Reply to If Paul Weiss won’t stand up, who will?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This was unbelievable and Paul Weiss had a good case to litigate this.  But they folded rather than take a stand and are paying out $40 mn in cowardice.[/quote]

I am still deciding whether Paul Weiss folded here or not, and this is a major reason why: they didn't agree to pay $40m. They agreed to do $40m in pro bono work for people and groups "across the political spectrum."

First, is there a timeline on this? A firm could easily do $40m in pro bono work over the course of a few years. They set the value of their own work! Throw a few high billing partners on some pro bono matters over a few years and you're good.

Second, they can still choose which cases they choose. In order to cover the "right" side of the spectrum, they don't have to do work for Trump toadies. They can choose cases and clients who they feel comfortable with.

I thin it's possible Trump got nothing here. Though they also agreed to some stuff regarding DEI, I haven't looked at the details. But there are 20 firms facing the EEOC investigations and they are all going to have to figure out how to handle.

Anyway, I am not sure this is the capitulation you all think it is.[/quote]

Nobody's going to respond to this poster? I know nothing about this field, and would have liked some discussion as to what exactly PW agreed to, and what, exactly they can wiggle out of.

[/quote]

Poster is correct that the news has it wrong that PW paid Trump $40m. But that is a lot of pro bono work. More importantly, it entangles PW with the Trump causes for years. Trump has a say apparently in what causes. We know he will continue to jerk PW around.

Another example of bad negotiating. Any real attorney will tell you that entangling yourself with your opponent as part of a settlement is stupid and will lead to more disputes. Stay tuned. [/quote]

Having spent many many years at another biglaw firm and having done lots of pro bono matters while there, I can tell you that this motion “$40 million of pro bono is nothing” is flat wrong. Trump gets to pick the cases, apparently, and practicing law is still practicing law. It is hard work. Work that will overwhelmingly fall to already overworked associates who are very upset by this deal. This is terrible for many reasons, but don’t forget how this will kill their recruiting and retention. [/quote]

Moreover, I’m struggling to understand what “Trump issues” would even qualify for pro bono.

Big Law typically steps up to file pro bono lawsuits against the government. 
[/quote]

Exactly.  For example, many large firms are involved in a non profit that helps Veterans get their deserved benefits. I assume PW is one of them and accounts for a large amount of their pro bono work for "veterans."  So Trump will be ok with PW suing the government on the Veterans behalf?  Will Trump be ok with PW going after white supremacist groups for terrorizing jews?

I am truly curious what kind of pro bono we are talking about.  And more importantly, how can Karp agree while he was in Oval Office apologizing for all his personal efforts to make sure Trump didnt win, to this without this clarity and f*@# the rest of his firm with this in the process?[/quote]

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