Four prominent partners—Karen Dunn, Jeannie Rhee, Jessica Phillips, and William Isaacson—have officially resigned from the prestigious law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Their departure comes in response to the firm’s controversial agreement with the Trump administration, a move that has stirred significant debate within the legal and political communities.
The four attorneys, each with a strong reputation in high-profile litigation and deep ties to Democratic politics, announced plans to launch a new boutique litigation firm. Their professional backgrounds include major cases for leading tech firms such as Google, Apple, and Amazon, along with key roles in federal investigations and political campaigns.
Their resignations appear to have been triggered by Paul, Weiss’s recent deal with the Trump administration. As part of that agreement, the firm pledged to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services for causes aligned with the administration’s agenda—including veterans’ support, combating antisemitism, and promoting fairness in the justice system. In addition, the firm agreed to roll back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and formally acknowledged misconduct by former partner Mark Pomerantz, who had previously been involved in investigations related to Donald Trump.
The deal followed an executive order by President Trump, which temporarily suspended Paul, Weiss’s security clearances and barred the firm from federal contracts, citing concerns about its DEI efforts and past political involvements. The firm reportedly viewed the situation as an “existential crisis,” fearing long-term damage to its operations and client relationships.
Reactions within the legal community have been sharply divided. While some have praised the move as a strategic decision to protect the firm’s future, others have condemned it as a concession that compromises legal independence and professional ethics. The departure of these top-tier partners highlights internal friction within the firm and raises broader concerns about the influence of political pressure on legal institutions.
As the four attorneys move forward with the formation of their own firm, the legal world is watching closely to see how this episode will reshape discussions around firm values, political influence, and the role of lawyers in public life.
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