Law Firm Investigation Practices - WilmerHale Better Do This One Right

"WilmerHale’s investigation into Sam Altman’s ouster at OpenAI has dual aims—help the company restore credibility and assist the law firm in moving beyond a congressional hearing debacle where it coached two university presidents." - Bloomberg Law,  December 20, 2023

Way back in 2016, law firm Paul Weiss parachuted in to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct at Fox. Since then, organizations in trouble have found it almost necessary to hire a prominent law firm to look into things and do a comprehensive report. Otherwise the broad range of constituencies aren't satisfied. Consequently, that kind of work has evolved into a lucrative and high-profile practice for large law firms. 

For WilmerHale it has to be a lot more. Criticism of how it seemed to guide the testimony of the two university presidents related to campus antisemitism is sticky. One already got the boot. The other seems to be on thin ice. 

However, the OpenAI investigation could in itself cause more grief for WilmerHale. After all, Altman has become quite controversial. The accusations range from being unethical to obsession with his own power. On the other hand, he is the key figure associated with a game-changing technology. There could be multi-dimensional pushback to what WilmerHale comes up with. 

Moreover the timing of this isn't good for WilmerHale. It could lose business when the pressure is on for law firms to keep growing. Some attribute the surge in changes in law firm leadership to that imperative. 

Also a sign of the times, just about every location, be it London or Houston, Texas, has become a battleground among law firms. Recently Kirkland and Ellis and Paul, Weiss have really been at it. Ignored seem to be the risks such an aggressive chase after growth brings. Growth requires big bucks and law firms could run out of them. The memory of the collapse of Dewey & LeBoeuf which made growth an objective, at any cost, no longer seems to haunt. 

Back to WilmerHale. Other law firms have managed to navigate out of reputational crisis. At the top of the list is Jones Day who had represented Donald Trump. Currently it's not often that the professional anonymous networks such as Fishbowl and Reddit put the knock on it. Obviously the heat is off.

WilmerHale could reset its branding. Or it could continue to suffer reputational loss. Getting the OpenAI assignment could turn out to be a blessing or a tipping point for disaster. 

Data or the gut for your careers and communications? Both of course. Complimentary consultation with intuitive coach, content-creator, and Tarot reader Jane Genova (text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com).



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