Paul, Weiss' Bad Week Is Getting Worse

 The week of August 2, 2026 started out with the scathing article by The New York Times about the inner turmoil at Paul, Weiss, plus its continuing reputational crisis. The comments to that article, both at the NYT and on influential Reddit, howl about the lawyers' greed - both at that law firm and more generally. The tone echoes the 2022 expose on Big Law "Servants of the Damned" by David Enrich. About five of those pages focus on Paul, Weiss.

Now this. 

Brit invader in the lucrative and unique New York City legal market Linklaters announces that it has poached three more Paul, Weiss lawyers for its sports dispute business. Bloomberg Law reports:

"The firm brings aboard New York-based lawyers César Rivière, Grant May and Cara Day in its litigation, arbitration & investigations practice. Rivière is a partner; May is counsel; and Day is an associate."

 As everyone knows, that practice has become big business. 

Last month two Paul, Weiss partners had joined Linklaters in that niche. They were Christopher Boehning and Daniel Levi. 

What matters is this: If clients get fed up with the inability of new chair Scott Barshay to unify the firm and halt the unwanted media attention and partner exits. They could rehome their account. Will doing business with Paul, Weiss have a bad look?

Meanwhile, the raid on Wachtell showcased that the business of law is in upheaval.

As at Goldman Sachs with the Kathy Ruemmler problem, public relations doesn't seem to be helping. Here and here I examine how PR can be exactly the wrong tactic to reset organizational and personal brands. 

So the watchers - Big Law is a gossipy business - are monitoring any client churn, actual or potential. Right now partner Brad Karp seems to maintain his hold on his nine-figure book of business. But those throughout the legal sector and media will be all-ears about what other accounts seem vulnerable or have already found new homes. 

In coaching, I advise clients against dependence on old-line public relations approaches. Better can be to get in there with hands-on course correction. Then, swiftly move on. Essentially that's what Bob Iger did in his second round as CEO of Disney. Initially, he stumbled. Then he got to work. 

Careers. Forget all that. It’s about earning a good living, no matter what.

Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova, StreetSmart Coaching (janegenova374@gmail.com)


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