Amid intense political polarization, some corporate lawyers who support former President Donald Trump are choosing to do so discreetly to avoid alienating clients. An unnamed law firm leader, who donated five-figure sums to Trump and a Republican campaign committee this year, emphasized the necessity of keeping his support under wraps in a divisive atmosphere. “I am fully aware of many important clients that share my strong beliefs,” he stated, noting the risk of offending clients who oppose such views and might take their business elsewhere. Read more
The legal industry, which has historically leaned Democratic, particularly contrasts in its visible support for Vice President Kamala Harris, with prominent legal figures like Sullivan & Cromwell’s Rodge Cohen and Paul Weiss’ Brad Karp openly backing her campaign. Conversely, Trump’s supporters within Big Law remain reticent. George Terwilliger, a former partner at McGuireWoods who represented Mark Meadows in the US House Jan. 6 investigation, remarked on the erosion of political detachment in the legal profession, noting that concerns about client backlash have tangible consequences. McGuireWoods lost a corporate client during Terwilliger’s representation of Meadows, although the exact reasons remain speculative.
Law firms aim to avoid controversy, a sentiment echoed by Jon Sale of Nelson Mullins, who represented Rudy Giuliani during the Trump impeachment inquiry. Sale mentioned that clients do not necessarily shun Trump-associated firms but prefer to steer clear of potential controversy. Ethical concerns also contribute to the caution exercised by attorneys. Timothy Fisher of the University of Connecticut highlighted that Trump’s approach might push lawyers near the edge of professional appropriateness, thereby affecting the firms’ reputations.
The fallout from high-profile incidents further illustrates the industry’s stance. Foley & Lardner saw the resignation of Cleta Mitchell after her involvement in a call where Trump pressured Georgia officials regarding vote counts. Similarly, major firms like Seyfarth Shaw and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius distanced themselves from Trump following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
In the current election cycle, Trump has turned to smaller firms like Dhillon Law Group. High-profile attorneys such as Giuliani, John Eastman, and Kenneth Chesebro have faced license suspensions, adding to the wariness surrounding Trump representation. Large donations from Kirkland & Ellis partner Norm Champ and Sullivan & Cromwell partner Michael DeSombre to Trump-affiliated committees are recorded on public disclosure forms, yet their preference for privacy in political support remains uncertain.
The situation encapsulates a broader tendency within Big Law to prioritize business pragmatism over political advocacy, especially given the sensitive nature of client relations. This dynamic underscores the delicate balancing act attorneys must navigate in today’s increasingly polarized landscape.