The Hell With Milbank Match, Attention Shifts Back to Paul, Weiss Brad Karp Meme

"At my firm the partners have a wide range of personalities and lawyering style. Some carry themselves like movies stars and walk around like they’re f*ckin Brad Karp (or like they are him). Meanwhile, others are super introverted and quirky." - Reddit Big Law, August 31, 2024

That is a post asking what practice areas in large law firms have the most charismatic lawyers. And, no surprise the chair of Paul, Weiss - Brad Karp - popped up. 

It's no surprise because on professional anonymous networks (PANs) Karp attracts unusual attention. In contrast, the law firm Kirkland & Ellis dominates the lion's share of posts and comments on PANs but we never hear about its leadership such as Jon Ballis (chairman of the powerful executive committee).

Right now, even the obssession is fading about 1) Will there be Milbank bonus matches/toppers 2) If so, when. But the preoccupation with Karp has never abated. 

Six months ago, for instance, this was on Reddit:

"It’s hard not to be inspired when he [Brad Karp] walks down the hall, usually with at least one recognizable important person with him (from outside the firm). Lots of swagger. But if he’s traveling the halls himself, it’s usually like halfway between speed walking and a brisk jog. Kinda humanized him."

Yeah, the guy has lots of energy. Claims he doesn't need much sleep. Actually the best time to email him and receive a reply is about 2 AM.

And, eight months ago, here was a headline on Reddit: 

"Do you think a chair/partner who 'looks the part' (e.g. Brad Karp of Paul Weiss) boosts the firm's or team's morale?"

But not all those crawling around PANs are fans. Here is one response to that headline:

"The fact that Brad Karp would be considered handsome by big law standards is an indictment on the looks of the appearances of big law lawyers everywhere"

Well, how "good looking" is Karp? 

Unfortunately the official photo on the Paul, Weiss website is dated but you can take a peek anyway. 

More recent photos are copyrighted so I can't reproduce them w/o permission. But you can find them online such as in this Law.com article.  If you retrieve it, you'll note that there isn't that big mop of hair. Also he appears trim. Some postings over the years pointed out that he had gained weight. Guess that very disciplined guy made it his business to shake off what's sometimes known as "The Big Law 30."

In addition to determining if Karp is actually that handsome (that is, by conventional standards for assessing that sort of thing) there is also the issue: Who is this man? 

I first bumped into him when I had been an influencer in the legal sector, which was before just about every lawyer found out they had to have a blog. Actually Karp bumped into me with a compliment on my coverage of one of his social justice initiatives. Co-dependent me attached immediately. Likely I was a pest. In retrospect I have to reflect that Karp probably regretted the initial outreach. 

Since then, like most influencers, I burnt out. The blog is deleted. I even shifted careers from content-creation to intuitive coaching and tarot-reading. But I never figured out who Brad Karp is. Can players with so much power and influence let too many people in? Of course not. However, don't we all assume we were or are in? 

Since Karp is a heavyweight in fundraising for Harris-Walz, if the ticket wins he could have the pick of the litter in positions associated with the new administration. He had been at it as chair since 2008. He might have had enough. The PANs for Big Law will lose one of their most popular subjects to gossip about. 

In business and life you usually have only one shot at whatever. Up the odds of success with Jane Genova. I am an intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)