Big Law - The New Version of the Old-Time Urban Political Machine?

 The New York Times Magazine profiles large elite law firm Jones Day as the master power force in the judiciary and statehouses. In that article by David Enrich it describes how during the Trump Administration, Jones Day helped orchestrate putting more than 100 conservative judges in federal court positions. 

That reach, projects the article, is bound to grow. Just think about the probable results of the midterms and Election 2024.

What the article doesn't pay enough attention to had been the input of Jones Day in the 2016 election. But we did. The Washington Post had broken the story of how Jones Day partner Don McGahn parachuted in to assist Make America Great Again with campaign legalities. At the time, many in law firms - which tend to be liberal - were stunned. However, that kind of intervention paved the way for Jones Day's influence in conservative politics.

The article also points out that on the progressive side, law firms such as Paul Weiss also leverage their legal skills, power, influence, and wealth for liberal causes. 

For those of us growing up in the 1950s urban-area polical machines what seems to be evolving is this: The large law firm, with its huge resources, has become a version of those city political power structures. They were nothing to fool around with. In fact, the signature phrase in the Frank Hague controlled machine in Jersey City, New Jersey had been: You can't fight city hall. 

Your cousin from Italy needed a job? You went to the parish priest who had a close contact in citty hall. The snow on your street probably wouldn't be removed if your neighborhood voted wrong. Do your part during the campaign and grandma probably will be admitted into an okay nursing home.

It was all so oppressive. I made it my business to do well enough in school to get a scholarship to an out-of-state college. That was in Pennsyvlania. During those undergraduate days I became involved in local and stat PA politics. To me that seemed more of a level playing field than the politics I had grown up with. Later, my volunteer work landed me a research position with a senator from PA.

The takeaway from The New York Times Magazine article could well be this: Beware what those big-time lawyers may be up to. Eventually you may not be able to fight this latest play-out of what could be the 21st century mutation of the city political machine.

Clients for my intuitive career coaching are increasingly aware not to work in such-and-such a state because of the hardened politics. They are convinced they can't make a difference and change things.

Your just-right professional fit. You can bypass the usual pain points. That includes Tarot readings, both spreads and one-card pulls. Complimentary consultation for coaching, job-search materials, and interviewing. Please contact janegenova374@gmail.com or text 203-468-8579.