Slow News Day Softens Blow of Four High-Profile Partners Exiting Paul Weiss

 With Big Law being a business (no longer a profession) partners come and partners go. And with the fallout from the Trump administration's attack on law firms, more partners are coming and more partners are going. 

Since today was a slow news day (some are enjoying a four-day weekend) the blow was softened about four prominent partners exiting Paul Weiss. It has been among the nine law firms negotiating deals with the administration. 

Those partners are Karen Dunn, Jeanne Rhee, Jessica Phillips and William Isaacson. Politico presents their positions within Paul Weiss and association with progressive issues. The four are joining together to start their own law firm. 

Of them Dunn has the highest profile for working with Democrat heavyweights. For example, before becoming a lawyer she had handled media for Hillary Clinton. More recently she prepped Kamala Harris for the Presidential debate. In addition, Dunn specializes in tech litigation. Paul Weiss had poached her, along with Isaacson, from Boies Schiller. That represented a major achievement for chair Brad Karp.

It has been said that Dunn supported the dealmaking with the White House and rallied other partners to also go with that decision. 

Paul Weiss, as do the other eight dealmaking firms, remains under fire for not resisting the White House. Public opinion is on the side of those such as law firms Perkins Coie and Jenner & Block which filed lawsuits. The litigation challenged the legality of the Executive Orders. 

The past cannot be undone. At the time Paul Weiss, which was the first to negotiate, assessed its business would collapse if it didn't capitulate. A number of its "anchor" clients are financial firms which are also cooperating with the administration. Obviously, those clients would yank the accounts if they sensed doing business with Paul Weiss would irritate the White House. 

Incidentally, Perkins Coie, despite being a hero among the resistance, has paid a price for its stance. According to Law360, it has lost seven clients. One is Honeywell which is a government contractor. 

It is a difficult time to be a decider in Big Law. As a businessperson, I understand what factored into Paul Weiss' rapid response to the Executive Order and why it played out the way it did. 

Undone by the uncertainty? Faith-based Career Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, reskilling and aging. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com).



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