Paul Weiss - Long-Running Primetime Soap

Today, it's a long-form analysis in Politico of the continuation of negative consequences from the dealmaking by nine law firms with the Trump administration. The headline reads:

"The Fallout Is Growing on Trump’s Deals With Law Firms"

Although soapy, the whole thing has a solid following. 

Predicably, singled out for special vilification out is Paul Weiss, along with its chair Brad Karp. This is a drama which started at the end of March when Karp became the First Mover in negotiating with the administration in order to lift the Executive Order. Yet, as we bear witness today it still holding on in primetime. That's even, as with the afternoon soaps, a lot of the content is copy and paste.

Those in professional services who understand mob behavior and crisis management might ascribe the venom to the unfortunate reality that Paul Weiss has become the scapegoat for a development progressives probably didn't believe would ever happen. It has been a highly visible entity. Even Karp in one of his myriad interviews before recently laying low admitted that a high profile comes with a cost. Therefore, Paul Weiss is a natural target. 

Or it could be that the law firm which makes major decisions for prominent corporations simply made a dumb one for itself. It didn't anticipate the backlash. It also didn't foresee the possible success of fighting back through the courts.

As the backgrounders disclose over and over again, the litigation folks at the firm said to file a lawsuit. The corporate ones said to arrange a meeting with Donald Trump to negotiate the way out of the Executive Order. 

Whatever. The real issue is the future of the leadership. Can they turn this around? These are players who know how to win. Or did. 

Or, will succession be accelerated? In all parts of the firm, including the management committee as well as the top job?

Meanwhile the days of their lives for junior lawyers are filled with peril. AI can wipe out the need for many of them, with the exception of the handful who are assessed as able to make it to partner. 

In coaching, I guide professionals how to operate amid the drama. 

Rattled by the uncertainty? Faith-based Career Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, reskilling and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry.