Paul Weiss Concedes to Trump Administration After Threatened Executive Order

The law firm agreed to end DEI policies and provide $40 million in pro bono services to avoid severe federal penalties.

President Trump rescinded an executive order targeting Paul Weiss after the firm agreed to significant concessions, including $40 million in pro bono services and eliminating DEI policies.
The executive order had threatened to revoke the firm's security clearances and terminate federal contracts, posing what Paul Weiss Chairman Brad Karp described as an 'existential crisis.'
Legal experts have raised concerns about the constitutional implications of Trump's actions, citing potential threats to the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law.
The settlement has divided the legal community, with some firms rallying to challenge similar executive orders and others criticizing Paul Weiss for capitulating.
This is part of a broader pattern of Trump's administration targeting perceived adversaries, including law firms, media organizations, and academic institutions, through punitive executive actions.