Bad Guys and Good Guys - Big Law Clients Aren't Thinking That Way (and what about signaling solidarity with flowers?)

 There's a disconnect between how communications platforms, ranging from legacy media to professional anonymous networks, are taking sides in the Trump Executive Order controversy and what clients are doing. 

Essentially some of the messaging channels are designating the bad guys, like Paul Weiss and now Skadden, and the good ones such as Perkins Coie, Wilmer Hale and Jenner and Block.

But, in general, clients are staying out of it - and staying put with the law firms which have bumped up against the Trump administration's ire. 

For instance, at Perkins Coie, The Wall Street Journal documents, there have been some client dropouts such as Honeywell. But:

" ... some of Perkins’s oldest and biggest clients, including Boeing, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Intel and the National Football League’s Seattle Seahawks team, have stuck by the firm so far, according to people familiar with the matter." 

Paul Weiss, which went for dealmaking, hasn't lost clients.  

As yet, we don't know if Skadden's decision to conduct talks with the administration will affect its ability to hang on to its clients. The CMO Luke Ferrandino, whose duties include business development, must be a busy guy. In addition to the controversy triggered by reaching out there's the stink of the Rachel Cohen resignation from the firm. She has become the front lines of the "resistance."

In the WSJ coverage of Perkins Coie there's a cute anecdote. After the EO, flowers, with no identifying card, arrived at its Seattle headquarters. It thanked the law firm for fighting the good fight. The office manager showcased that internally. 

In a sign of solidarity should we also send flowers to those law firms whose decisions during this crisis we support?

For example, I have seen the wisdom of Paul Weiss, a very juicy target for the administration because of its aggressive advocacy for social justice, cutting a deal. 

Maybe I will contact FTD for the Sweet & Pretty Bouquet? Right now it's on sale for between $40 and $70. Since I bought my car before the tariffs and was able to pay for it in cash I'm sitting pretty financially - and feel good. I tool around as if it's a European roadster. Also it's small enough for me to hand-wash it myself. Save a bundle.

Meanwhile career coaches such as myself have to wonder about the surge of applications to law school. Why would anyone go into debt to prepare to enter a line of work in such turmoil? It isn't just the politics. Generative AI is a real job-killer. 

Lawyers I coach project much of the work will disappear within 10 years. That gives those entering law school in the fall about six years post-graduation for earning a living from their investment in the degree. The one seminar I took in communications for 45 bucks supported 41 years of paid work. 

UPDATE:

Skadden made that deal with the Trump administration. Read all about it in Bloomberg Law. It includes $100 million in pro bono services. Skadden CMO Ferrandino will have to position and package this brilliantly to neutralize the blowback. Paul Weiss got away with $40 million in pro bono work. 

Have to change? As your intuitive career coach/tarot reader I guide you in transitions. Clients range from lawyers to entrepreneurs to the trades to new graduates. Free confidential consultation. If we work together, fees are what you can afford. To connect: Jane Genova (text/phone 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). In-person and remote.