President Donald Trump agreed to withdraw an executive order targeting law firm Paul Weiss’ contracts and employee security clearances in exchange for a series of commitments from the firm, including dedicating $40 million of free legal services to “mutually agreed projects,” Trump announced.
The March 14 executive order commanded agency heads to suspend security clearances for the firm’s lawyers and threatened to snatch away government contracts for firm clients.
Paul Weiss is the third law firm targeted by Trump since late February. The pattern has sparked concerns among free speech advocates and legal observers about the independence of law firms under the new administration.
For some, Paul Weiss’ agreement, announced late Thursday in a Trump post on Truth Social, heightened those concerns.
“This Paul Weiss capitulation is the most disgraceful action by a major law firm in my lifetime, so appalling that I couldn’t believe it at first,” posted lawyer George Conway, a prominent Republican-turned-Independent Trump critic, on X.
Why executive order threatened Paul Weiss business
In targeting Paul Weiss, the March 14 executive order cited its former hire of ex-New York prosecutor Mark Pomerantz, who wrote in a letter published in the New York Times in 2022 that Trump was “guilty of numerous felony violations.” The letter was written before Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg secured an indictment – and later a conviction – against Trump on charges of falsifying business records. Trump has appealed the conviction.
“The President is agreeing to this action in light of a meeting with Paul, Weiss Chairman, Brad Karp, during which Mr. Karp acknowledged the wrongdoing of former Paul, Weiss partner, Mark Pomerantz, the grave dangers of Weaponization, and the vital need to restore our System of Justice,” a White House statement accompanying Trump’s Thursday announcement said.
The executive order marked a significant potential threat to the firm’s business. Trump ordered agency heads to require government contractors to disclose any business they do with Paul Weiss and whether that business is related to the contract’s subject – suggesting the administration may cancel contracts for some of Weiss’ clients, not just any direct contracts with the firm.
Other firm clients or potential clients may have also feared an association with the firm would bring them in the government’s crosshairs. One client of the firm, former legal executive of Cognizant Technology Solutions Steven Schwartz, decided to terminate the firm as defense legal counsel due to the executive order, the firm said in a Wednesday court filing.
Pattern of law firm targeting
Trump also suspended security clearances on Feb. 25 for lawyers at Covington & Burling who helped former special counsel Jack Smith. Smith secured two indictments against Trump but dropped the charges after Trump won the 2024 election.
In a March 6 executive order, Trump targeted security clearances and contracts for law firm Perkins Coie, which has filed a lawsuit alleging the executive order is unconstitutional. A Washington, D.C. federal judge issued a temporary restraining order March 12 halting several restrictions in the order.
The executive orders targeting Perkins Coie and Paul Weiss also stated that the administration objected to what it described as diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at the firms. Trump suggested Paul Weiss acceded to the administration’s demands on that front as part of its agreement.
Signage is seen outside of the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 30, 2020.
“Paul, Weiss affirms its commitment to merit-based hiring, promotion, and retention, and will not adopt, use, or pursue any DEI policies,” according to Trump’s announcement. “As part of its commitment, it will engage experts, to be mutually agreed upon within 14 days, to conduct a comprehensive audit of all of its employment practices.”
A spokesperson for Paul Weiss didn’t immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
According to Trump’s Truth Social post, Paul Weiss Chairman Brad Karp said of the agreement, “We are gratified that the President has agreed to withdraw the Executive Order concerning Paul, Weiss. We look forward to an engaged and constructive relationship with the President and his Administration.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Law firm Paul Weiss makes deal with Trump to escape executive order
