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BumRushDaShow

(156,502 posts)
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 03:38 PM Apr 2025

'Uprising' at major law firm that just cut a deal with Trump: report

Source: Raw Story

April 11, 2025 1:40PM ET


Attorneys working at a law firm that just cut a deal with President Donald Trump are reportedly in open revolt.

The Bulwark's Sam Stein reports that more than 500 associate attorneys and staff at Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP signed a letter imploring the firm not to take an offer from Trump to do pro bono work on behalf of his administration in exchange for him not revoking security clearances.

The letter sent to leadership emphasizes that while the firm is "facing an unprecedented threat, and that there are no risk-free options in these circumstances" and then adds that "we firmly believe that agreements of this nature contribute to the degradation of the rule of law in the United States" and that "we firmly believe that a similar agreement would be detrimental to A&O Shearman’s business interests both in the United States and internationally, in terms of client relationships, employee retention, recruitment, and the firm’s US and global reputation, both now and in the future."

Stein describes the letter as an "uprising" against the firm's leadership and an indication that there is considerable dissent from within the legal community about resigning to the president's threats.

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-law-firms-2671752951/

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'Uprising' at major law firm that just cut a deal with Trump: report (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Apr 2025 OP
They'll all have to be terminated b/c Trump fires everyone who disagrees with him. bucolic_frolic Apr 2025 #1
LOL DENVERPOPS Apr 2025 #35
None Henry203 Apr 2025 #38
Is There a Work Stoppage? ruet Apr 2025 #2
At least they are getting some push back and not accepting things. Biophilic Apr 2025 #3
Exactly, or actually quit. JohnSJ Apr 2025 #4
Everyone who touches trump in any way turns to crap and burns. mwb970 Apr 2025 #5
This is open extortion by the POTUS. hadEnuf Apr 2025 #6
You have hundreds of lawyers kacekwl Apr 2025 #20
"Pro bono"??? WTF??? PatSeg Apr 2025 #7
I wonder how much will be "election fairness" HereForTheParty Apr 2025 #9
Good point PatSeg Apr 2025 #24
They will now be Trump Crime Syndicate attorneys. Irish_Dem Apr 2025 #26
All his dreams are coming true PatSeg Apr 2025 #37
Yes Trump, his family, the entire Trump crime syndicate have free representation Irish_Dem Apr 2025 #46
They must be feeling very self-satisfied and smug right about now PatSeg Apr 2025 #57
Oh yes they think they are brilliant. Irish_Dem Apr 2025 #59
sickening... stillcool Apr 2025 #12
Damn, we lose the rule of law PatSeg Apr 2025 #23
Susman will win Henry203 Apr 2025 #39
Pro Bonered orangecrush Apr 2025 #15
No kidding! calimary Apr 2025 #29
Beware a cheap lawyer. usonian Apr 2025 #18
I guess that's probably true PatSeg Apr 2025 #25
How do you fire someone who works for free? usonian Apr 2025 #31
On social media or email!!! PatSeg Apr 2025 #36
And he won't yet say what cases. TommyT139 Apr 2025 #32
Yes, his greed is only surpassed by his need PatSeg Apr 2025 #47
"Who people are..." TommyT139 Apr 2025 #54
I know that I have been rather shocked PatSeg Apr 2025 #58
That was his MO in business since the beginning - don't pay anyone he owes for work they performed mdbl Apr 2025 #44
Yes, why pay for anything if you don't have to? PatSeg Apr 2025 #48
What if they accept the requirement to work for him pro bono but intentionally blow the cases? wnylib Apr 2025 #60
You know, I was thinking the same thing PatSeg Apr 2025 #61
Big Law is about profits, not the greater good HereForTheParty Apr 2025 #8
Lawyers will represent who pays them Henry203 Apr 2025 #52
Hope it's not too late to back out. Amaryllis Apr 2025 #10
Caving will destroy the firm. bronxiteforever Apr 2025 #11
Caving will destroy the rule of law - which will destroy the need for any lawyers. erronis Apr 2025 #14
As in notinkansas Apr 2025 #43
These are the same people who would be doing the pro bono work for the Trump administration. patphil Apr 2025 #13
Exactly the got sold down the river by their bosses. Irish_Dem Apr 2025 #27
Thank you, A&O Shearman. (nt) Paladin Apr 2025 #16
Where the hell is the American Bar Association?? lastlib Apr 2025 #17
Good question. ABA's crickets sound just like the crickets we heard a few years ago from the American Psychiatric Assoc. wordstroken Apr 2025 #19
"Where the hell is the American Bar Association??" BumRushDaShow Apr 2025 #21
500 attorneys should walk out. louis-t Apr 2025 #22
I'm not a lawyer nor do I BaronChocula Apr 2025 #28
you got that right Skittles Apr 2025 #34
KnR Hekate Apr 2025 #30
Post removed Post removed Apr 2025 #33
I wonder how many of the 500 signers come from the 650 who report to a U.S. Office. pat_k Apr 2025 #40
I think they are mostly from NYC Henry203 Apr 2025 #50
Thanks so much for the insight! pat_k Apr 2025 #62
How many of those employees voted for him? Asking for a friend.... live love laugh Apr 2025 #41
Probably none Henry203 Apr 2025 #51
They'd better stand strong flamingdem Apr 2025 #42
Time to STAND UP like that ONE firm did; you'll win in court Callie1979 Apr 2025 #45
Four firms did Henry203 Apr 2025 #53
Good to know! And that firm who represented Trump standing WITH them Callie1979 Apr 2025 #55
If your company has been touched by trump..... Turbineguy Apr 2025 #49
If they are vulnerable to this level of extortion Ontheroad Apr 2025 #56

