Like other elite, international law firms, Paul Weiss—which has more than 1,000 attorneys in offices all over the world—often represents major brands and high net-worth entities. Clients could reconsider whom they hire for legal services if sticking with Paul Weiss, or any law firm that the White House affixes a Scarlet Letter, could bring them […]
Like other elite, international law firms, Paul Weiss—which has more than 1,000 attorneys in offices all over the world—often represents major brands and high net-worth entities. Clients could reconsider whom they hire for legal services if sticking with Paul Weiss, or any law firm that the White House affixes a Scarlet Letter, could bring them adverse consequences. Along those lines, while Paul Weiss offers numerous services, there are other firms with similarly impressive, well-rounded profiles that clients could use instead. The deal Karp reached with Trump might have avoided a “worst-case” scenario of clients walking and top attorneys, some with extensive books of businesses, jumping to other firms.
Trump’s outrage reflected Covington & Burling representing former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who prosecuted Trump until dropping the case after Trump was re-elected last November. In response, Boston Bar Association president Matthew V. P. McTygue said, “the Administration’s actions send a chilling message to all lawyers, that representation of individuals out of favor with the Administration could invite retaliation by the federal government … it strikes at the heart of an impartial and independent justice system.”
In February, Trump signed a memorandum to suspend security clearances for Covington & Burling LLP employees who he said, “are involved in the weaponization of government, pending a review of their roles and responsibility in the weaponization of the judicial process.” The memorandum called for a “comprehensive review” of federal contracts with the firm.
Karp is an accomplished attorney in the sports industry. He and fellow Paul Weiss partner Loretta Lynch, who served as U.S. Attorney General under President Barack Obama, have teamed up to counter Flores’ allegations of race discrimination.
Paul Weiss drew Trump’s ire not for anything sports related but largely because of former law firm partner—and former federal prosecutor—Mark Pomerantz. After retiring from Paul Weiss in 2012, Pomerantz went on to lead an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office into Trump’s business and tax practices. Pomerantz also authored People vs Donald Trump: An Inside Account, a book that was released in 2023 and rebuked Trump.
Sherman Silverstein partner Alan Milstein, who is chair of his firm’s litigation department and has litigated on behalf of Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Eddy Curry, Maurice Clarett and other major sports figures, told Sportico, “the Administration’s Executive Order was an affront to the entire legal community. A firm with the power of Paul Weiss, and given its history, should have had the backbone to defend not just itself but all of us.” Another prominent attorney, Mark Zaid, wrote on X, “I would be embarrassed if I was lawyer at #PaulWeiss. To compromise principles in this way is not why I became a lawyer.”
Covington & Burling has for many years represented the NFL, including in the Sunday Ticket antitrust class action, the league’s interests in litigation involving former Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder and Clarett v. NFL. The firm’s sports clients have also included Major League Baseball, the NBA, NHL, NASCAR, UFC and other major sports organizations. Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, longtime NFL executive vice president and general counsel Jeffrey Pash and NBA general counsel and chief compliance officer Rick Buchanan all practiced at Covington & Burling before joining their respective leagues.
That line of criticism could lead some Paul Weiss clients and attorneys to reconsider their affiliation.
Paul Weiss isn’t the only major law firm with sports ties that Trump has punished for what appear to be political reasons.
But the deal comes with a serious reputational cost for Paul Weiss, too. By striking an arrangement with Trump, some see the firm as capitulating instead of standing firm to resist strong-arm tactics—a critique that could bring about its own set of problematic outcomes.
The deal has sparked members of the legal community to rebuke Paul Weiss, which has substantial ties to the sports industry.
The executive order could have had devastating consequences for Paul Weiss, particularly in retaining clients and adding new ones. In addition, the order might have swayed some Paul Weiss attorneys, including those who bring clients with them, to consider other employment opportunities.
Last month, Trump signed a similar memorandum regarding Perkins Coie LLP, who Trump chastised for representation of clients connected to the 2016 presidential campaign and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The law firm represents Adidas in a trademark infringement case against Aviator Nation and has an extensive practice representing colleges and athletic departments in NIL, media rights and related matters. Perkins Coie has challenged the legality of Trump’s memorandum, saying it violates free speech, due process and the freedom to select counsel.
Paul Weiss has represented the NFL in major legal matters, including in the concussion litigation and in the Deflategate case brought by Tom Brady. More recently the firm has defended the NFL in employment cases brought by Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and The Athletic (and former NFL Network) journalist Jim Trotter. Paul Weiss has also represented Diamond Sports Group in its bankruptcy matter, advised WWE in its deal with Endeavor Group Holdings to form TKO Group Holdings and advised venture capital firm 776 and Alexis Ohanian in selling a controlling stake of Angel City Football Club to Willow Bay and Bob Iger.
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he revoked an executive order, issued on March 14, that suspended security clearances for attorneys at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP (Paul Weiss), limited the firm’s access to government buildings and heightened governmental review of federal contracts with Paul Weiss’ clients. Trump explained that he and Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp struck a deal in which the firm agreed to drop DEI practices and dedicate the equivalent of million in pro bono legal services to administration initiatives.
