President Donald Trump has rescinded an executive order aimed at restricting the operations of the prominent law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, and Garrison LLP. The order had sought to limit the firm’s ability to engage with government contracts, suspend its security clearances, and impede its access to federal courthouses, potentially halting its operations.
The executive order, signed earlier this month, specifically targeted Paul Weiss due to its involvement in legal matters against Trump and some attorneys’ participation in the January 6 Capitol riot. The order criticized the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and accused them of undermining the judicial process and core American principles.
In response, Paul Weiss, one of the nation’s largest law firms, engaged in negotiations with the Trump administration. The firm, led by chairman Brad Karp, agreed to significant changes, including the elimination of DEI programs, a commitment to political neutrality in client selection, and an undertaking to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services supporting veterans, justice reform, and combating anti-Semitism.
The firm’s shift also included a pledge to adopt merit-based hiring and promotion practices, moving away from DEI policies. Furthermore, Paul Weiss rebuked former attorneys who had been involved in lawsuits against Trump or his supporters.
This move has sparked controversy within the legal community. Critics, including bar societies and law associations, voiced concern over the firm’s apparent acquiescence to the Trump administration’s policies. The situation recalls a similar confrontation between Perkins Coie LLP and the Trump administration, which led to a federal judge blocking an executive order targeting the firm.
While Paul Weiss has made concessions to end the restrictions, its website still prominently features content celebrating its commitment to diversity and inclusion, including a video titled “A Culture of Inclusion: Paul Weiss’s Enduring Values.” The firm’s pivot raises critical questions about corporate neutrality and the balance between legal advocacy and political influence.
President Trump signs executive order Picture by AFP Via FMT Creative C 4 0
