Top Paul Weiss Lawyer Damian Williams Joins Jenner & Block Post-Trump Deal

Damian Williams, the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, is leaving the elite law firm Paul Weiss just five months after rejoining it, to join Jenner & Block as co-chair of its Litigation Department. Paul Weiss was the first firm to strike a deal with President Donald Trump's administration to avoid a punitive executive order, agreeing to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services, which led to the order against it being revoked. Jenner & Block, by contrast, challenged a similar executive order in court and won a ruling permanently blocking it, emphasizing its commitment to fearlessly advocating for clients. Williams praised Jenner & Block for living its values and taking on tough cases, signaling a preference for a firm that resists the Trump administration's legal pressures rather than accommodating them. His departure is part of a broader pattern of high-profile resignations from Paul Weiss following criticism of its agreement with the Trump administration. Williams is noted for his leadership in high-profile prosecutions, including those against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and Senator Bob Menendez.