The Scott Barshay Era at Paul, Weiss: Low-Media Profile Strategy Interrupted with More Partner Exits

 After the press release about the change in leadership at Paul, Weiss it's been quiet on the external news front. That's a classic of crisis management: Get out the necessary information, then lay low. The odds are that, in time, another institution will be in the soup, the heat will be off you and the repositioning and repackaging strategy will unfold nicely.

In Bloomberg Law, Roy Strom detailed the pieces of Paul, Weiss that have to be realigned. And, in charge of that is the new chair, appointed by the firm's Deciders, Scott Barshay. 

Well, despite the smartest approaches, stuff happens. One of those pieces broke loose and made news. Law.com reports that two Intellectual Property Paul, Weiss litigation partners have lateraled to Dechert. They are Anish Desai and Priyata Patel. That probably Barshay finds so unwelcome, especially the news element.

 In the past 12 months 260 lawyers, both partners and associates, left. That's a 70% increase from the year before. Add on two more. The issue is: What will be its present and future ability to attract replacements? Especially star rainmakers. 

So, what really is this job Barshay is supposed to do? As BTI Consulting/McKenna documents, being the leader of a law firm has evolved into the kind of high-stress almost impossible position that has fewer takers. The reputational risk is among the biggest source of angst. The results have ranged from mergers to a succession gap. Recall that in January 2025, the then chair of Paul, Weiss Brad Karp had a major heart attack. 

Karp took that job when he was 48 in 2008. So, essentially he had had a good run in terms of health. Barshay parachuted in at age 60. What toll will stabilizing the firm have on his health, emotions and point of view? Already in a BusinessInsider interview a few years before his heart attack Karp was alluding to the impacts of aging.

As for Karp who's now back to focusing full time on his almost mystical technical lawyering skills, what he needs are some high-profile wins to be let out of the "penalty box." That term dates back to the heyday of IBM when it was the top dog in global tech. Given its dominance it had a generous culture. Those who fell from grace tumbled into the penalty box. But, not to worry, they probably would be allowed out, in time. Since Karp seems to have reset his persona appropriately - a must in the penalty-box ritual - things could work out just fine for him. 

In my coaching, I start from the inside when guiding comebacks. Success is a mental game. 

Earning a Good Living in 2026 Involves Mental Combat. The enemy is usually your own thinking.

Complimentary consultation. No Pressure. Solid Guidance. Contact Jane Genova janegenova374@gmail.com.