One-sentence summary: Paul, Weiss law firm reached a deal with President Trump to avoid an executive order, agreeing to limit DEI policies, support Trump-aligned causes, and publicly distance itself from a former partner who once investigated Trump.
President Donald Trump has rescinded an executive order targeting the prominent law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP after the firm agreed to a set of concessions in a deal negotiated directly with Trump. The agreement requires the firm to represent clients regardless of political affiliation, donate $40 million in legal services to initiatives favored by Trump, and conduct a hiring audit to ensure merit-based practices without using DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies. The firm will also support Trump’s efforts to aid veterans and combat antisemitism.
This development is part of Trump’s broader retribution campaign against institutions he believes wronged him, particularly Democratic-leaning law firms. Legal experts expressed concern over the implications of the deal, which some view as capitulation to political pressure and potentially undermining legal independence. Paul, Weiss has long been known for its progressive values and has employed many prominent Democrats, including former Obama administration officials. The firm’s chairman, Brad Karp, met with Trump in person to negotiate the resolution and, according to the White House, acknowledged “wrongdoing” by former partner Mark F. Pomerantz. Pomerantz previously tried to build a criminal case against Trump while working for the Manhattan DA. He denied any wrongdoing.
The deal only applies to Paul, Weiss and not to other firms facing similar executive orders. The broader legal community has expressed concern over the chilling effect such orders could have, especially given Trump’s previous actions against other law firms such as Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie. The latter had a restraining order issued against Trump’s executive action, which was found likely unconstitutional.
Before agreeing to the deal, Paul, Weiss had considered suing Trump and had brought in Quinn Emanuel, a firm with past ties to Trump, to represent them. However, talks led to a negotiated resolution. Reports indicate that while a statement had been agreed upon, its wording changed before release, notably including a clause rejecting DEI policies – a shift that has not been publicly clarified by Paul, Weiss.
This case joins a pattern of other Trump settlements, such as with Meta and ABC News, where he used legal pressure to extract concessions or funding for his presidential library. The developments highlight Trump’s growing influence over private institutions since returning to power.
Schmidt, Michael S. “Law Firm Bends in Face of Trump Demands.” The New York Times, 21 Mar. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/us/politics/paul-weiss-deal-trump-executive-order-withdrawn.html.
Key takeaways:
- Paul, Weiss avoided an executive order by agreeing to Trump’s demands, including rejecting DEI policies and donating legal services to Trump-backed causes.
- The deal follows a personal Oval Office meeting between Trump and the firm’s chairman, Brad Karp.
- Trump used the deal to highlight supposed wrongdoing by former partner Mark Pomerantz, who denies any misconduct.
- Legal experts fear the deal sets a precedent of law firms capitulating to political pressure.
- Other Trump actions against media and tech companies also resulted in financial settlements benefitting his library or causes.
- The firm considered legal action against Trump before opting to settle.
Most important quotations:
- “The president is agreeing to this action in light of a meeting with Paul, Weiss Chairman, Brad Karp, during which Mr. Karp acknowledged the wrongdoing of former Paul, Weiss partner, Mark Pomerantz…”
- “I engaged in no wrongdoing by working as a prosecutor to uphold the rule of law,” – Mark Pomerantz
- “The firm would represent clients no matter their political affiliations.”
- “The firm agreed… not to adopt, use, or pursue any DEI policies.”
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Word count of original article: 1,492
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