Post-Capitalism, Post-Democratic Establishment, Post-Israel: How Much Will Big Law Donate to Socialist Candidates?

 "Democratic socialists just caused a political earthquake. Now they’re coming for 2028."

Various versions of that Politico meme appear throughout media, social and ordinary conversations. The New York House primaries yesterday showcased the shift in the mindset of America. It's away from capitalism (employers overplayed their hands), old-guard liberal leadership, Israel and MAGA.

Soon enough, major players such as Big Law will have to put their money where the power is landing. OpenSecrets tracks and publishes those donations to politics, including the two major political parties as well as other groups such as "nonpartisan."

Kirkland & Ellis and Paul, Weiss have been among the major law-firm contributors. The heavy hitters, either as individual contributors and/or fundraisers, include lawyers Brad Karp, Marc Elias, David Boies and John Morgan. 

Now, experiencing the earthquake vibes, OpenSecrets might have to add a new category for where the money is going. That could go by the title "Socialism." Part of that, of course, is the Democratic Socialists of America.

To remain influential, especially in lobbying, Big Law firms and its individual partners will have to create relationships with socialists. That could go beyond funds to featuring socialist points of view in their thought-leadership publications. Embracing such platforms could reset as "catching the wave" aging power brokers such as Karp and Boies. Socialist Bernie Sanders is 84 and his influence currently is over-the-top. 

The oldest of Boomers, I thrived through the brief counterculture experiment with socialism in university towns such as Ann Arbor, Michigan during the late 1960s. It was okay not to have a lot of money. Free or low-cost food, healthcare, education, psychiatric counseling, entertainment and even legal guidance were standard. The severe recession of the mid-1970s cut all that short. Perhaps today's socialist leaders learned lessons from that on how to sustain the movement.

In coaching, I help human beings hold on to hope.

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