'Not a safe option': Top law firm that capitulated to Trump faces crisis

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison has become a lightning rod for criticism across the legal world, as its decision to strike a deal with the Trump administration triggered a wave of high‑profile departures and fueled concerns that elite law firms are caving to political pressure, Politico reported Sunday.

“It could have destroyed our firm,” chairman Brad Karp told Politico, referencing their battle with the administration.

The law firm ultimately negotiated directly with the White House to lift an executive order that would have revoked security clearances, barred access to federal buildings, and jeopardized government contracts.

Since then, at least 10 partners — many aligned with litigation practices and Democratic causes — have resigned, per the Politico report. Four of those departed to form a new firm representing tech giants such as Meta and Google , while another lateraled to a firm that fought the White House in court.

READ MORE: Another Trump family member suggests a run for the presidency — but it's not the one you think

The deal, which included pledges to abandon DEI initiatives and provide $40 million in pro bono work supporting administration priorities, has been widely condemned as a betrayal of principle.

Elizabeth Grossman, former Paul Weiss associate and executive director of Common Cause Illinois, told Politico: “They made a calculated decision…They were thinking about their bottom line… I think what we’ve seen is that they made the wrong decision."

Throughout Big Law, the deal has been interpreted as a signal that some firms are willing to compromise their ethical standards for self‑preservation.

Paul Weiss, once celebrated for representing clients in high‑impact cases — including challenges to Trump administration policies — now stands accused of surrendering to political coercion.

READ MORE: 'A rotting fish': Critics say new version of Trump's big bill will 'make America 1850 again'

This means that many law students are no longer interested in working for the firm. As top attorneys continue to depart, Paul Weiss now confronts a deeper challenge: rebuilding its appeal among aspiring lawyers.

“Paul, Weiss used to be the gold standard for litigation,” Bryson Malcolm, founder of legal recruiting firm Mosaic Search Partners, told Politico; adding: “I think that reputation is waning.”

“I don’t really see a situation where a student would choose Paul, Weiss over any of its peers that didn’t have a similar fallout. Even if you’re just thinking pragmatically and you’re not really tied to the morality of it all, it’s just very clear Paul, Weiss is not a safe option compared to the others," Malcolm said.