General Discussion

If it fought Trump, it would lose its corporate book of business, their clients would go to other firms, and Paul Weiss would die. The EO was an existential threat for them. They had no choice but to make nice with Trump or die.

Yes, Paul Weis did some progressive pro bono work and represented a lot of Dems. But at their core, they are a corporate law firm. Their lawyers are pressured to bill at least 2,000 hours per year. It is a miserable life, basically a legal sweatshop. The lawyers who choose to work at these big firms have chosen money over quality of life. Paul Weiss pays first year lawyers $225,000 per year. While exact figures are hard to pinpoint due to the nature of partnership compensation, Paul Weiss partners, especially those with significant client business, can earn millions annually, with some potentially reaching $20 million or more.

I have never considered big firms like Paul Weiss paragons of virtue. Their Trump capitulation just makes it more obvious what they really are.