Elite Law Firms Deals with Trump Decried by Their Associates

Ever since the elite law firms Paul Weiss and Skadden reached deals with President Trump to scuttle executive orders that could have crippled their businesses, the firms’ top partners have closed ranks in support of the agreements.But there is discontent among the vast army of lawyers who may not have much sway in decision-making at the two firms but who do much of the work: their associates.Some of these young lawyers are saying both privately and openly that their leaders betrayed their firms’ principles with deals that could undermine a commitment to provide free legal work to public interest groups and causes at odds with the White House.In recent days, associates at Paul Weiss and Skadden have written emails to their leadership in protest, and a few have quit their jobs.One Skadden associate who resigned is Thomas Sipp.A Columbia Law School graduate, Mr.Sipp, 27, said in an interview that he had been attracted to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom because of its “pay and prestige,” but also because of the firm’s “commitment to pro bono work.” On Monday, he wrote an email to his colleagues about why he was leaving after less than two years.“I am sure some of you will question my decision and chalk it up to me being a young attorney too eager to throw his career away,” he wrote.

“I am sure there will also be those of you who will think of me as naïve.”We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe....