Overview
- The New York Times' Aug. 2 report published internal emails and documents showing managing partner Brad Karp met with President Trump in the Oval Office, with Robert Kraft brokering, and promised $40 million in pro bono work to resolve a March 14, 2025 executive order.
- The paper also reported a secret 2023 $3.5 million settlement that led to the departure of Paul Weiss's first openly transgender partner, Lex Korberg, with terms barring lawsuits or disparagement against the firm.
- After the Oval Office meeting the firm removed references to suits against the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers from its Center to Combat Hate site and leadership declined to bring new cases against the administration, actions critics say showed accommodation to political pressure.
- Other major law firms followed Paul Weiss's example, with eight firms agreeing to roughly $1 billion in pro bono commitments tied to causes favored by the president, a pattern that lawyers warn has chilled litigation challenging the administration.
- The disclosures have produced reputational and personnel fallout at Paul Weiss, including high-profile departures, a reported decline in recruiting interest, and questions about how a shift toward profit-focused corporate practice shaped the firm's choices.