Rachel Cohen:
There are two actions that Paul Weiss has agreed to that have garnered significant concern.
The first involves their commitment to provide $40 million in pro bono legal services to the Trump administration, specifically to support its Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. While it can be difficult to publicly criticize this initiative—after all, we all want to combat antisemitism—it’s essential to recognize that this task force has played, and will continue to play, a crucial role in actions such as the recent storming of Columbia University dorms and the detention of individuals with legal status for exercising their free speech rights last year.
The second point of concern is their willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration to review hiring policies concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion. This is not merely a commitment for the future; they have also agreed to evaluate past hiring practices, which is especially troubling given that Paul Weiss was previously known for its active recruitment based on diversity principles.
They specifically targeted Black law student organizations, assuring them that joining Paul Weiss would provide significant opportunities for advancement. Now, in contrast, they seem to be neglecting those very associates. This situation is particularly disconcerting in light of the fact that 20 firms have received an EEOC demand letter from the Trump administration regarding their hiring practices, which includes requests for personal information about applicants dating back to 2019.
The requested information includes names, phone numbers, and email addresses, with a particular focus on SEO Fellow applicants and 1L diversity scholarship applicants. Such programs have existed industry-wide until very recently and have served as a vital pipeline for non-white associates entering the profession.
It’s important to note that EEOC demand letters are not legally binding; there is no obligation to respond. My ultimate resignation was prompted by my position at one of the firms that received a demand letter, and their refusal to guarantee that they would not cooperate in providing that information.
I cannot continue to support an employer that would betray my colleagues of color in this manner.