bucolic_frolic

(51,387 posts)
1. They'll all have to be terminated b/c Trump fires everyone who disagrees with him.
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 03:42 PM
Apr 2025

Nice law firm you had.

mwb970

(11,863 posts)
5. Everyone who touches trump in any way turns to crap and burns.
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 03:58 PM
Apr 2025

Giuliani
Lindell
Musk
etc.
etc.
etc.

trump cultists are clearly on the wrong side of history and everyone knows it.

PatSeg

(50,588 posts)
7. "Pro bono"??? WTF???
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 04:23 PM
Apr 2025

It is bad enough that he is threatening them, but then he wants them to work for FREE? Trump is definitely a Mob Boss, minus any commonsense or class.

Irish_Dem

(72,240 posts)
46. Yes Trump, his family, the entire Trump crime syndicate have free representation
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 08:59 AM
Apr 2025

by top law firms.

PatSeg

(50,588 posts)
57. They must be feeling very self-satisfied and smug right about now
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 01:05 PM
Apr 2025

It is not bound to end well for any of them though. It rarely does.

Irish_Dem

(72,240 posts)
59. Oh yes they think they are brilliant.
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 02:10 PM
Apr 2025

They have manipulated everyone.
Trump is totally immune for any crimes he commits.
He can grant anyone a pardon when he leaves office.
And they all have totally free long term legal representation.

Plus they will be trillionaires when he leaves office.
They assume they are untouchable.

Yes I don't think it is going to end well for them.
They will be the most hated people on earth.

stillcool

(34,385 posts)
12. sickening...
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 04:38 PM
Apr 2025
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/susman-godfrey-latest-target-in-trumps-growing-attacks-on-big-law
Trump Targets Law Firm Behind $787.5 Million Fox News Suit (4)
John Hughes
Reporter/Editor
President Donald Trump on Wednesday targeted Susman Godfrey with an executive order as an aide said the administration was close to $1 billion in deals with law firms.
-----------------------
Susman represented Dominion Voting Systems Inc. in a blockbuster defamation lawsuit against Fox Corp. in which the media company agreed to pay a $787.5 million settlement. The firm is also pursuing a defamation case against Mike Lindell, a well-known Trump advocate and chief executive officer of MyPillow, on behalf of Dominion.
“We signed with many law firms, the ones that we thought were inappropriate, and they’ve all agreed to pay,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “We have another five to go.”

While Trump has publicized four agreements with law firms that have promised $340 million in pro bono services for causes the president supports, aide Stephen Miller said the administration was getting close to $600 to $700 million in deals now, including those that haven’t been announced.

“The numbers are adding up,” Miller said in the Oval Office. “We’re going to be close to a billion soon.”


https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/susman-godfrey-latest-target-in-trumps-growing-attacks-on-big-law

PatSeg

(50,588 posts)
23. Damn, we lose the rule of law
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 05:59 PM
Apr 2025

then we've lost our democracy for a very long time, maybe forever.

Henry203

(642 posts)
39. Susman will win
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 11:46 PM
Apr 2025

And so will Jenner, Wilmer and Perkins. All the supreme comes from big legal. They will protect the lawyers. They will win 7-2.

usonian

(19,002 posts)
18. Beware a cheap lawyer.
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 05:30 PM
Apr 2025

At best you get interns. At worst, you get AI, and if the case falls apart:

WE USED GROK.
MUSK SAYS IT'S BETTER THAN LAWYERS. AND GOD.

PatSeg

(50,588 posts)
25. I guess that's probably true
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 06:18 PM
Apr 2025

and if we're lucky, they'll even sabotage his cases intentionally. Of course, it would be better to just say "No".

TommyT139

(1,635 posts)
32. And he won't yet say what cases.
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 07:21 PM
Apr 2025

Dollars to donuts he'll go for maximum humiliation and send them to do his dirty deportation work.

He has mentioned tariffs and coal -- but you just know he wants to rub their noses in how he's forcing them to be as corrupt as he is.

PatSeg

(50,588 posts)
47. Yes, his greed is only surpassed by his need
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 10:34 AM
Apr 2025

for revenge. All his demented dreams are coming true and while he has the power, he will use it until the end. He does have a talent for revealing who people really are at their core though.

