Post- Brian Thompson Assassination: "Power" Becomes Dirty Word, with the Capitalistic Values of the Legal System In-Play

Society is becoming more receptive to treating the typical power of capitalism's top players as a negative. 

Late healthcare insurance leader Brian Thompson was allegedly gunned down because of the capitalistic values he symbolized and supposedly implemented. Much has changed since then in public opinion. Well known are polls such as those by Emerson College indicating young people's acceptance of that murder as "acceptable." Alleged killer Luigi Mangione is being hailed as a saint.

Trial attorneys, of course, have to be right in sync with the court of public opinion. That's exactly why they often hire public relations firms to get their clients' stories out there, in ways that they want them told.

So, it's predictable that the lawyer, now looped on the plaintiff side in to assist the previously pro se litigation "Savignac, et al. v Jones Day," positions and packages the term "power" in a negative way. As Bloomberg Law News reports Alexandra Walsh notes:

[Plaintiffs Marc Savignac and his wife Julie Sheketoff] "are standing up to unfair treatment of a very powerful entity’s employees ..."

The complaint is about alleged discrimination for parental leave for fathers. The general subject has gained traction. Skilled in publicity Savignac and Sheketoff have been receiving plenty of coverage for their lawsuit. Like Jones Day, they have been representing themselves. Only recently with a jury trial being okayed for November 2025 did they bring in master litigator Walsh.

Expose on large law firms "Servants of the Damned" by David Enrich does a hatchet job on the power of Jones Day specifically and large law firms more generally. 

Going forward, prominent law firms might have to soften their image with public relations campaigns to send the message of being in the public interest. That was how the majority of law firms actually were perceived decades ago. You didn't go to work as a lawyer at a Cravath to become wealthy. You did it for the mission of serving the US legal system. As one big-name in law told me decades ago, "If I wanted money I would have gone to Wall Street."

Times have changed. Currently brandname partners could be pulling down $20 million a year, with multi-year guarantees.

Earlier Walsh had been a partner at Baker Botts and Paul Weiss. She is now a partner at Anapol Weiss.

If the plaintiffs and their lawyer of record Walsh are smart they will keep up the publicity. That in itself can send an arctic chill through law firms which are described on professional anonymous networks Reddit and Fishbowl as "the most sweaty of sweatshops" exploiting not only associates but equity partners. The latter who aren't continuing to bring in adequate revenues are being demoted or ousted. The euphemism is "de-equitization." In addition, in my coaching I hear poignant sagas of junior equity partners getting roughed up by senior equity partners. 

If the verdict in "Savignac" goes the plaintiffs' way it could be a new day in both employee and equity partner relationships at elite law firms. That, for example, could throw off Profit Per Equity Partner. Meanwhile the knock is put on the non-equity partner tier since its function does serve to boost PPEP. Currently Paul Weiss has only begun to pilot that designation. Bad publicity could short-circuit that experiment. 

In short, much is in play as a result of the sainting Luigi Mangione and "Savignac," especially the capitalist values of much of the legal system - not only elite law firms.

Meanwhile, we "little people," as Christmas movies such as "It's a Wonderful Life" depict us, could be feeling like we could stand up to traditional power. Savignac and Sheketoff could also earn their wings as saints.

Affordable Career Coach Jane Genova provides end-to-end career services, ranging from diagnosis of the challenges and fix-it strategies to preparation of resume/cover letters/LinkedIn profiles and how to gain control of an interview. I specialize in over-50 work issues. My edge is a background in marketing communications. For a confidential complimentary consultation please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com. Remote and in-person.