On the heels of Donald Trump’s executive order targeting several top law firms over ties to the president’s perceived enemies and decisions he opposes, Trump on Thursday announced that he had reached an agreement to drop his attack against one of the firms, Paul, Weiss. The deal, according to a Truth Social post, will renege Trump’s threat to suspend the security clearances of the firm’s attorneys in exchange for Paul, Weiss to dedicate $40 million in pro-bono services throughout his term.
The deal was widely seen as a remarkable act of capitulation by one of the most powerful law firms in the country. And now, an associate at Skadden Arps, another top firm, is speaking out.
In a company-wide email that was publicized online, Rachel Cohen, a third-year finance associate, condemned her employers for failing to speak out against the Trump administration’s retaliatory efforts. Cohen said that her letter should be considered a resignation unless any meaningful action emerged.
“This is not what I saw for my career or for my evening, but Paul Weiss’ decision to cave to the Trump administration on DEI, representation, and staffing has forced my hand,” she wrote. “We do not have time. It is either now or never, and if it’s never, I will not continue to work here.”
If your company caves to Trump/the republicans, don’t quit in a grand statement. They don’t care, they’ll save money, they get rid of a possibly problematic employee, and you’re out of a job.
Lie low, stay under the radar, continue to collect paychecks, meanwhile, destroy them with little acts of sabotage from the inside. You get your satisfaction, retain your income, meanwhile robbing them of income all the while thinking you’re working for them when you’re actually working against them.
They have almost no defense against agents on the inside.
That’s not how it works in big law. Reputation means everything. If good lawyers decide to move, that affects partner profit.
A 3rd year associate might not make big waves but it does open the door for partner moves. It might not make headlines when it happens too.