PatSeg

(50,588 posts)
58. I know that I have been rather shocked
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 01:08 PM
Apr 2025

by so many of them. I'm kind of numb right now.

mdbl

(6,907 posts)
44. That was his MO in business since the beginning - don't pay anyone he owes for work they performed
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 07:58 AM
Apr 2025

PatSeg

(50,588 posts)
48. Yes, why pay for anything if you don't have to?
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 10:35 AM
Apr 2025

Sometimes, it is just a challenge to see how much you can get without paying for it.

wnylib

(25,310 posts)
60. What if they accept the requirement to work for him pro bono but intentionally blow the cases?
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 03:04 PM
Apr 2025

If caught doing that, they'd be in trouble for it, but if clever enough, they could do a subtle screw up that has plausibility.

PatSeg

(50,588 posts)
61. You know, I was thinking the same thing
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 07:01 PM
Apr 2025

Like the stories about people who sabotaged the manufacture of vehicles and weapons for the Nazis during World War II. There's all kinds of resistance.

 

HereForTheParty

(915 posts)
8. Big Law is about profits, not the greater good
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 04:24 PM
Apr 2025

Most will do whatever is best for the bottom line.

Henry203

(642 posts)
52. Lawyers will represent who pays them
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:22 AM
Apr 2025

I have a good friend who beat the DOJ in the Bob McConnell case. Bob was the governor of Virginia and conservatives. My friend is a screaming liberal and represented McConnell.

erronis

(20,571 posts)
14. Caving will destroy the rule of law - which will destroy the need for any lawyers.
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 04:46 PM
Apr 2025

Law schools can start issuing Toadie Doctorates instead of JD or LLDs. And they can be reclassified as "Clown Schools".

patphil

(8,085 posts)
13. These are the same people who would be doing the pro bono work for the Trump administration.
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 04:41 PM
Apr 2025

They don't want that shit on their hands.

Irish_Dem

(72,240 posts)
27. Exactly the got sold down the river by their bosses.
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 06:21 PM
Apr 2025

Will be Trump and pals personal attorneys.

lastlib

(26,292 posts)
17. Where the hell is the American Bar Association??
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 05:13 PM
Apr 2025

They should be screaming to high heaven about these "deals" with the devil! They, more than perhaps any organization on the planet, should be asserting their influence to protect the rule of law, and aiding these firms in standing up to the lawless regime they confront.

Maybe I'm missing something, but so far, all I'm hearing is crickets.

wordstroken

(1,237 posts)
19. Good question. ABA's crickets sound just like the crickets we heard a few years ago from the American Psychiatric Assoc.
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 05:35 PM
Apr 2025

when psychiatrist Dr. Bandy Lee and her colleagues tried to warn us.
🔕 🤐

BaronChocula

(2,965 posts)
28. I'm not a lawyer nor do I
Fri Apr 11, 2025, 06:33 PM
Apr 2025

run a big firm, but I'm amazed at what appears to be a lack of fight for what's right among so many people.

Response to BumRushDaShow (Original post)

pat_k

(11,421 posts)
40. I wonder how many of the 500 signers come from the 650 who report to a U.S. Office.
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 12:40 AM
Apr 2025

I'm guessing the 500 signers are from the 4000 lawyers they employ globally, but it would be great if a vast majority of the signers were actually drawn from the 650 who report to a U.S. Office.

AI summary:
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling (A&O Shearman) LLP, formed by the merger of Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling, has nearly 4,000 lawyers globally. Approximately 650 of these attorneys report to a U.S. office, according to A&O Shearman.

Henry203

(642 posts)
50. I think they are mostly from NYC
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:15 AM
Apr 2025

I work in big legal. I had many friends at Shearman. All of the top management went to Gibson Dunn about 9 months ago. I had less friends at Allen. AO is a west coast firm.

Henry203

(642 posts)
51. Probably none
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:18 AM
Apr 2025

I work in big legal. I knew all the senior management. About 9 months ago they all went over to Gibson Dunn. I still have their business cards.

flamingdem

(40,552 posts)
42. They'd better stand strong
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 02:24 AM
Apr 2025

or our nation is screwed. Turns out lawyers don't have spine pretty much.

Everything IS about money in this country. Principles not so much.

Callie1979

(831 posts)
45. Time to STAND UP like that ONE firm did; you'll win in court
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 08:02 AM
Apr 2025

What he's doing is ILLEGAL; call him on it
These wussies are pissing me off; I'll bet ALL of them are 10-100 millionaires; they have the ability to "survive" trumps assaults

Henry203

(642 posts)
53. Four firms did
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:26 AM
Apr 2025

Wilmer Hale is being represented by Paul Clement, Perkins Coie by Williams Connolly, Jenner Block by Cooley llp and Susman Godfrey by Munger Tolles.
I met with Williams Connelly last week. I am supposed to meet with Jenner next week.

Callie1979

(831 posts)
55. Good to know! And that firm who represented Trump standing WITH them
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 12:06 PM
Apr 2025

This shit is a threat to ALL of us.

Ontheroad

(18 posts)
56. If they are vulnerable to this level of extortion
Sat Apr 12, 2025, 01:05 PM
Apr 2025

they should not be eligible for security clearances.

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