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Former associates and witnesses say executive orders and threats pushed law firms to capitulate; some associates resigned
Summary
Several witnesses, including former Skadden associate Rachel Cohen, testified that a sequence of executive orders and threats against private law firms has intimidated corporate firms into refusing or restricting representations; two associates at Skadden resigned publicly and others organized anonymous protests and statements.
Rachel Cohen, a former associate at Skadden Arps, told the joint House–Senate hearing that the Trump administration's executive orders targeting law firms that had represented certain clients prompted some major firms to offer pro bono projects or other concessions to the White House rather than litigate the orders.
"It is easier to ignore what is happening than to acknowledge the fight that lies ahead," Cohen said, describing a series of court‑blocked executive actions against Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie and the subsequent responses by other firms. She testified that Paul Weiss offered $40,000,000 in pro bono…
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