Four Paul Weiss Partners Exit Following Trump Deal

Four prominent partners at Paul, Weiss—Karen Dunn, Bill Isaacson, Jeannie Rhee, and Jessica Phillips—are leaving the firm to start their own boutique litigation practice. Their departure follows the firm's controversial deal with President Donald Trump's administration, in which Paul, Weiss agreed to provide $40 million in pro bono legal work on administration-backed causes and pledged not to refuse clients based on political views or use diversity policies, leading Trump to rescind an executive order targeting the firm. The partners, known for representing major technology companies and having ties to Democratic figures and investigations of Trump, did not explicitly cite the deal as their reason for leaving but sent a farewell email expressing disappointment at the timing of the announcement. Paul, Weiss chairman Brad Karp thanked them for their contributions amid the departures. The deal with Trump had sparked backlash and legal challenges from other firms, with some suing over similar executive orders deemed unconstitutional. This situation highlights tensions within elite law firms balancing political pressures, client representation, and internal dynamics.