Careers
Resignations Surge in BigLaw Firms Linked to Trump Agreements
April 16, 2025, 12:04 pm CDT
Rachel Cohen, a finance associate, was among the first to resign due to her firm’s stance toward Trump’s executive orders. (Image from Shutterstock)
Recent weeks have seen a notable increase in resignations at several prominent law firms intertwined with the Trump administration, stemming from disagreement over their legal agreements with the former president. Rachel Cohen, a finance associate from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, was among the first to depart, objecting to her firm’s collaboration following controversial executive orders.
Background of the Resignations
Cohen’s resignation followed the firm’s unwillingness to support legal actions against Trump’s measures, which restricted access for firms like Perkins Coie. After Skadden reached an agreement with the Trump administration to avert potential repercussions, two additional associates also resigned, signaling a growing trend among legal professionals discontent with their firms’ political affiliations.
A Broader Trend Across Multiple Firms
Reports indicate that a total of nine lawyers have left six out of nine firms that made similar deals with Trump. These firms include:
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
- Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
- Milbank
- Willkie Farr & Gallagher
- Kirkland & Ellis
- A&O Shearman
- Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
- Latham & Watkins
- Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
Under the terms of these agreements, firms are committed to providing pro bono legal services for initiatives aligned with Trump, with pledges ranging from $40 million to $125 million.
Notable Resignations
The following individuals are confirmed to have resigned from their respective firms:
- Rachel Cohen, Skadden
- Brenna Trout Frey, Skadden
- Thomas Sipp, Skadden
- Sam Wong, Latham
- Siunik Moradian, Simpson Thacher
- Jacqui Pittman, Kirkland
- Joseph Baio, Willkie
- Andrew Silberstein, Willkie
- Steven Banks, Paul Weiss
Executive Orders and Legal Ramifications
The executive orders impacting these firms often called for measures such as suspending security clearances for lawyers, restricting employees’ access to government buildings, and potentially impacting existing government contracts. These orders have prompted legal challenges from some firms, including Perkins Coie and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, resulting in temporary restraining orders against certain provisions.
Responses from Firm Leadership
In addressing these developments, Paul Weiss chairman Brad Karp remarked that the firm had to engage in an agreement with Trump to prevent an “existential crisis” that could have jeopardized its operations. He emphasized that even a successful legal defense might not assuage clients’ concerns about the firm’s standing with the administration.
The professional landscape within BigLaw is shifting, as a growing number of legal practitioners are reevaluating their affiliations based on personal and professional ethics in light of political pressures.
