hanging on for the nine law firms which traded off doing pro bono assignments for the Trump administration in exchange for the lifting of an Executive Order. They range from Paul, Weiss to Skadden. The leadership can't shake the controversy generated by entering into that kind of negotiation starting back last March. As recently as last month both The New York Times and Bloomberg Law covered the noise in the court of public opinion about those decisions.

The American Lawyer reports today:

"Observers suggest fallout of nine firms deals with the Trump administration could continue in 2026 ... There's still a lot unknown about firms progress on their commitments, and what pro bono work they may be doing."

The unknowns also include new business development, prevention of client churn and recruiting/retaining star talent. 

The course the narrative takes in the present and the future, yes, could be a game-changer.

This represents a new set of challenges for law firm leadership. Essentially they have to go about the business and branding as this darkness hovers over. 

Hit hardest with bad publicity have been Paul, Weiss and Skadden. 

At the former, chair Brad Karp has been targeted. The latter had been featured on influential (at least before Bari Weiss) "60 Minutes" for the high-profile resignations of associates in response to the dealmaking. More recently The New York Times took a look at former Skadden associate Thomas Sipp who had resigned for the same political reason. Abovethelaw keeps hammering. 

The old public relations trick of diverting attention from the controversy by changing the narrative isn't panning out for the nine. For example, both Paul, Weiss and Skadden feature amazing business stories of revenue and profit growth. That should be the story, right.

But the memory of their deals with the administration remains embedded in the collective unconscious. That could harden into a popular meme similar to the one attached to Latham for years after it terminated more than 400 in a single day during The Great Recession. Only recently has it shaken the slogan: Being Lathamed. 

Success is a mental game. Failure comes from being done in by the “committee” in your head.

Together, we reprogram your thinking. Then we change your story. And, unleash success.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, becoming a solopreneur and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.

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