The recent capitulation of Paul, Weiss to President
Donald Trump’s demands is a glaring example of this rot.

New York, N.Y. –– A great menace stalks the land. It is not subtle or hidden—it is brazen and unapologetic. This menace is the erosion of our democratic institutions and the normalization of autocratic behavior.

Paul Weiss has long been regarded as a bastion of progressive values within the legal community.

Its history is steeped in defending civil rights and standing firm against government overreach. Yet, when faced with an executive order threatening its business operations, it chose not to fight but to fold. In exchange for the revocation of this order, the firm agreed to provide $40 million in pro bono services aligned with Trump’s administration’s priorities—priorities that include dismantling diversity initiatives and consolidating power.

This is not just a business decision; it is a moral failure.

The legal profession has always been tasked with upholding justice and challenging abuses of power. Lawyers are meant to be the bulwark against tyranny, not its enablers. Paul, Weiss had every resource at its disposal to challenge this unlawful order in court—a fight it could have won and one that would have set a precedent for resisting political intimidation. Instead, it chose the path of least resistance.

Brad Karp, the firm’s chairman, defended this decision as aligning with the firm’s core values and maintaining political neutrality. But neutrality in the face of injustice is complicity. By capitulating to Trump’s demands, Paul, Weiss has sent a chilling message: that even the most powerful law firms can be cowed into submission when their bottom line is threatened.

This cowardice does not exist in a vacuum; it emboldens further abuses of power.

Trump’s campaign against major law firms representing his opponents or upholding diversity policies is part of a broader effort to reshape institutions in his image. By yielding to these tactics, Paul, Weiss has not only betrayed its own principles but also weakened the legal profession as a whole.

The backlash from within the legal community has been swift and justified.

Prominent attorneys have condemned Paul, Weiss for setting a dangerous precedent and undermining the ethical standards that should guide all lawyers. As one prosecutor aptly put it, “The example they are setting is to surrender to unlawful orders rather than fight them in court.”

This moment demands courage—not just from law firms but from all institutions that value democracy and justice.

The question posed by the 1930s labor anthem rings louder than ever: What side are you on? Are you on the side of justice, equality, and resistance to tyranny? Or will you stand with those who enable oppression for profit?

Paul, Weiss had an opportunity to stand tall against intimidation and demonstrate that some principles are worth more than money or convenience. Instead, it chose cowardice over courage.

As citizens and advocates for justice, we must hold institutions like Paul Weiss accountable for their actions.

We must demand better from those who wield immense power within our society—because when they falter, it is not just their reputation at stake but the very fabric of our democracy.

The menace stalking our land thrives on fear and apathy. It grows stronger each time we choose silence over action or compromise over principle. The time to resist is now—before it is too late.

Cowardice: Big Law Firm Bows to Trump, $40M Concession (March 24, 2025)

#PaulWeiss #LegalIntegrity #StandUpForJustice #TrumpDeal #CowardiceInLaw #WhatSideAreYouOn #LegalBacklash #AutocracyEnabled #JusticeBetrayed #LawyersSpeakOut

Tags: Paul Weiss, Donald Trump, legal profession, executive order, pro bono work,
diversity policies, autocracy, law firm backlash, legal ethics, political intimidation